CHINA Crisis - one of Merseyside's biggest bands of the 1980s – celebrate what co-founder Eddie Lundon describes as a 'renaissance' with a show as part of Wirral's International Guitar Festival next week.

The group – whose many hits include African and White, Wishful Thinking and Black Man Ray - take to the stage at New Brighton's Floral Pavilion on Friday, November 14.

Created in Kirkby, the band was created by New Brighton-based guitarist Eddie and singer / keyboardist Gary Daly.

They have finished worked on a new album, called Autumn In The Neighbourhood. It is their first since 1994, Gary and Eddie continue to delight and excite audiences around the world.

Eddie Lundon told the Globe: "It's great to returning to the Guitar Festival.

"We've done it a few times over the years and this year’s line-up is phenomenal.

"The show is only a part of what has been a real renaissance year for us."

On the new album, he said: "It's good to come back with new material.

"The album is a real mix of stuff this time, nothing like we've done before.

"The title is a metaphor for our autumn years. We feel like we are now at a mature time in our lives.

"The album was recorded over a long period of time and features songs with mix of emotions; heartache to joy."

China Crisis were originally assimilated in the batch of new wave Liverpool acts of the late 1970s and early 1980s, led by Wirral's electro-pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and also including Liverpool bands The Teardrop Explodes, A Flock of Seagulls and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Success in the United Kingdom in the 1980s came in the form of with five Top 40 singles and three Top 40 albums, as well as commercial success in Western Europe, Australia and the Americas.

On the band’s success, Eddie reflected: "It was never a projectile upward climb from day one, success was never easy.

"Our career was like darts, hits and misses. It was over a long period of time, with hits on each album.

"When we came back from America we thought we'd made it, but for some reason it didn't turn out that way.

"However, we're back and it's been a busy time, with the album, tours and one of songs featured in the recent film Gone Girl."

The new album was produced following feedback from an online music music company Pledge, which found that fans wanted a new album.

Eddie said: "We put the album idea out to the fans and the response was so good, we decided to put the album together.

"The album has to reach a target of about 100 percent of people; 180 per cent said they wanted a new album.  That was fantastic." 

On appearing at the Floral Pavilion, Eddie said: "We did the Guitar Festival for a few years at Pacific Road, until it sadly closed and the Floral Pavilion last year.

"It's a great venue and what's even better is that it's just round the corner from my house. So, it will be good to walk home afterwards.”

Tickets for Friday’s show, which starts at 8pm, are from the Floral Pavilion box office on 0151 666 0000.

The Guitar Festival will be opened by three-times Grammy nominated, Brit award nominee and Ivor Novella winning singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading tonight (Friday, November 7) as part of her first and last solo world tour.

Ending on November 30, the three-week showcase features classical, folk, jazz, blues and rock music - showing the versatility and prowess of the guitar casts illumination and beauty as well as power and emotion.

As well as Joan Armatrading some of the finest guitarists currently on the scene will be taking part including Rick Vito, Raul Midon and Craig Ogden.

Among those  making return visits are Joe Brown, Paul Carrack, Andy Fairweather Low, Deaf School, Go West, China Crisis, Martin Simpson and Woody Mann.

Full details or book tickets are available from www.bestguitarfest.com or the box office on 0151 666 0000.