WEEZER are returning to the UK for the first time in almost five years.

The California rockers, known for Buddy Holly, Say It Ain't So, Hash Pipe and Beverley Hills, will be playing at Manchester Academy on April 3 as part of a 45-date world tour.

They were last in the UK in 2011 to perform at T in the Park and Sonisphere and are returning to promote their new release, The White Album, which is out on April 1.

It was a turning point for the quartet who found themselves without a record label for the first time after finishing their ninth album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End.

They continued to pour their energy into new songs like Thank God For Girls and Do You Wanna Get High? before teaming up with New York's independent Crush Management.

The result is what they describe as their Los Angeles 'beach album'.

Frontman Rivers Cuomo said: "My favourite band has always been The Beach Boys, and what I love about them most are the melodies and the chord progressions.

"I guess the harmonies too. And the orchestration. Can’t forget about the lyrics. So basically everything.

"I wanted to get that kind of vibe – beautiful tunes and sweet lyrics.

"I also love the dark side of the beach – Venice after dark, hearing at the Del Monte Speakeasy about how the gangsters used to drag the bodies through the catacombs and leave them under the pier..."

The inspiration behind the songs came from Weezer's experiences hanging around the west side of Los Angeles, which has always been the band's home.

"I would just tweet out: 'Does anybody wanna hang?' and then I’d get together with people who responded and talk about life," added Rivers.

"Hanging out with people in Venice and Santa Monica, the beach, the Hare Krishnas, the Sikh on roller blades with the guitar, girls on Tinder, seeing other bands, the kids from La Sera.

"I love California. I wanted the album to make you feel like you were there with us SoCal weirdos.

"After 24 years, we still love being in this band and we wanna keep it going for at least another 14 years."

Weezer formed in 1992 and have gone on to sell 17 million records worldwide.

After signing to Geffen Records in 1993, their debut release, The Blue Album, brought Weezer mainstream success, helped by music videos directed by Spike Jonze.

But their biggest chart success in the UK was in 2005 with Make Believe which got to number 11 in the albums chart. The record's lead single, Beverley Hills, also reached number nine in the UK.

The White Album will be Weezer's 10th studio album.

- Weezer play at Manchester Academy on April 3. Tickets are £35 and go on sale on Friday at 9am. Visit gigst.rs/weezer