Nineteen years is a long time to hold your breath, but for Alternative Influence, the wait was necessary. Back in the early 2000s, they shared headlines with some of the biggest names in music—Oasis, Johnny Marr, Take That—and then, as if on cue, they disappeared. Now, in a move that feels both bold and timely, they’re back.

The new single, Come On In & Join the Party, doesn’t just pick up where they left off; it smashes through the walls and invites everyone inside. There’s a story here, of course. Beneath the party anthem’s stomping beat lies a narrative of resilience and reinvention. Frontman Lee’s battle with stage 4 skin cancer reads like a tragedy in its opening act. Stripped of his ability to play music, rocked by sleepless nights, he turned the darkness into something luminous—a new album, Love & Let Live. It’s a manifesto of joy, inclusivity, and the kind of optimism that feels almost rebellious in today’s world.

photo by alternativeinfluence.co.uk

It’s been 19 years since your last single, and in that time, so much has changed in the music industry. Streaming has taken over, social media is king, and music seems more disposable than ever. But you’ve chosen this moment to come back with a song that feels timeless and celebratory. Why was now the right time for Alternative Influence to return, and what does “Come On In & Join The Party” represent for you?

I have no control over these things. I’m an artist- and when it comes to music-i’m merely a conduit. I have no control over this-some would see it as a blessing-others may see it as a curse. I had a golden period over a 12 week spell from September to end of November in 2023 where i woke in the early hours of the morning with a tune in my head- usually a chorus. Sometimes with lyrics already written- but more often than not just the tune. I had 10 new tunes over a 12 week period that make up 10 of the new 12 track album. SO i felt it was destiny.

The video for “Come On In & Join The Party” feels like a celebration of unity–people from all walks of life coming together to let loose and share a moment. It’s something the world could use more of right now. What inspired the concept for the video, and how important is that sense of inclusivity to your music today?

Inclusivity and multi-culturalism is the most important aspect. Love & Let Live – the name of the Album is meant literally- all species. We are all Earthlings and we need to love rather than hate- and let others live, as long as they do not cause harm to others. Veganism is the moral baseline for this-and theres no excuses any more. Theres a tasty healthier vegan version of every food available now and its easily accessible. Climate Change catastrophe is taking place right before our very eyes and we can address this and must adapt. Theres been the rise of the far-right and things are more polarized than ever. Their cult (far-right) is based on everything negative- hate, prejudice, hierarchies and discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, wealth, . The likes of Tate, Farage, Yaxley-Lennon and Hopkins are nasty horrible people whose words cause real damage and their idea of ”freedom of speech” seems to revolve around attacking others and seems to be about maintaining existing systems or power structures that cause worldwide poverty and hardship and retain wage-slavery for the majority. People who get dragged into agreeing with aspects of their doctrine are being taken down the classic ‘divide and control’ route. Forget nationalism-its divisive and totally un-neccessary now in this globally connected world of today. We need to recognise we are all facing similar challenges in life and look at the positive things we can create and share to bring joy and happiness to others. What can we do to make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.

If you could take one thing from today’s music world and send it back to your early days, what would it be–and what would you gladly leave behind?

i enjoy listening to music and spend much time doing that- format wise i highly value CD and Vinyl and tape cassette. But i digest most stuff on YouTube. I use Digital artwork programs and thats what i intend to use for Love & Let Live, but it will also be available in C.D. The massive challenge now is trying to get any revenues as we are now in a ‘disposable ‘ culture where people stream tracks and the creators only get fractions of a penny. I live, eat, breath and even get it forced into my sleep.. so, i will carry on ‘suffering for my Art’ if it keeps coming to me.. My reward is in the creation and i’ll do it whatever budget i have to limit that. Capitalism is the problem and i’m meeting more and more people who recognise that and frankly want it ended. With the advent of such big strides in technology and things such as 3d printers, automation, robotisation, -theres so many jobs that should disappear and we have to end this ridiculous theft and ransom system that sees resources stolen by the rich from either plundering the earths resources or forcing people to work to make big profits. Every organiization that has profits and especially ‘record profits’ has basically paid its workers too little and charged its customers too much.

Your earlier music carried a strong political edge, but the world you’re commenting on has changed drastically. Do you see yourself as commentators on today’s issues, or is this era more about letting the music speak for itself?

People will take whatever they want from any music- I think thats why Albums still have a place in that you can express a variety of emotions . The forthcoming album has a wide variety of subject matter- whether its straightforward Partying at the end of the week and whether thats playing chess in the middle of people jumping up and down and dancing or VALUING other people and how they can share your joy.. or whether as i do in this forthcoming Album sing songs about Womens Football, Polyamory, Human Liberation, a whole host of subjects.. . What matters most to people is whether its got a good tune or not. Its that simple to be honest. They either like it or they dont. If they can sing-a-long or listen and escape.. It has to be played well and recorded and mixed well-and i’m working with some of the best and most talented people i have ever encountered- and over the years- if there is one thing ive always done.. its work with very talented people- people with amazing pedigrees who have been signed to serious labels and have a hell uv a lot of talent. The present line up of ALTERNATIVE INFLUENCE is the best ive have had and Latch with his Production at Tuff Gomg Studios in Warrington has been instrumental in taking this to new higher levels. The musicians i am with have amazing experience and talent and creativity and i feel blessed that they are making this. Mike Bee Guitar, Craig Harman Bass and Matt Earl drums are the real talent when it comes to musically what you are hearing. Latch as well with how he is interpreting the vision and nailing it and getting the best out of me.

