AS Kaiser Chiefs prepare to play their first show in Blackburn next week, bassist Simon Rix, admits that the date will be a special one for the band.

“I’m really looking forward to playing Blackburn as we haven’t played there before,” he said. “I’m also excited to be playing the older stuff as it’s been six months since our last gig as we have been concentrating on the new album, so we’re all raring to go.”

The new album - the band’s seventh - is due for release at some point this year and 2019 is shaping up to be a really busy one. After the tour which seems them come to Blackburn and Manchester, they have a series of summer festival dates lined up and a homecoming show at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground in June as part of the team’s centenary celebrations.

Formed in 2000 originally as Parva, the band morphed into Kaiser Chiefs and in so doing became one of the most successful British rock bands with number one singles and albums to their name.

“Originally we were all in different bands, and getting together was a gradual process.” said Simon. “We all wanted to write songs and although Parva was reasonably successful, it had run its course.

“But we all enjoyed being in a band together as we’re all mates – so we reinvented ourselves as the Kaiser Chiefs.”

The band took their name from the South African football team for which former Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe had played for

“The majority of us are Leeds fans,” said Simon, “but we just thought it was a great name. No-one could really understand Parva, but the name Kaiser Chiefs is strong. ”

The band - Ricky Wilson on vocals, Simon on bass, Andrew White on guitar, keyboard player Nick Baines and drummer Nick Hodgson (who left in 2012 to be replaced by Vijay Mistry) - soon found their distinctive sound.

“Nick and Ricky were DJ-ing at a club night and playing what I’d call British guitar music, which is what we wanted to do.

“We were into new wave and post-punk,along with bands like The Kinks and The Clash, but to begin with we played all sorts of styles. The thing that made us successful as Kaiser Chiefs was that we had a direction in which we wanted to go.”

The band struck gold with hits like Ruby and I Predict A Riot, but they don’t rest on their laurels and are taking their time with the new album.

“We haven’t got a release date yet,” Simon explains.

“It’s pretty much finished, but not quite. We’re taking a long time over it because we want it to be brilliant.

“We always want to move on, but still be Kaiser Chiefs. We don’t want to do the same things or alienate the fans. There are some great songs on the album, which is already my favourite since the first couple.”

Will the new songs feature on the upcoming tour?

“Because it’s not out, we won’t go crazy with it. Maybe three or four songs each night, but a different selection at each gig.”

And the rest of the show?

“Well, there are some songs we have to keep in, but because the venues are smaller we’ll be mixing up the set a bit and playing some songs we haven’t played in a while. It keeps it fresh for us and the fans.”

Kaiser Chiefs, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Thursday, January 31, details from 0844 847 1664 or www.kinggeorgeshall.com and the O2 Apollo, Manchester on Friday, February 1, 08444 777 677