FORMER Swindon musician Barry Andrews has launched a Kickstarter campaign to get his band back on the road.

Andrews, a former member of XTC, founded art-funk outfit Shriekback in the 80s — and the band went on to build a reputation for their energetic, lavish live performances.

Now, 25 years after they last played live, Andrews, Carl Marsh and Martyn Barker are hoping to hit the road again.

And if their bid to raise £35,000 by March 15 is successful, the Shrieks could be back on the road by June this year.

But what made them want to play live again?

“I guess it’s the last yodel of our DNA, making the most of the still-working body,” said Andrews. “Someone offered us a spot on a festival in Brussels to 16,000 people last year for loads of money but we couldn’t do it because we didn’t have a band. That was upsetting.

“Plus we’re looking forward to touring again — the free travel, parachuting into places and tweaking the atmosphere, eating at motorway services now they have M&S — a far cry from the Thrak-burgers of yore.”

The Kickstarter campaign went live last week and is already two thirds of the way to meeting its £35,000 target.

“The money will cover the costs of rehearsals, band wages, some recording, vans... all those kinds of things,” said Andrews. “It’s an expensive business.”

Marsh added: “Eight people means a lot of equipment, rehearsal, transportation, accommodation and everything else – but if we’re doing this we’re doing it right and we’re doing it big.

“Setting this up, getting it rolling from a standing start, is by far the biggest ask of this appeal.”

They have put together a line-up featuring the bulk of their Big Live Band from the 80s, with Mike Cozzi on guitar, Steve Halliwell on keyboards, Carl Marsh on vocals and guitar, Barry Andrews on vocals and keyboards, Martyn Barker on drums, ex PiL member Scott Firth on bass and Wendy and Sarah Partridge on backing vocals.

They already have three gigs lined up in Glasgow, Manchester and London and they plan to play some European festivals in the summer. After that, they hope to make it across the Pond to America.

Exactly what fans can expect from the new shows is still undecided, but it is likely there will be a mix of old and new material.

“There’s half a dozen new songs we now have from the new Work in Progress, which is our 14th album,” said Andrews.

“But I honestly don’t know what fans can expect — it’ll be interesting to see how our basic stamina holds up. I refuse to forego my little lie-down in the afternoon though, soundcheck or no!”

In exchange for their Kickstarter pledges, fans receive rewards. So for £10 or more, you get a download of the 2017 band playing songs from the new set in the studio.

If you want to part with £3,500 or more, you’re already too late for the platinum executive reward — flights for two, hotel stay, hanging out with the band and an invite to their after party — as it is already fully subscribed.

However, nobody will part with any money at all unless the band hits its £35,000 target.

So what happens if they don’t meet their goal by the deadline of March 15?

“I will return to my default setting — that of Ornamental Hermit... mmm, cosy,” said Andrews.

Anyone who wants to make sure he doesn’t get too cosy has until March 15 to donate to the kickstarter campaign. Just visit www.kickstarter.com and search for Shriekback Live.