NEIL Ivison has returned to his Midlands roots.

The former frontman of Seymour, the Fever and the Shakedown hails from Bromyard and is a well-known face from the Worcestershire music scene.

In 2005, he moved to London where he worked at the heart of the industry and got the chance to tour the world as a production manager for chart-topping groups including the Klaxtons, Towers of London, and Corrine Bailey Rae.

Then, 12 months ago, he quit the big city, feeling that his own music was being neglected. He is now back in the region with new outfit Neil Ivison & The Misers and a new album in the pipeline.

"There's a big country influence, not yee-ha country, just because I'm from the county.

"I'd describe it as the Stones meets Ryan Adams meets the Faces, which is a sound I'm really pleased with and Dave (Draper - producer) has captured the live essence of the band perfectly "I really wanted to take my time with this record, as in the past I've always put a lot of pressure on myself to get things recorded and released quickly.

"But this time I decided it'd take as long it needed to take to be right and I think the finished album really reflects this".

The Misers are better known as Adam Barry on keyboards, Tom Evans on guitar, George Elliott on bass, and Carl Lewis on drums.

At the end of 2007, the fivesome decamped to ffg Studios in Bredon, near Worcester, and began work on the new album. Tracks will be previwed when the band play Worcester's Marr's Bar in June.

For more and gig dates go to www.myspace.com/neilivisonmusic.