DASHING back from a gig in Belgium to watch the World Cup final, a burst tyre nearly blew the careers of promising East Lancashire band The Space Monkeys. CLIVE LAWRENCE caught up with the group as they talked about their moment of motorway terror.

ROSSENDALE drummer Chas Morrison this week re-lived the nightmare motorway crash which wrecked a tour van and left The Space Monkeys' bass player Dom needing hospital treatment.

The Factory Records outfit, led by singer singer Richard McNevin-Duff, were in the van when it careered across a motorway as the band returned from playing the Dour Festival in Belgium.

The horrific accident happened just weeks before the band's performance at next weekend's Hollands Sound '98 event in Accrington.

Chas, of Edenfield, said: "We were almost home on the M62 when one of the rear tyres blew out. The van was packed with gear and it went out of control and rolled right across the road."

The van was a write-off and injured bass player Dom Morrison had to be stretchered away.

The rest of the group, who hail from Bury, Middleton and Heywood, amazingly escaped unhurt. Dom, who is no relation to Chas, was taken by ambulance to Oldham Royal Infirmary suffering from whiplash, cuts and bruises.

He is now recovering and was well enough to get back into the swing of things when the band played in Manchester last weekend.

Group manager Andy McNevin-Duff, who was driving the van, said: "We left straight after the show to get home in time for the World Cup Final.

"After the accident the football just didn't seem that important. We were just glad to get out alive."

The five-piece's first performance in Accrington - at the Brooks Club on Friday, August 14 - could well be their only appearance in the East Lancashire town.

Since their debut album The Daddy Of Them All was released last autumn they have played to growing crowds across the world.

Their popularity is growing quickest in America and they have replaced Factory old boys Happy Mondays as the favoured listening of TV presenter and record company boss Anthony H Wilson.

The band have also found time to record the demos for what they hope will be their second album.

Fans at the Accrington show look likely to be given a taste of the new material, bashed out on an eight-track demo at Bury's Rebel Bass Studio. One tune to watch out for is Brave New World, which blends a brighter pop sound with light hip-hop and a quite anthemic feel.

Despite the crash, the band are ready to carry on with their busy schedule.

"Touring suits all of us," said Chas.

The lads won't be hanging around after their Sound '98 performance.

Less than 12 hours after they finish their set in Accrington they'll be back on stage entertaining fans in Cornwall.

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