RARELY off the road since the demise of Ian Dury in 2000, but now with Derek Hussey fronting the band, the Blockheads have a legion of fans of all ages. Along with some new material the band will be performing old favourites at Watford Colosseum. Derek ‘The Draw’ Hussey, Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher still remain from the original band with John Roberts on drums and saxophonists including Gilad Atzmon, Terry Edwards and Dave Lewis.

Q. What makes your music as relevant today as it was when Ian was alive?

A. Being relevant is increasingly difficult. It’s easier to be relevant when you are a charting band and flavour of the month. The very nature of songs and music is one of development. . . new ideas, new attitudes. Not many artists can stay relevant beyond four or five years, but they can remain inspirational in their creativity and performance. We remain good entertainment.

Q. How do you think the music industry has changed since the 1970s?

A. It has changed beyond recognition. Nothing is the same. Some changes for the good and some initially bad! On the positive side the changes have put more power in the hands of the artist…which can only be a good thing.

Q. What were the best parts performing then and how is this tour different?

A. The best was being travelling troubadours with no responsibilities. The Stiff Tour of 1977 was a well-timed and planned enterprise by one of the first successful independent labels. It had a ‘break every rule possible’ attitude …. all piled into one large coach playing throughout the UK. These days we mostly travel separately and sedately in our cars to the gigs making sure we don’t exceed the speed limit relying on the mighty internet to herald our arrival in the area.

Q. How important do you think it is to reinvent your previous work for new audiences?

A. We can never do live performances without playing our most popular works, which never gets tedious. There is a glorious release of emotion throughout the audience and band on the delivery of favourites such as Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll, What a Waste, Clevor Trever, Reasons to be Cheerful and Hit me with your Rhythm Stick etc, but we consciously try to pepper the set with new material from our recent albums. It is important for us to continue to be creative and constructive and not rest on our laurels…however meagre.

Q. How has Derek being the frontman shaped the band?

A. Derek has brought a more personable and focussed sound and face to the band which serves The Blockheads well.

Q. Ian was a very handsome chap. Who is the band pin-up these days?

A. Norman Watt-Roy.

Q. How much were your fans involved in enabling you to create new videos?

A. The fans were completely involved and enabling. It was a very humbling experience also in that the generosity and encouragement of donors on every level, not only financial but of offers of time and expertise, was at times overwhelming.

Q. How did it feel to throw the new album out there for people to collaborate and contribute to?

A. It turned out to be a great deal of fun initially and, by giving our work away, we were the coolest band on the planet, for about a fortnight! Then we had to deal with the onslaught of over a hundred plus remixes to listen to and assess. We were well happy with the result and everyone had a creativity massage.

Q. The Blockhead logo is enjoying a resurgence - what's the story behind the design?

A. The Blockhead Logo was commissioned by Ian in 1978 as a band marketing tool and its inspirational design was created by Barney Bubbles, then working for Stiff Records.

Q. Do you have a favourite track from your back catalogue?

A. We probably all have a different take on this question but one of my own favourites is Honeysuckle Highway from the Mr. Lovepants album.

Q. What do you think Ian would think about your resurgence in popularity?

A. Bemused…

Q. What's next for The Blockheads?

A. We perform 50 or so live performances a year and are involved in compiling a history of the individual members of The Blockheads, before, throughout and after the heady hit years. It will be called Beyond the Call of Dury, hopefully ready for spring 2016.

Q. What would you say to people who haven't heard your music before?

A. Get down to Watford Colosseum on Saturday night and fill your head, heart and soul with something old, something new, all original and, at times, a little blue funk/punk.

Blockheads, Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Rd, Saturday, October 17, 7.30pm. Details: 01923 571102, watfordcolosseum.co.uk