MILLION-SELLERS while still in their teens, The Music were one of the Leeds rock scene's great success stories of the early Noughties.

Opening for some of the world's biggest bands, headlining festivals in Japan and Australia and reaching No.4 with their debut album, they seemed destined to follow in the footsteps of U2, Coldplay and Oasis (all of whom they'd supported at stadium concerts).

But then the Kippax foursome fell victim to the dreaded second album syndrome and everything began to unravel. After Welcome To The North came out – to less than enthusiastic reviews – the band set out to wow America – only for the tour to turn into a nightmare.

"The American thing was the most difficult," admits singer Robert Harvey. "To be able to mean something to that many people is obviously enticing. You think of U2 and Coldplay, bands that have made that step, and it's a dream to a lot of groups so we went for it, but at the time we didn't know that the songs weren't good enough or how tired we were."

With band relations strained, Harvey spiralled into alcoholism and depression. ("It's a battle, a mental disease that can only be overcome through time and understanding what it is that you're actually into," he later told one reporter.)

No longer with a record deal, in 2007 the band gave themselves an ultimatum – "either we make this good or we split the band four ways and we all go and get f***ing jobs".

"None of us wanted to do that, so we all sat down and decided we were going to work at it. It meant too much to us," says Rob.

After series of brainstorming sessions at home with guitarist Adam Nutter, they re-emerged with a much more focused set of songs which – thanks to a new deal with Polydor – they were able to shape into an album, Strength in Numbers.

Recorded with former Orbital man Phil Hartnoll and U2 collaborator Flood, it's a strident mix of guitars and dancefloor beats.

Rob says of the album: "It's about standing strong, being comfortable with your self and realising there is a future, there is something to look forward to. A lot of the album is about personal, mental battles. Not giving in to the negative thoughts."

Now the band are busy touring again – and this time enjoying themselves.

"It's about bringing people together and making them feel good," says Rob. "We know we can't save the world but we can do our little bit to make people feel part of it and bring them out of the unconscious. I want people to feel like I do when I'm singing these songs – I want them to feel in the moment not disconnected. We want people to be able to express themselves. Yeah, the swagger is back!"

The Music play at Leeds Town Hall on July 2. Tickets are available in advance from Jumbo and Crash Records or from www.gigsandtours.com
For more information on the band visit www.themusic.co.uk