For Garry Christian, lead singer with pop rock band The Christians, it is all about the harmony.

From his earliest memories of his mum singing Ella Fitzgerald songs while she was doing the housework, to the traditional round the piano sing-song with his 12 siblings, it was the harmony that was seeping into the singer's DNA.

"I love harmonies and growing up in a home where my older brothers all had these amazing records from The Temptations, The Beatles and The Four Tops all playing through the house, I was lucky,'' said Garry.

Also growing up in Liverpool he soaked up the musical vibes of the Cavern, the Merseybeat sound and his older sister Pam even dated John Lennon.

"It was only a three week romance, but it's a nice thing to have. I never met him because I was too young at the time,'' said Garry.

It was on the singer's twelfth birthday that his own musical journey really began, and he realised that he was destined to sing.

"My brother gave me a record of the incomparable Ray Charles and that was it. His voice was what I wanted to get to. I wanted to sing like that,'' said Garry.

In 1987 he began singing with his brothers Russell and Roger, and guitarist Henry Christian Priestman, which clinched the decision on the name - The Christians. Their first five singles all made the top 40 of the UK charts including Ideal World, Born Again, Harvest For the World and their debut album, The Christians, shot straight in at number two in the album charts.

The band collaborated with Paul McCartney and Gerry Marsden on a charity single, a new version of Gerry and the Pacemakers hit Ferry Across The Mersey, following the Hillsborough disaster. On The Christians latest album is a track called Big Red Sky which was also inspired by the tragedy.

"We have had quite a few tragedies in Liverpool it would be nice to breath some fresh air,'' said Garry.

The band will be singing Big Red Sky, and a few others also taken from their latest album entitled We, when they come to Swindon.

"We will play all the old hits and some stuff that we had never played live before. It is all relaxed, I am pretty comfortable in my own shoes on stage these days and we tell some anecdotes and stories,'' said Garry.

In 1995 the singer took a hiatus from the band for five years when he moved to Paris to pursue a solo project.

"I produced an album called Your Cool Mystery which was Mercury Prize nominated so I was happy with that. We still do a couple of tracks from that album,'' he said.

"In 2000 I came back and got in touch with Russell and Henry and we did an acoustic tour and it was a great boost for the ego and tribute to our music that the fans welcomed us back.''

Last year the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with a string of gigs and a tour with Midge Ure and Clare Grogan from Altered Images.

Garry says it was all down to his partner Emma who is also the band's manager.

"Emma is absolutely brilliant both as manager and partner. She worked us like dogs for our anniversary but it was really enjoyable,'' he said.

Garry now lives back in the UK, just outside Liverpool, and has a dog called Bertie who he says keeps him fit with all the walking.

The Christians are coming to Swindon's Meca in Regent Circus on Saturday, April 28. Tickets are £23 in advance and £28 on the door. For more details visit http://www.mecaswindon.co.uk - Flicky Harrison

Win tickets to The Christians

The Swindon Advertiser has teamed up with Meca to offer readers the chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to see The Christians.

To be in with a chance of winner one of two pairs of tickets, simply answer the following question:

In which city did Garry Christian grow up?

Send your answer along with your name, address, telephone number and email address to: SA The Christians Competition, SA The Christians Competition, Swindon Advertiser, Unit 1 & 2 Richmond House, Edison Park, Dorcan, Swindon SN3 3RB.

 Closing date for entries: Thursday, April 19, 2018, two winners will be selected at random from all correct entries. No cash alternative, Newsquest do not accept responsibility should the concert be cancelled for any reason. For full terms, visit: www.newsquest.co.uk/terms