LEGENDARY East Lancashire punk/new wave outfit The Stiffs return to their home town of Blackburn on November 11 when the original line-up play together for the first time in six years.

"The last time we played together was at the Cob Wall Working Men's Club," said vocalist Phil Hendrix. "So to come back and play at King George's Hall after all this time is something really special."

At the time when punk and new wave was at its height, The Stiffs were Blackburn's biggest success story.

Forming the band in 1977 when they were aged 15 and 16, Hendrix, Ian "Strang" Barnes, John McVitie and Tommy O'Kane went on to produce what was once described by John Peel as "the greatest record in the entire history of the universe" before being signed by record giant EMI and then moving on to the Stiff record label.

As the new wave movement was replaced by new romantics and synthesiser bands in the early '80s, The Stiffs' rise to fame was halted. But now fans will get the opportunity to see them again, for one night only.

"At the moment it's a one-off gig," said Phil. "But who knows?"

Of the quartet, Phil is the only band member still involved in the music industry, doing some producing and recording at his home studio and writing sleeve notes for other artists.

He was approached with the idea of a gig by Pete Eastwood, who runs the website Punks Reunited.

"I didn't think it would happen," said Phil. "But all the others said let's do it.

"We have been rehearsing for the past 12 weeks although, living 200 miles away in Lincolnshire, I have been there when I can. But they can do it without me. I just come in over the top," he laughed.

"It was very weird to do the first rehearsal. We set up the equipment, went 1,2,3,4 and we were off like we'd not been apart."

With singles such as Volume Control and Goodbye My Love, The Stiffs were always at the power pop end of the punk spectrum.

"I suppose we came to prominence too late, as guitar bands were going out of fashion," said Phil.

Legend has it that EMI, looking to promote one band to be the next big thing, chose Duran Duran rather than The Stiffs.

"I don't think that's strictly true," said Phil, "although we were in the office of an A & R man from EMI when we saw these guys with purple bouffant hairstyles in the next office. When we asked who they were he said they were called 'Dooran Dooran - our new signings'. Twelve months later they were playing Madison Square Garden."

At the November 11 gig, The Stiffs will be supported by Fast Cars and Dustin's Bar Mitzvah. Special guest for the evening will be Dave Philp, lead singer with The Automatics, who will be flying in from his home in LA for the night.

"We are going to be his backing band and then go on to do our own stuff," said Phil.

"We will be delving right back into our past and playing songs we haven't played live for over 25 years."

The Stiffs play King George's Hall, Blackburn, on Friday, November 11. Details from the box office on 01254 582582.