THE Blockheads return to Liverpool this week as part of a major UK tour - and doing very well without their much-missed and loved frontman, Ian Dury.

They play the Carling Academy in Liverpool this Friday (October 22) as part of a tour which celebrates the release of their new single 'Mona' from their album, 'Where's The Party?'

The group - which features Chaz Jankell, John Turnbull, Mick Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy, Derek Draw, Gilad Atzmon, Dave Lewis and Dylan Howe, formed in 1977 to promote Ian Dury's album, 'New Boots and Panties', and went on to provide Ian with five major chart hits, including the million-selling international hit 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick,' 'Reasons To Be Cheerful - Part Three' and 'What A Waste.' World tours and huge success beckoned.

But in March, 2000, Ian died, aged 57, after a long battle with cancer. In tribute, The Blockheads re-made 'Brand New Boots and Panties' with guests Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. In March, 2002, the band released the posthumous and acclaimed 'Ten More Turnips From The Tip' - the last album recorded with Ian. For a while, any future Blockheads work seemed doubtful.

Chaz Jankell, who co-wrote many of the Blockheads' biggest hits, told me: "Without Ian around, I was very, very nervous about going back on stage or doing anything, but the audiences' response was great and, I have to say, that made the whole process easier. I believe that The Blockheads' legacy is still true to the late '70s and we have a special chemistry."

Speaking to me from his home in the North London district of Muswell Hill, the 52-year-old, who is also appearing at Birkenhead's Pacific Road venue with his own band on December 15, said of his late friend: "Ian was a diverse person - very astute, very dynamic and very humane. He was also our spokesman and is greatly missed.

"When he died, it was like losing a friend. But it felt right to carry on and it gave us even more determination to pull together as a team."

In 2002, the band returned to the studio to record their first album, 'Where's The Party?', with Ian. This was finally released in March along with the group's official biography, 'Song By Song'. Today, The Blockheads are busier than ever and, with their formidable reputation, remain one of the greatest 'live' acts the United Kingdom has ever produced.

As well as his work with The Blockheads, Chaz is also busy with his acoustic jazz quartet, something the avid reader and jazz fan sees as a departure from his early days. "I have a lot of influences from rock through to soul," he told me. "I want to explore music and just don't want to be slotted into one music category."

Tickets for The Blockheads' Carling Academy gig are available from 08700 600 100. Tickets for Chaz's show at Pacific Road Arts Centre on December 15 are available from 647-0752.

The Globe has teamed up with Chaz to give away three signed copies of The Blockheads' new single, 'Mona' - and you can win one in a simple-to-enter competition.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is give us the name of one of Ian Dury's hits.

Write your answer on a postcard/back of envelope and send to: Blockheads' Contest, Wirral Globe, Globe House, Catherine Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 6HW.

Closing date is Wednesday, November 10. Senders of the first three correct entries drawn will each win a signed copy of the CD 'Mona'.

Good luck!