THEY’VE been tearing it up for the best part of 40 years, since riding the seismic tsunami created by the punk rock earthquake with their high energy blues.

Inspired by the raw sounds of Chicago and energy of The Who, cult blues band Nine Below Zero are heading to Bridport, and they’re going all out for a soulful show at the Electric Palace on Friday, December 2.

Original members Dennis Greaves (vocals and guitar) and Mark Feltham (vocals and harmonica) are still fronting the band which has now evolved into a red-hot eight-piece complete with horns.

Nine Below Zero will be touring their latest album for the show. Speaking to Dennis ahead of the gig, he said the band are keen to bring some fresh new tunes to the town.

Dennis said: “We are bringing the eight piece band and sound of 13 Shades of Blue – featuring sax, trumpet and keyboards.

“We’ve been around 30 millions years but this is a new album which has been really well received.

“When you have been around for so long it’s really important to keep things fresh and not go stale and not become a tribute band to yourself. You’ve got to keep everyone stimulated.

Through his passion it’s clear this is one musician who will never let his band’s sound go ‘stale’.

“You should always keep creating and not be accepting and stay in one place.”

It’s that passion which is running delicately through each song on 13 Shades of Blue.

From Don’t lay your funky trip on me to I’m gonna keep what I’ve got, Nine Below Zero are taking their experience for the blues as an undertone and shading in the rest with their zest for something new.

Dennis said: “It’s a journey with music, it’s like being a craftsman – you get better with age. As a bluesman you never stop learning – it’s the way the blues is.

“With the blues there is room for improvisation. It’s a genre that is very much all about the soul and as you get older you gain a maturity and knowledge for the blues.”

The band have been busy touring the country with their latest album. But this is their first stop in Dorset.

Dennis said: “Our sax player was born down that way so we’ll have our own local expert. We always like to know a lot about where we are playing and the people so we can have a banter.

“One of the great things about our job is we get to travel around and meet new people and explore new places so it’s a really wonderful job.”

n Nine Below Zero, at Bridport Electric Palace on Friday, December 2 at 8pm.