When the bottom fell out of Toploader’s musical world the pop band threw in the towel and concentrated on their solo projects. Now the boys are back together, promoting their new album, and heading for Swindon.

Dancing In The Moonlight, a cover of a King Harvest song, became a global hit for Toploader and their first two CDs spent months in the top five of the UK album charts.

They also had some famous fans, such as Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Muse and Bon Jovi who encouraged the band and gave them support slots such as Wembley arena.

Joe Washbourn, lead singer, said: “The first time round we had the support of Paul Weller who liked what we were doing early on. We supported Bon Jovi in the stadium tour. It was nerve-wracking, an amazing learning curve. We stood at the side of the stage and saw these professionalsat work.’’ Toploader were the last British band to play at the old Wembley arena. “We went out for dinner at 2am afterwards and got kicked out for celebrating but it had to be done,’’said Joe.

The band recorded their second album Magic Hotel in Los Angeles and Joe was smitten with the vibe.

“I went for two weeks to write with some people and stayed for two years,’’ he said. “I cut my hair, stayed in Topanga Cuyan where Neil Young started out and had a great time writing. I got 100 songs in the bag including a Pycho-esque track for the film Skeleton Key which starred Kate Hudson in a shower scene.’’ The singer also took part in the TV series From Pop Star to Opera Star and says he had a great time and still warbles in the shower but was glad to get back to being a songwriter.

“When I was asked to do it I thought this isn’t Big Brother. I learned from the best but every Sunday evening I I was nervous standing there dressed in a tux. So now I am focussing on the band. It is fun to be writing for a band again,’’ he said.

The new album Only Human shows the change of direction for Toploader who were always regarded as a sunshiney pop band.

“It is 10 years on from the album Onka and we are more jaded than we were at 20-years-old, we all have families and are a bit more grizzly so our music is more indie than before.’’ The musicians are now enjoying being back in the tour van, hair grown back and getting the buzz of playing live. “We are like a bunch of teenagers again,’’ said Joe.

Toploader are no strangers to Swindon and will be playing at the MECA, Regent Circus on Friday April 21 from 7pm.

“We have been to Swindon lots of times and done the Magic Roundabout thing. We always have a good time,’’ said Joe.

Tickets are £12.00 Advance plus booking fee from 01793 495527.