PIONEERS of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) Saxon are undertaking their 35th anniversary tour and roll into Bournemouth 02 Academy next week.

The ‘Warriors of the Road’ tour is to heavily feature tracks from what is called their Holy Trinity of albums; Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm of the Law from 1980 and Denim and Leather from 1981.

The band formed in Barnsley as Son of a Bitch in 1977, but became Saxon soon after.

Twenty-six albums and ten million sales later, the band is still fronted by singer Biff Byford.

Guitarist Paul Quinn is another original member still in the band whilst drummer Nigel Glockler joined in 1982.

Doug Scarratt on guitar and bassist Nibbs Carter complete the line-up.

Biff puts the secret of their longevity to their unity.

He said: “I think that as a unit, we are all quite close. The chemistry is |quite good and we are loyal to each other.

“The line-up is stable because there’s no real pressure on the guys and it’s quite an easy band to be in.”

Actually, a lot of the pressures away from the music fall on Biff’s shoulders.

“I produce the albums and tend to take part in all the management and finance meetings as well.”

The set-list is dominated by the first three albums released by the band, which were unleashed on an unsuspecting public at the start of the 1980s, but what made those albums so special?

Biff is stumped. “I don’t know,” he admits. “You’d have to ask the eight million people who bought those albums.”

Thinking it through, he adds: “It was a special era of rock music and we kept on when many others fell by the wayside.

“Generally, the early years of a band are the most popular and we had massive success with those albums and the attendant single tracks.”

Singles chart success came with a number of tracks from the trio of albums which included Wheels of Steel, 747 (Strangers in the Night), Strong Arm of the Law and Never Surrender to name but four.

When asked about highlights of the last 35 years, Biff has no hesitation. “The whole of the 35 years. I couldn’t have had a better 35 years really.”

And he is looking forward to touring the UK again.

“It’s going to be a bit of a party for our 35th anniversary.”

He says, smiling: “We aren’t just playing songs from those three albums though, there’ll be a few songs we haven’t played for a while and we’ll do at least one different song every night.”

He admits the old songs are “all great to perform, but I enjoy playing new stuff as well.”

And speaking of which….

“We’re busy writing songs for our new album and I had a solo Prog Rock album released in August.”

“Plus we’re releasing a live DVD which should be out in time for the tour.”

And for the future?

“Well the new album and more touring. We like to tour.”

Saxon will be appearing at The Academy, Bournemouth on December 1.

Tickets are available from the Box Office on 0844 477 2000 and all the usual agencies.