Dirty pop band Faux are releasing their latest single Body Heat and setting out on their first headline tour which includes a gig in Cheltenham.

Last summer Faux were invited to take part in the Teddy Rocks Festival alongside Twin Atlantic but it was playing on the same stage as their music heroes at Common People Festival that made a real impact on the musicians.

Lee Male, lead singer, said he was blown away watching from the side of the stage as melodic rock giants of the 1980s, Duran Duran, wowed the crowds. “Duran Duran were incredible live,’’ he said. “We grew up on that 80s sounds of Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran.’’ Lee says he really enjoys the festival experience as it so frantic and exciting, with a sense of urgency that you don’t get at gigs.

”Reading Festival was a big part of my life,’’ he said. “I love festivals, being out in the crowd and wandering about, although I can hear the strains of Glastonbury Festival from home.’’ The band, who are based in Southampton, have gone through a transformation in the last year moving up to a five-piece and changing direction in their music.

“We have been in a bit of a place with genres,’’ said Lee. “Now we have found our direction for the future and we hope everyone is as into it as we are. This is Faux now, a bit more rock, faster and more upbeat – dirty pop sums it up. It is still sing-a-long pop chorus and verse but with a mix of more alternative, more out there and with a bit more edge.’’ Lee has moved from both playing guitar and singing to concentrating on singing.

 All the musicians from Faux still have day jobs to fund their projects, Lee works for the Ministry of Defence, Luke on bass is a roofer, James on drums works for an audio company and guitarist Daly is a record producer, a handy acquisition to any band.

“It’s great to have Daly as our producer because normally you get set studio time and if you miss anything that’s it, while with us Daly will give us the chance to add and change things, but the there is also the danger of losing that raw excitement which of course is a whole new beast.’’ Faux are always writing new material and following the tour will start work on a new album or EP.

Lee said he started becoming interested in music and playing guitar at a Salisbury youth centre run by Keith Gale called Bass Connections. It consisted of five practice rooms costing a £1 a session to hire, where young musicians could practice and support each other.

Body Heat sums up the new sound from Faux, and Lee says the band are passionate about the single which they will be playing when they come to The Frog and Fiddle in Cheltenham on Saturday, February 3. For tickets or more details visit https://www.ents24.com/cheltenham-events/the-frog-and-fiddle/faux/5182790 - Flicky Harrison