MR SHIRAZ fans have had a longer wait than most for a new album.

Almost a decade into their careers the Huddersfield band’s latest album release was their 2005 debut.

But it’s not that they’ve been lazy.

In the seven-and-a-bit years since their first album, ‘I’m Invincible, I’m Built Like a Sherman Tank, Somebody Try and STOP ME’, they have been gigging flat out and building a strong fan base.

Founder and frontman, Mikey Baird, said a shift in direction and a change of the line-up had led them to scrapping their planned follow up album in 2010.

He said: “We decided we were going to release our third album before our second album.

“We put it on the back burner and recorded a whole new one.

“We weren’t happy with it – Karl had just joined the band and we had decided heavier was the way to go.

“The new stuff still sounds like us, but it’s big choruses, big riffs, loud and very catchy.

“Whereas these tracks sound like a band, some of the ones we didn’t release sound like a track by any band who are just playing rock songs.”

Guitarist, Karl Smith, added: “When I joined it was still very much a ska band.

“It was just us finding a new direction.

“We changed things a bit.”

Karl admitted the transition to a rockier sound had been a tough process.

He said: “It was gutting to come to the realisation that we needed to change stuff as we just wanted to put something out.

“But at the same time if we’d have put it out it would’ve been crap compared to what we’ve got now.”

Mikey added: “We had to be pretty brutal and just say no – take it away.

“It was like putting your dog down, but a dog that you don’t really like!”

While Karl said: “It’s become a bit of a joke that we’ve taken so long.

“While it’s taken so long doing this album I’d rather spend a bit more time getting it right than release something bad.

“It’s been a weird transition period but at the same time it’s still been fun.

“We still enjoyed doing it and we are going to release an EP really quickly after this album.

“Everything’s settled now, we know where we’re going musically now.

“We’re content with the line-up and the style and we know what we’re doing going forward.”

The band said the rapid progression of the rock and metal scene had also played its part in sending them back to the proverbial drawing board.

Karl added: “There’s a lot of really good bands out there at the minute.

“You see them and you think wow, we’ve really got to up our game.”

Mikey said: “It’s good, it makes everybody else try harder.

“You’ve seen over the last years how everything’s gone with record sales.

“Now we’re getting a lot more good tours in the UK as it’s the only way for bands to make money.

“And the only reason someone’s going to come see you live is if you’re REALLY good.”

The five-piece now have exciting plans for pushing forward in 2013.

Having had their fingers burned by a label before the band have plucked up the courage to take the DIY approach.

Mikey said: “We were going to go with a European label to release the new album but the more I looked at it, I realised we could do it better ourselves.

“So we’ve set up our own label, Wooderson Records, sorted out full distribution, and got a really good PR campaign in place.

“Gig wise I want to get back abroad this year.

“We’re playing with Longbeach Rehab, who are the guys out of Sublime and Bad Brains, at Camden Underworld.

“That’s awesome.

“We’re going to be doing a lot more this year, spreading out all over England.

“I also want to get to Europe, go back to America and I really want to do Download as the lineup is amazing.

“I think we can stand up with any band out there so I think we’ve got a good chance of getting some festivals.”

Whether or not the wait for the next album takes another seven years, Shiraz fans can be assured that the band are committed to their work.

Mikey said: “I’ve lived for this all my adult life.

“Every decision I’ve made job wise has been based on will it fit with the band.

“If it won’t, I’ve just sacked it off.

“Everything has always revolved around Shiraz.”

Mr Shiraz album launch party is at The Parish on Saturday, February 16, with support from Random Hand, Cavorts and Human Project.

Tickets £6.