He may have travelled the world playing the guitar in a hardcore punk group but for one former member of Watford band Gallows, there is no place like home.

Steph Carter has returned to his roots in Hemel Hempstead and now teaches at West Herts College in Watford after famously making the tough decision in 2013 to leave the band he founded alongside his brother Frank – who sang vocals - and other guitarist Paul Laventure in 2005.

He will soon be releasing new music with his group Ghost Riders In The Sky, in which his American wife Gillian is also a member, but for now he is content inspiring the next generation of Watford music stars.

The 32-year-old is a HND programme leader and curriculum developer at the college and is passionate about proving to students that “Watford is a hub full of music and creativity”.

He said: “It is a difficult task to get into the music industry but I want to show students it is attainable as long as they put the effort in.

“I am also keen to show there have been so many great and talented bands to come out of Watford including Enter Shikari and The Hunna.

“When I moved back here, I visited the college and was just blown away by the facilities there and knew it’d be great to get involved.”

Steph moved back to Hemel Hempstead after living in America for a while with Gillian - who grew up just outside Washington DC – as he was amazed that the area “never changes”.

He explained: “I have spent my whole life travelling the world but there is no place like Hemel Hempstead – it will always be home for me.

“This area has a vibrant music scene that was great for when we were trying to break into the industry by playing gigs, such as the Boxmoor Arts Centre in Hemel. However, the music scene is very different these days as there used to always be a sell-out show to attend but things are different now due to social media and the internet.

“Watford is still promoting music in interesting ways though such as the LP café and bands can also play at the Flag pub near the Junction station, which is good as there is nothing like hearing live music. I want to show students there is a lot of music heritage in the area and they are the future of the music scene.”

Steph admits that he does miss playing in Gallows as “once you’re a musician it is always in your blood”.

But he has no regrets about leaving in 2013 as he felt the band was a going in a direction he was not comfortable with after his brother Frank left two years earlier.

He said: “Frank may have left in 2011 but we decided the band was not finished yet, so we got someone to replace him and carried on. However, it got to the point where the music we were creating was not the same and I felt it was time for me to hang up my boots.

“We’re all on good terms though and still spend time together – particularly as Frank still lives in Hemel Hempstead too.

“Those guys were an important part of my life and although we weren’t in a good place when I left, we’re on a good path now.”