A HULL band who were involved in a motorway crash that destroyed their equipment are returning to perform in the city.
When Madness tribute band Badness perform at Piper, in Newland Avenue, west Hull, on Saturday there will be a double cause for celebration.
As well as marking two decades of ska, the band are also marking a return to normal after a serious crash two months ago while on their way to a gig in London.
A 44-tonne lorry smashed into their tour bus on the M1, leaving the band members battered and bruised and a lot of their equipment ruined.
Mike Watts, vocalist and trumpet player, and the only original member of the band, said: "I was driving and we were going from a gig in Nottingham on the M1 when I heard this almighty bang.
"The lads were in the back chatting and having something to eat. They were pounded about, suffering chest injuries and whiplash.
"Our PA system, drums and lights were all ruined and it wrote the bus off."
Mr Watts said the outcome could have been worse if the band members had been in the beds on the tour bus when the crash happened at 2am.
"All the beds were at the back of the bus and they were completely crushed," he said.
"Luckily, the band stayed up that night, or it could have been a lot worse.
"But we've been on the go for 20 years and driven countless miles and this is the first time anything like this has happened.
"The support from people all over the country has also been overwhelming."
Despite the crash, the band have remained on the road, only cancelling the gig they were due to play on the day of the crash.
"We kept the show on the road," said Mr Watts.
"It takes your mind off what happened and now I feel we are getting back to normal.
"It's a big thing to happen to any band, but we were all intent on carrying on, as it's what we love doing.
"I feel this gig at Piper will be a chance to celebrate our 20th anniversary and also to mark a new chapter after this crash."
Mr Watts is joined in the band by keyboard player Matthew Jackson, bassist Jamie Moore, drummer Paul Marshall, guitarist John Cuddbertson and saxophonist Clark Newton.
Mr Watts said: "It doesn't feel like 20 years since Badness first started as a professional band. We're still going strong.
"I still feel the same age as when I started the band. I get the same rush as I did in 1994. If I didn't get the buzz, I wouldn't continue doing it.
"Next year, we've got a deal with P&O cruises from Southampton and will be going all over Europe. It's really good for us."
The gig at Piper on Saturday takes place from 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £10, and are available from Piper or from the Slave To The Beat drum shop in Beverley Road.
Visit www.badnessaka.co.uk for more information.
BADNESS formed in July 1994 and quickly became one of the top Madness tribute bands.
Within six months, the band were selling out venues across the UK.
Originally a seven-piece outfit consisting of guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet, keyboards and vocals, they became six, with front man and vocalist Mike Watts taking over on the trumpet.
The band play songs by Madness, Bad Manners and The Specials, as well as their own songs.
They won a National Tribute Award last year.
