IT’S been 30 years since The Christians’ divine blend of harmonies and melodies (with an undertow of anger) first hit the airwaves.

Their self-titled album called simply The Christians still remains Island Record’s highest selling album from any debut artist.

Three decades later, Sings & Strings is a re-interpretation of nine Mersey-Soul Christians classics (eight self-penned and The Isley Brothers’ Harvest For The World), plus You’ll Never Walk Alone.

“It’s pretty much what it says in the title,” says Garry Christian, the recognisable face and voice of The Christians (who originally performed with two of his brothers). “There’s my vocals, the Echo String Quartet from Liverpool - who added some youthful enthusiasm - plus four great singers from the AMC Gospel Choir in Birmingham, Andy Steele on piano, and backing vocals from my band members Joey Ankrah and Neil Griffiths."

The future looks bright. There’s a 30-date tour with Midge Ure and Altered Images which includes a visit to Bournemouth Pavilion on Friday, October 13 (“it looks like a mismatch but I think it'll work well”), as well as plans for a dedicated Sings & Strings tour in the New Year and a brand new Christians album with a totally fresh body of work penned by Garry to follow.

“People still pay to come and hear us put on a live show and that is what’s most important to me. I'll keep doing it till I drop - that suits me”.

If you miss the Bournemouth show on Friday you can still catch The Christians at Portsmouth Guildhall on November 9 and Salisbury City Hall on November 10.