Nice guy Paul Smith gets all angry at last

the dire state of world affairs and crumbling political systems.

“Some songs are simple messages of solidarity and others are fuelled by anger at the elitist, established order of British society.

“Mainstream commentating is slowly becoming more right-wing. There are more fringe elements getting a voice ... people like Nigel Farage who isn’t even an MP, but is given a platform to say what he wants to say.”

The record also touches on the way society as a whole is changing.

“For instance, our language is becoming quite aggressive. Take the word ‘benefit’ and some people think ‘cheats’. Yes, being on benefits is given a bad name by a minority of people, but many more are quite embarrassed about it.

“I’m from a working class background, even though I have a lifestyle now which some people might regard as middle class. Football is like life. You yearn for something more and hope to progress, but sometimes it’s a fight to keep your head above water.”

Music also provides an escape from the pressures of life, and Smith is proud to provide people with that opportunity. “Just as going to watch your team can provide an escape, hopefully so can we. The new record is quite funky, and we want people to sing, dance, forget their worries.”

One man conspicuous by his absence on the forthcoming tour is bassist Archis Tiku, a founding member back in 2001. “When we were touring (fourth album) The National Health, Archis said he didn’t want to be on the road any more. Paul Rafferty, of Hot Club De Paris, filled in, and we kept in touch.

“But there’s been no big falling out. Archis still lives round the corner, we still see each other, and he knows he’s invited to any of our shows.”