DESPITE losing almost everything in the space of four years, New Model Army are still marching on.

The Bradford alternative rockers were shocked by the sudden death of their manager while fire and theft left their studio in ruin.

Their bassist Nelson left after 22 years and now drummer Michael Dean has had to bow out from the current tour due to complications with a knee operation in January.

But New Model Army’s frontman Justin Sullivan told Weekend that calling it a day was never even a consideration.

“Funnily enough at no point did that cross our mind,” said the 58-year-old.

“At the time that our manager died we were just about to record Today Is A Good Day.

“It was all written and everything so we just carried on. We found a way and we essentially managed ourselves for three and a half years.”

Facing adversity proved to be one of the best things for the band from a creative point of view.

Making a departure from their post punk sound for something more atmospheric, they released their 12th album ‘Between Dog and Wolf’ in September.

It has become their most successful record in 20 years.

Justin added: “Michael and I had been talking for years about multi-layered drums.

“We’ve touched on it on other albums but we hadn’t really done it like this so it was something we were always planning to do.

“We wanted to be a bit more ambitious and we always intended to produce it ourselves which meant we could go up all the blind alleys and all the places we shouldn’t go.

“We could experiment freely. It is the best sounding record we have ever made.”

Part of the winning formula was recording the album in Los Angeles with Joe Barresi, who has worked with Soundgarden, Queens of the Stone Age and Tool.

Justin said: “That was a bit of a highlight in itself because last winter went on and on and was terribly cold and in the middle of it we got to lie around in LA for three weeks.

“It was really interesting working with Joe. He’s going to be mixing some new stuff for us very shortly.

“He’s known as a rock guy as he works with a lot of guitar bands but I think that is partly coincidental. In truth he is just a musical guy. I asked what he listened to and he said everything...Mozart, The Beatles.”

New Model Army’s records sell by the millions but they have never had a top 20 single due to their refusal to belong to any genre. Nobody knows what New Model Army is,” added Justin, whose band have been filmed by award-winning BBC/Channel Four director Matt Reid for an upcoming documentary.

“In 2010 we played a goth festival, a metal festival, a folk festival and a hippy festival in successive weekends with the same set.

“Everybody in the band comes from different musical backgrounds and we’re open to each other’s input.

“People sometimes assume that it’s just me and a bunch of hired hands because I’m the only original member.

“But that’s not true because it always operates like a band like it always did.

“Everybody argues their point and the person who is most passionate wins and that’s not always me.

“I am reliant on other people and when someone new comes into the band they bring a new energy and all the other relationships are renewed by that.”

* New Model Army are coming to Warrington’s Parr Hall on April 25. Tickets are £20. Visit pyramid parrhall.com or call 442345 David Morgan