The upcoming album ‘Love & Let Live’ is described as upbeat and inclusive–a sharp contrast to the heavier themes of your earlier work. It’s a clear shift in tone. What motivated this change, and was it a conscious decision to bring more positivity into your sound?

I’ve always been positive in trying to have solutions as just opposed to outlining issues. The brief for this was straightforward- and we achieve it. 3 minute songs that often start with the chorus. Really catchy choruses and hooks. Played and recorded live – same way as Oasis did with their first Album- all the musicians in the same room and miked up direct and feeling the track and how they play it live. I then add my vocals to the finished track. Lyrically, this stuff came easier than ever. i just spoke from the heart and dealt in pure truths. Some of the lyrics made me cry with joy and some made me laugh with joy. This album does that. Musically i think it combines a sound of Sex Pistols meets Abba with a New York Dolls esq vocal. But as Elvis Costello said… talkin about music is like dancing about architecture..

photo by alternativeinfluence.co.uk

Your fans have had nearly two decades to reflect on your earlier work, and now they’re getting something completely new. What’s one thing about Alternative Influence you hope remains timeless for them, and what’s something you think will surprise them the most?

I deal in my truths. If other people can relate to any part of that and can take something positive from that -thats all that matters really. As i delivered in the song INSIGNIFICANT on the first Album- Apathy, Cynicism and Complacency are the enemies of Change- the lyric that i delivered on that track was ”For moments there was difference, changes forced in time, the feelings that you shared with me, was sustenance sublime…” The audience are every bit as important as the people on any stage.

Your earlier work often had a sense of urgency, speaking directly to the issues of the time. But with so many challenges facing the world today, the pressure to address them all can be overwhelming. Do you feel the responsibility to speak on global issues in your music, or is the goal now to provide an escape?

I think thats a good question about all music. With mine i will write about whatever emotion it evokes when i hear it.- the strengths of having your own website means i can also make other points through that and the social media sites i use at Facebook, Insta, X/Twitter and tik-tok. So, in this album we do both, we address some things directly and also offer an escape. The strongest thing about this Album is simply is its catchy as fuck and has great infectious choruses.

Lee, your story of using music as a way to cope with and recover from your battle with cancer is incredibly moving. But writing an album is no small feat, especially under such challenging circumstances. What was the most surprising or unexpected part of channeling those experiences into music, and did it change how you approach songwriting now?

The cancer thing literally nearly killed me. I had joined Dignitas and was in such physical pain and exhaustion that i couldnt take any more. Walking 10 yards to the end of my driveaway left me out of breath and would literally take 10 mins to recover from. The immunotherapy drugs then went on and caused a side effect reaction and left me with a condition of Guillaine Barre syndrome that effects the nerves- the ones in my feet and lower legs being attacked and me having 2 specialists tell me that they thought it unlikely i would be able to walk again without walking aids. i had 8 days in the critical care unit at the Christie Hospital in Manchester-this at the end of period of having just had 4 months of intensive treatment from them. And the previous 12 months seeing 4 operations that included removing parts of the skin on my thigh and lymph nodes in my groin. On discharge i left the hospital after their physio teaching me how to walk using a stick. They had a walking frame sent to my house and i was told to adapt my home to be able to get up stairs and sleep downstairs in the meantime -which i did for a few weeks-such was my condition.

I was lucky in that i mentioned this to my own physiotherapist who had actually had dealings with this and treated this before. i then had treatment privately from him for 3 months- literally 5 days a week every week for that period and at the end of it.. i was literally back in the gym and running again! From that moment it made my outlook change to life in that i dont put off doing anything and do everything i want to do as soon as humanly possible. I ve also rid my life of a few people who i facilitated previously that seemed to cause me problems and seen the progress i have made with personal goals accelerate.. i’m still stage 4 with cancer but scans show the tumours are continuing to shrink. I’m still 20 KGS overweight from the cocktail of drugs and steroids i had to take to deal with it. But i will meet the goals of addressing that and most importantly this Album will deliver my finest creation yet- its an emotional Album – but its all about highs and celebrations and finding positive outcomes and simply great choruses with often chant along lyrics.

Your fans have grown and evolved over the years, just like you have as a band. But music always has a way of finding common ground. What do you hope will resonate most with both your longtime fans and those discovering you for the first time?

I’m real. i do mean everything i say and do. and whether i tread that path alone or with 1 person or with 10 people, 10 thousand people or a million or more people – the most important things in life from my experience is finding your own truth and being honest with yourself. Dont be a compromise on what you really want to be. ALSO its far more rewarding to give than receive and far better to stand alone with truth than be lonely amongst a herd of people who dont share your dreams.

Finally, let’s look ahead. With the release of “Come On In & Join The Party” and ‘Love & Let Live’ on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Alternative Influence. What can fans expect from this new chapter, and how do you see the band evolving in the years to come?

Two things i will outline. We will be playing live and dates will be announced shortly- and those who have seen us live will know its an emotional and exciting experience- have a peak at some of our live stuff at AlternativeINFTV2 channel on YouTube. Secondly- i dont give a fuck about money- its another control mechanism and some people are so poor all they have is their money. So if you want a t-shirt,a badge, a cd, a ticket to a gig or you wanna create some artistic experiences and are on the same page of LOVE, INCLUSIVITY, EQUALITY FOR ALL. GET IN TOUCH. As before you can have whatever you want for however much you want to give- LITERALLY.

*This interview was made possible by Quite Great PR