A band with its roots in Swadlincote and Burton have a new single out tomorrow (Friday) - after taking a 35 year holiday.

But while Whizz For Atoms may have started out locally, their song Touch With Love was recorded in place around the world where the band members now live.

The band - who used to practice at the Railway Pub next to Eureka Park - have been signed up by Cherry Red Records

This comes after a 35 year 'holiday' and our single "Touch With Love" will be released on the label tomorrow (Friday).

You can take a look at the video of the song above.

The 1980s band burst onto the UK music scene in the summer of 1984 with a high profile signing to Graduate Records who had recently become the first UK independent label to score a top 10 hit when they launched UB40 on the path to international stardom.

TV appearances, radio play - both nationally and internationally - as well as extensive touring around the UK college and club venues followed for The Atoms until they finally decided to call it a day and go their separate ways in the winter of 1986.

As the members settled into a life outside of the music industry, they slowly drifted apart to places as far away as New York, Australia and the Fiji Islands.

Fast forward 34 years and they are back with a song which is all about trying to find the perfect partner in a world of isolation - something that perfectly echoes the struggles faced by many in today's Covid affected society.

"The song was written in the 80s about the then emerging computer/video dating trend," said bass player Andrew Redfern, who grew up in Midway and went to both Belmont and Granville schools.

"But when I listened to it recently, I realised it was more relevant today than ever, as more and more people rely on apps or web sites to find love."

That was the catalyst for bringing the band back together almost four decades after they had drifted apart.

Redfern set about recording a backing track from his home in The Fiji Islands and sent it to lead singer Ian Hewitt in the UK.

"When Ian sent back his recording and I heard his golden vocal cords once again, that was it," added Redfern.

"I just knew we had to get the band back together and record the song properly".

But with the members scattered around the four corners of the earth, recording was no easy task.

"We're all in different time zones," said Ian. "So often it was a case of recording your part and then waiting until members elsewhere were able to record and send theirs for everything to be mixed together.

"It also meant that when someone had a new idea and we wanted to try something different, we would often have to wait for someone else to wake up, have a listen and come back with the new version".

Redfern added: "It was certainly interesting', but the recording of the music was nothing compared to the recording and editing of the video".

Ian said: "The UK was in a total lockdown. So recording the outdoor scenes responsibly and legally, literally meant recording while taking your daily outdoor exercise which drew a few strange looks from passers-by, particularly for the brass section, it's not every day you see someone whip out their horn in the middle of the woods!"

But somehow, the band managed it and only a couple of weeks after putting the video on You Tube, they were snapped up by Cherry Red Records one of the UK's leading independent record labels.

Cherry Red Records was founded in 1978 by Iain McNay and their list of artists reads like an A-Z of music history including the likes of: ABC, Aretha Franklin, BB King, The Buzzcocks, The Byrds, Carly Simon, The Cutting Crew, Deep Purple, Duke Ellington, Dusty Springfield, Ertha Kitt, The Emotions, Earth Wind and Fire & Elvis to name but a few.

After signing the band Cherry Red's Director of Business Affairs & Licensing Matt Birstow said: "It was a great surprise when we heard that Whizz for Atoms were back in action.

"They were one of the exciting UK bands to emerge in the 1980s, so when they approached us with their new song in the 2020s, naturally we were curious to have a listen.

"Although they have maintained an 80s sound, we reckon their music is as fresh and relevant today as it was ever and we are delighted to welcome them on board with Cherry Red Records".

The official release date for the single is November 27, but it has been available for pre-order since November 13.

Will the band take another holiday now they've released this single? "No way", says drummer James Woodward. "We're already busy working on new recordings which includes a mixture of new material and re-workings of some old favourites"