July 21, 2008 13:08

Richard Ashcroft: 'The Verve is not 'Mills And Boon''

Singer admits to inter-band tensions

Photo Gallery: The Verve

The Verve's frontman Richard Ashcroft has confirmed that there are still inter-band tensions running within the group - despite them reuniting for a new album and various live shows and festival appearances this year.

Speaking to BBC 6Music, Ashcroft said that there was still "baggage" in the band and that reuniting has not been plain sailing.

The band split up for the second time in 1999 after rumours that the band members had fallen out, and that guitarist Nick McCabe could not tolerate life on the road anymore.

"Obviously there's baggage and things that you've got to sift through," Ashcroft said. "It's not some [romantic novel] 'Mills And Boon' scene running down the beach as the sun sets. But it is the case that these four people make a unique sound together."

McCabe added: "All of us have grown up. We've had a lot of time to think about things, but hopefully we're older and wiser, and it just seemed to me that I put a huge chunk of my life into this and there is no way that I would turn my back on it if there was ever a chance of it working again."