Dexys to return without Midnight Runners

Wolverhampton frontman Kevin Rowland and original keyboard player Mick Talbot have been back in the recording studio.

Rowland, who was born in Wednesfield and spent much of his early life in Blakenhall, found fame with the band in the 1980s with hits such as Come On Eileen and Geno.

But the group, who were renowned for their trademark denim dungarees, split in 1986.

But Rowland, now aged 55, has spent the past seven days in a studio in central London with ex-Style Councillor Talbot. It is hoped their reunion will lead to the group's first album of original material since 1985's Don't Stand Me Down.

On his MySpace page before today's announcement, Rowland's most recent entry confirmed he is working on a new "musical project". His blog reads: "It's called Dexys, it's not called Dexys Midnight Runners. Everything up to this point was Dexys Midnight Runners, everything from here on in is Dexys.

"The reason is to signify that it's different from what was done in the past, but connected.

"What is it? Dexys is a musical project right now, it's not a group in the traditional sense. Different people will be brought in as required.

"There is no set line-up. I can never see a time when I would want to be limited to working with the same people."

Dexys Midnight Runners briefly reformed in 2003 for a greatest hits album, Let's Make This Precious, and tour. The band returned to their home city in October of that year, when they took to Wolverhampton's Civic Hall stage for the first time in 18 years.

The all-seater show was a sell-out and included the songs My Life in England, a tribute to Wolverhampton. Rowland also dedicated Because of You to Wolverhampton.

His online blog continues: "I am free to go anywhere I want to now, one thing is certain though, it wont be backwards.

"I have no desire to say the same thing again, that would be the end for me. Dexys is not about that and Dexys Midnight Runners never was.

"It was always about trying to move forward.

"We took components from everywhere, but we were completely opposed to resting on our laurels, and it's the same now."