BAND of Skulls come back to their roots for the launch of their latest album tomorrow.

Hundreds of fans are expected as the Southampton trio perform tracks from By Default and sign copies in store in the city's HMV in Above Bar Street at 5.15pm.

Over the course of three well received albums, Russell Marsden (vocals and guitar), vocalist and bassist Emma Richardson and drummer Matt Hayward have established a reputation as one of the UK's best guitar bands.

They're in demand worldwide, have successfully conquered America and had their music used for everything from Hollywood movies like The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Hangover Part II to top video games including Guitar Hero and Gran Turismo 5, via the popular TV shows Gossip Girl and Britain's Next Top Model.

They've appeared on Later...with Jools Holland and were the subject of a Channel 4 documentary showcasing their journey from jamming in Southampton bars to global tours.

This summer Band of Skulls have a slot at Glastonbury and support Stereophonics at Cardiff City Stadium sandwiched in between a string of UK headline dates in support of the album.

An Engine Rooms date ends their tour, but it all gets under way with the in store appearance to showcase what is a definite Southampton album.

"It's a pure Southampton record" says Matt as he breaks away from reading an interview with Iggy Pop in that day's Daily Echo.

"You know you can draw from this city, I think it's a really big inspiration to us for a lot of our material.

"When we wanted to start writing this record, we rented a church in Southampton. We're always trying to find interesting places to surround ourselves in.

"The sound of the church was great for that process. It carries the voice like a dream and it just sounds amazing. We could just hear the sound of the record as soon as we got there.

It means a lot to perform in the city, continues Matt, who grew up in Bassett.

"Playing the place where you grew up is really special to all of us."