"EIGHT miserable years" is how Miles Hunt describes the most commercially successful period of his musical life, as lead singer and songwriter with Indie outfit The Wonderstuff.

Despite Dizzy, a No 1 collaboration with comedian and friend Vic Reeves, and a string of other hits, Hunt gave it all up and since 1998 has toured as an acoustic performer in America and the UK.

He arrives at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall tonight (Friday, September 22) for a gig at 8pm and proclaims himself happy with the way things are.

Last year he released a solo album Hairy on the Inside and has already released an EP of tracks for another album, with another EP following in a few weeks time.

Touring, being attached to an independent record label and following his own direction musically seems to suit him, what doesn't suit him is being reminded of The Wonderstuff.

"I spent eight miserable years supplying a corporate company with products for them to sell - that was my life and I hated it," he said.

He talks of moving to the United States, where he has toured extensively, next year, although he says he has nothing against his native country.

"I love England and I love playing in England but because of the size of the place and the general lack of interest in live music, there are far fewer places to play," he said, "Whereas in the States there is a strong interest in seeing live music, for someone like me who loves to play live I can work the whole time."

Tickets for the Worcester gig are £10 (£9 concs) from 01905 611427.