ONE of Canvey's most famous exports - Dr Feelgood - are heading to their "spiritual home" at what was the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar, now the Oysterfleet Hotel.

The homecoming next week, will be welcome news for the army of fans who have been following the band since their 1970s number one album success.

Kevin Morris, Dr Feelgood's drummer since 1983, who lives in Westcliff, said the band is lucky to still have such a loyal fanbase, which means the annual gig on Canvey soil, is always a success.

It takes place on Saturday November 12.

"We are very lucky," he said, "we have had people follow the band since day one, but also now have those people bringing along teenager relatives.

"That's really nice to see, when the younger people are getting into the music."

I'm talking to Kevin as the band have just returned from a tour which included shows in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and France.

"Our secret is we never stopped" says Kevin, when I comment about how gruelling it must be. "The only time we stopped was when Lee died [Lee Brilleaux, front man, died from lymphoma at the age of 41 in 1994], when we stopped for a year, and I didn't know if we could continue, what with Lee being such a good frontman.

"But there was so much insistence from fans, that we decided to, and we have never stopped since.

"Some bands, they stop for a long time and reform and it's hard. We have kept going. If someone leaves, we replace them."

The band has just made a new album "the first one in years" says Kevin.

He added: "We have done a live album, and we did one of Chess covers, but this is the first we have done in years with all new songs on them.

"We're excited about it."

It's out this Friday. You can expect to hear a few off the new album during the 90 minute set at the Oysterfleet, but of course you will hear many of the old favourites too.

"I call them our skeleton in the set" says Kevin, "you have to play the songs that people will expect to hear."

Dr. Feelgood have had global success with their hit singles such as Roxette, Back in the Night, Milk and Alcohol, Down at the Doctors, She Does it Right, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator - which gave the group their first gold record.

The last album to feature Lee Brilleaux - Down at the Doctors, was recorded live at the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar, just two months before he died.

The current line up also features Phil Mitchell on bass (in the band since 1983), the return of the legendary Gordon Russell on guitar who also originally joined the band in 1983, and Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) who joined in 1999.

"We are like a family" said Kevin, "often past members will come back and dep [stand in] if people need time off.

"Our secret is we treat every gig like it's a party".