FANS of acoustic roots heroes Show of Hands will be glad to know they're still crazy after all these years.

Two decades after they first got together, they're on the road again with a 48-date UK tour.

But when one half of the duo, songwriter Steve Knightley, answered the phone from his hotel room he wasn't exactly sure where he had just woken up.

"We're in a Moat House somewhere on the banks of the Thames, but we got here really late last night and I couldn't say where it is. I'll have to pop out soon and check," he laughed.

On Sunday, Show of Hands -- Steve and musical partner Phil Beer -- should have no trouble identifying their surroundings.

The veterans of sell-out dates at the Royal Albert Hall and the Sidmouth International Music Festival will be playing the only school hall on their marathon tour -- in Chorley.

Steve said: "We've never believed we're too big for any stage. We like to mix up the large venues with the small ones.

"It's a great way of keeping in touch with as many of our fans as possible and, anyway, we like the intimate atmosphere."

The pair are still probably the UK's most successful acoustic roots duo. Together they have sold out shows around the country, and as far afied as India, Australia and North America.

Steve also recalled collaborations with music legends like Mick Jagger and Mike Oldfield.

When they guested on one of Mick's albums everyone knew who was in charge, Steve said. "He was great, but there was an aura; a sense of absolute power. He knew exactly what he wanted -- and he got it."

The acoustic pair's physical roots are embedded in deepest Devon, where they return for creative resuscitation when the tours are over. But Steve said: "There's a dark side to country life. You can take a sort of Thomas Hardy bleak view of it, and we try to reflect that in some our songs."

Show of Hands will appear at St Michael's School, Chorley, on Sunday. Details 01257 515599.

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