NINE Below Zero bring their Are We There Yet? 40th anniversary tour to Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre on Friday, October 25.

Formed in 1979 the band took their musical cues from the R&B greats of the 1960s, with a harder-edged sound more akin to contemporaries Dr Feelgood with a strong dose of The Yardbirds. In a meteoric rise to prominence on the British blues scene, Nine Below Zero signed to A&M Records in 1980 and released the seminal Live At The Marquee album. By the end of that year, they had moved from selling out the Marquee to selling out Hammersmith Odeon (now Apollo). High profile tours with The Who and The Kinks followed, as well as regular TV performances on The Old Grey Whistle Test and The South Bank Show and a guest appearance on The Young Ones. However, although their musicianship was reaching new heights, 1982s album Third Degree was the last album released by the classic line-up.

Founding members Dennis Greaves (guitar and vocals) and Mark Feltham (harmonica and vocals) will be joined by Dennis’ son Sonny Greaves on drums, Ben Willis on bass, Tom Monks on keys and the impressive female vocals of Charlie Austen. The tour coincides with the release of Avalanche, the band’s 20th album.

In recent years their diverse live act ranges from a classic four piece line up to the stripped-down acoustic duo of Dennis and Mark and their eight piece Big Band format - most recently with Squeeze on their UK tour - and this virtuosic six strong line up. The 40th anniversary tour is set to be a celebration of all things Nine Below Zero, from the adrenaline rush of Doghouse through to the soulful stomp of Don't Play That Song and new live favourites like Ter Wit Ter Woo.

Nine Below Zero also play the Old Fire Station, Carlisle, on Saturday, October 26.