JONN Penney and Dan Worton who enjoyed chart success with Stourbridge band Ned’s Atomic Dustbin back in the 90s, have launched a new band and a new album.

In all his years Jonn, singer and lyricist for Ned's, had never written a song on his own – preferring on-the-spot collaboration with bandmates.

But during the Covid lockdown he decided to pick up his acoustic guitar and downloaded a four-track app to his phone.

Files passed back and forth through WhatsApp and email between Jonn and Ned’s drummer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Worton and by January 2021 11 tracks were finished.

Dan and Jonn had not met face-to-face through the entire process.

But in June 2021 they recorded their debut album in eight days at Perry Vale Studio with long-time co-conspirator Jessica Corcoran.

Released today (Friday August 26) the album 'Spills' is available on CD and limited-edition vinyl through Good Deeds Music.

Jonn and Dan are also set to head out on tour with their new outfit, going under the moniker Spairs which they say is taken from the word despair (to be without hope) and therefore means hopes.

The pair believe they have created something special and the track has already received airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music; and in October they’ll be touring with fellow Stourbridge legends Pop Will Eat Itself.

For tickets go to seetickets.com or ents24.com.