The Vaccines talk ahead of Birmingham gig

The indie-loving surf-rockers earned a platinum disc for their debut album, What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? in 2011, a gold disc for their second record, Come of Age in 2012, which peaked at number one in the UK while their third record, English Graffiti, hit the charts at number two in 2015 and earned a silver disc.

Now, following a three-year hiatus, The Vaccines are back with new album Combat Sports and a headline tour to go with it. Fans can look forward to a true return to form for the indie-rock stars.

They intend to be match fit, having toured extensively and played with or opened for The Rolling Stones, Arcade Fire, The Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse.

The band, who has earned comparisons with The Ramones and The Jesus and Mary Chain, released Combat Sports a week ago.

And they’ll celebrate that with their Birmingham show as well as a huge show at London’s Alexandra Palace on April 14.

“We felt like we were bored playing that game and we should do something different,” says frontman Justin Young. “It’s a statement of intent.”

They’ve played Alexandra Palace before, back in 2012, on their second album Come Of Age. Justin adds: “I remember walking in to do soundcheck and there was a crane and a transit van.

“They were both in the middle of the room and they were dwarfed by it. I just remember thinking, ‘This room is huge.’ From the front to back [of the show], I felt like I had electricity running through me.

“We’ve done The O2 and I think Wembley is the same size as Ally Pally, but with more seating. We are planning on this being our only London show for the record. That’s the official party line.

“I haven’t been as in love with being in The Vaccines as I am now for a really long time.”