A ROCK band that toured with Supertramp in the 1970s are back in action.

Four-piece Tonge, who originate from Hollingbury, Brighton, wrote their own songs in their heyday though they never formally released their music.

They played many venues across Brighton and supported Supertramp when they played their first shows in England in Worthing Assembly Hall – though cannot recall whether it was 1973 or 1974.

They also supported Roy Wood and Wizzard on Worthing Pier in shows secured by their manager Ian Grant, who later managed The Stranglers.

Decades later, the four have reunited and are due to release their debut album with a launch party at The Railway pub in Portslade tonight.

Lead vocalist Albert Grinyer said “We’re all local boys – well, local old men. Our main reason for doing this is because we’re still alive and our music is our legacy.

“We thought we were too good not to have something recorded properly.”

The band – Albert, bassist David Barnard, lead guitarist Eric Wright and drummer Mooie Moore – first got together in the 1960s when they were in their teens and played local youth clubs.

They made a name for themselves in the early 1970s as they moved to larger venues, playing pubs and clubs in Brighton such as the King and Queen and The Hungry Years.

Their songs were inspired by the rock bands of the era, including The Who, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple.

At one stage, they had been close to sharing a stage with Rod Stewart on his headline tour, however the plans fell through.

Soon after, family life took over and the band went on an indefinite break in 1975.

Albert said: “We were all doing different things.

“I was a fireman, David and Eric both became professional musicians. But we all remained friends, even after all these years.”

Brightonians may recognise bassist David more recently as a producer at Spiral Sussex, a studio and media centre for adults with learning difficulties.

Now all in their sixties, the men have reunited to release their album, which is named after the area their musical careers started all those years ago – Hollingbury.

Albert said: “We named it Hollingbury because it’s always been very special to us.

“It’s where we began.”

The album features guest appearances from flautist Charlotte Glasson and sitar and acoustic guitar from Brighton musician Beau Barnard.