IT is the biggest tour of their career so far, and Stone Foundation is coming to Glasgow for the first time – and playing one of the city's major venues.

Tomorrow the band will perform at the SECC.

Neil Sheasby is the bassist in the seven-piece band, which is based in Atherstone in Warwickshire.

He said: "This is the first time we have played in Scotland, never mind Glasgow, so what a debut gig the SECC will be.

"We have a night off before so we are going for a night out in Glasgow."

The band, who describe their sound as a blend of soul and rock, will be performing a half hour set of songs from their new album, Three Shades Of Stone Foundation.

They are supporting The Specials, a band which inspired them to get together in the first place.

Neil said: "This is our biggest tour without a doubt, especially because it is with The Specials which is a band that we always look at and that inspired us to be in the band in the first place so it is a really significant tour.

"We were elated, it's a major step up for us, not just the attention it brings but on a personal level, because you think all the hard work over the years is paying off when you get a bit of recognition like that."

This is tour could be Stone Foundation's big break.

Neil said: "You can get despondent at times when you aren't getting from A to B or not getting any further, but I think every band encounters that along the way.

"We just kept plodding on and believing in ourselves and dug our heels in, that's why we have the strength with each other to carry on regardless and now the patience and belief that everyone has shown in the band is starting to show dividends.

"It's just going to put us in front of so many people who haven't heard us before; that in itself is an exciting thing as well as being out on a sold-out tour with The Specials."

Inspired by bands like The Jam and Dexys Midnight Runners, Stone Foundation have been together for the last seven years.

With Spencer Hague on trombone, Lynn Thompson on trumpet and Ian Arnold playing the organ, they have a big band sound.

Neil Jones plays guitar and sings while Nikki Sandall plays lead guitar and Phil Ford is on drums.

"We are just like the Magnificent Seven really, the merry bunch along the way just all fell into line," said Neil.

"We need seven members because of the sounds, it involves two horns, trumpet and trombone and the organ player as well, that's the reason we wanted a big band, we knew it had to be that sort of sound."

Neil said their greatest achievement has been working with top performers.

Artists like US soul legend Nolan Porter and Grammy Award winner Joe Harris feature on their new album.

Neil said: "They are the people that we grew up listening to and to have Nolan and Joe collaborating with us on our album and doing live gigs – that is what we are most proud of and I think that's the highlight of our career so far."

But Stone Foundation will not be taking a break after the tour.

The band plan to hit the ground running by starting work on their next album and doing their own tour early next year.

n Stone Foundation are performing at the SECC in Glasgow tomorrow.