IT seems only natural that former Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley should have written a book; after all, writing books is in his family blood.

His memoir Carpet Burns –MyLife with Inspiral Carpets is available from Route Publishing and he will be signing copies in Newport’s Waterstones today. An album, Sand is out soon “Mydad spent a lifetime writing and translating books,” he tells me.

“Among them were biographies of Chekov and Stalin as well as a translation fromRussian of Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich which he co-translated with Max Hayward.”

Tomcontinues to tell me about his families’ rich cultural history including his forefathers who made the anchor for the Titanic.

I soon become aware I’m not just chatting to the former front man of one of the most influential bands to come out of Manchester in the late 80s but also a brilliant raconteur with a natural ability of telling stories.

His talent for storytelling sits neatly beside his ongoing passion for creating newmusic, something visitors to his gig at Newport’s Le Pub will be able to sample first hand this evening when he plays songs fromhis forthcoming release Sand.

“Its quite amature album,” says Tom,“ I’m 48 next month which makes me almost twice the age I was when I joined Inspiral Carpets. The album focuses on reassessing where you are in life. I’m not trying to be 18 again, the albumis very right here, right now.”

The Le Pub set will also feature rock, blues and acoustic renditions of his Inspiral Carpets hits including Drag Me Down.

“I like playing the songs,” he says as he reflects on the Inspiral’s hits, “essentially the songs belong to the audience and if you’ve ever been successful it’s because people love what you do.”

Catch Tomlive at Le Pub tonight at 8pm, tickets £6 . Further info lepub.co.uk. Tom’s book signing takes place at Waterstones in Newport from1-2pm. Telephone : 0843 2908507 for further details.

Carpet Burns –MyLife with Inspiral Carpets by TomHingley is available through Route Publishing at £12.99, a kindle edition is also available, visit carpetburns.wordpress.com for further information.