IT had been some time since they had seen one other, but it was a tragic event that brought them all together again.

“We couldn’t stand each other when we split up. But it was at Andy’s funeral. And it was sort of like, y’know, we’d not seen each other in years, but we all felt as one, because of Andy.

“We all went to the pub after the service, and sat and talked. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t reunite as a band there and then, but it got us talking and questioning what if. It broke the ice between us all.”

I’m speaking with Tommy Scott, lead singer of one of the biggest bands of the ‘90s – Space, a group responsible for hits such as The Female of the Species, The Ballad of Tom Jones and Avenging Angels.

Formed in Liverpool in 1993, they were one of a handful of groups which epitomised Britpop, managing to release four studio albums during their career and at the height of their fame performing with Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews.

Come 2005, the group had decided to disband amid reports of in-fighting and record label disputes. Then there was the death of Andy Parle, the band’s original drummer, which made the news after he suddenly collapsed in the street.

“Andy was a very mixed up character,” says Tommy. “He simply didn’t want to be famous, he couldn’t cope with it. When he was with us he liked recording records, but preferred us to be small time.

“He played on albums Spider and Tin Planet, but after that he was gone. I remember when we were touring in Japan. The furthest we’d been before that was probably Wales. But every night Andy would come knocking at your room, his bags packed and crying he wanted to go home. He was a guy with a very dark side, he was homeless, had drink and other problems. So when he died, of course we were all really upset.”

Fitting perhaps then, that it was at Andy’s funeral that the band decided to put aside their differences, reviving Space in 2011. Tonight (Thursday) they will conclude an 11-date 20th anniversary tour, with a show at Soho’s Borderline.

“After we split, I wouldn’t entertain playing our songs. In fact, I went the opposite way, I joined a ska rockabilly band, just to move as far away from Space as possible,” explains Tommy.

“But then it started creeping back in. I’d play the odd Space song with a ska twist. Now, it’s great to be back with the guys. This tour hasn’t been and isn’t just about old material, we’ve a selection of great new music, it’s exciting.”

Indeed they have – having released a new album in March, Attack Of The Mutant 50ft Kebab, perhaps Space will get another shot at stardom.

“You know, maybe we had fame too soon,” Tommy reflects. “But then again, if we had the level of fame now as we did then, well, we’d have never have got on Radio 1 for a start, we’d be too old.

“But hey, it’s all character building. Maybe we should have started a Britpop fight like Blur and Oasis, then we’d still be going. We’d have had to start something with a group like All Saints. But even then they probably would’ve won.

“Sad times eh?” he chuckles.