First record you bought?

Blur ‘Parklife’ on cassette. I remember asking my mum to get it when she went to the supermarket with my paper round money. I used to visit Malcoms Musicland & Townsend Records in Chorley too.

First gig you went to?

The Boo Radleys at Warrington Parr Hall. ‘Wake Up Boo’ was big at the time & I think I got to go because it was at a town hall type venue rather than a club.

First band you fell in love with?

Oasis. I queued up for tickets to Blackpool Empress Ballroom. Missed out but then managed to get them from somewhere called ‘Way Ahead Box Office’ amazing night. I’m really grateful to my parents for supporting my music obsession.

First song that inspired you?

‘Design For Life’ Manic St Preachers really stopped me in my tracks.

First song you wrote – any good?

‘Losing It’ about an imaginary break up & a green sweater. Chirpy little number

First gig you played – how’d it go?

Probably the stocks in Warrington. It’s difficult to remember. Went down well I think

First time you thought ‘yeah, hang on we’re onto something here’ ?

We did a gig at the barfly that was an A&R frenzy. Absolutely mental. Never seen it so busy in there. There was something in the air & I’ll never forget the feeling of being in the centre of that.

First musical hero?

Oasis were the first band I really got into but I think seeing Richard Ashcroft up on stage at Haigh Hall really inspired me that I could make music my living despite coming from a small town so I’d have to say him. Love Jeff Buckley too.

Starsailor released a 20th anniversary Deluxe Edition version of their debut album, Love Is Here, on 10 December. The new edition of the classic debut is available now.

Originally released in 2001, Love Is Here saw the band establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with, reaching No 2 in the UK album chart and winning them a worldwide fanbase. The album featured five UK Top 40 singles (Fever, Good Souls, Alcoholic, Lullaby and Poor Misguided Fool), with Alcoholic hitting No 10 in the chart.

The release features the original album with a bonus disc full of covers (songs by Bill Withers, Gram Parsons and Van Morrison); demos; session recordings; five brand-new, specially recorded 20th Anniversary Edition tracks; and newly written liner notes by the band.

Frontman James Walsh on the new versions featured: “With the new tracks we didn’t want to simply re-record the same versions so we worked on new arrangements & new sounds. Way To Fall is much more understated and gentle than the original but it works really well and Good Souls envokes the powerful song it’s turned into after numerous big live performances where it’s had to take on a larger life than the subtle studio recording on Love Is Here.”