THE die-hard musos of the Touchline live music club are thrilled to welcome a relatively new, yet already exciting band to their stage - Cats in Space.

The Cats have already been under the spotlight of the media since they sprang onto the scene in October 2015. And no wonder. The members have between them an impressive rich musical pedigree, having formerly been in successful bands and worked with greats such as 10cc, ELO, Queen, the Sweet, Ian Gillian, Asia and Mike Oldfield to name but a few, meaning you can expect their skill and showmanship to be second to none.

Their album - Too Many Gods - features special guest musician Mike Moran, famed for his work with various members of Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, George Harrison and David Bowie. It sold out of its initial run in only two weeks from release, and the vinyl edition is also heading towards a repress.

Their debut single - Mr.Heartache, co-written by Cats in Space founder member Greg Hart (who incidentally has written songs for the likes of Donna Summer, Cher, Asia and the Sweet), and 10cc vocalist Mick Wilson was released in September 2015, and featured special guest Andy Scott - legend from the Sweet - on guitar and vocals. The single was, and still is, gaining play on radio stations throughout the world, and views on YouTube hit 10,000 inside a few weeks.

But on with the Cats' genre; They're calling it "Power Pop Rock", and say their aim is to "unashamedly take you back to the heady days of the 1970s when bands like Queen, ELO, 10cc, Supertramp and Sweet, ruled the airwaves".

“My aim was simply to make an honest rock album that reflected all my influences growing up" says Greg. "The album I somewhat selfishly wanted to hear, using all the sounds and styles of the greatest decade for music.

"It comes from the heart, is real, is delivered with passion, and is without compromise. Above all it is delivered in a pompous over the top style like so many great bands used to have. "No one is doing this kind of epic ‘rock thing’ anymore, and that is why I think so many cats are digging us, because we are very real, and we believe in it totally. We are not retro, we are, as we keep getting told, fresh on the menu...and we have lots more to bring to the table!"

A second album is already being planned for later this year with bonus tracks already recorded, which the band say they will use for future campaigns to hopefully help push them even further into the limelight.

Cats in Space will be at the Touchline live music club on June 17. Support comes from Spring Heeled Jack.

Tickets are £11 from wegottickets.com.

The Touchline club is at Hockley Community Centre, Westminster Drive, Hockley, SS5 4XD.

The band

Paul Manzi - lead vocals, plays guitar and occasional keyboards. Has toured the world singing in the Sweet, Arena, Oliver Wakeman Band and Raw Glory.

Greg Hart - founder, guitarist, vocalist and keyboard ‘dabbler’. Wrote and co-produced the album. Has written songs for Donna Summer, Cher, Asia and recently alongside Cat writing partner10cc’s Mick Wilson they have written for the Sweet.

Steevi Bacon - drums, percussion. Has played with Ben Poole, Robin Trower and also plays and manages TooREX.

Dean Howard - guitars, and more guitars. Toured with T’Pau, Bad Company, Ian Gillan, Airrace and Toby Jepson.

Jeff Brown - bass guitars, vocals. Been the lead singer and bassist in the Sweet for over a decade. Also can be seen playing for legendary chart band The Tremeloes, and was once seen "playing in the tightest trousers possible" with UK rockers Statetrooper who featured Brian Robertson from Thin Lizzy.

Andy Stewart - keyboards, vocoders, pianos, sheet music arranger. Said to be "the only cat who not only can read and write music, but also can conduct an orchestra".