Their stock may never have soared in the UK, but rock group The Lotus Eaters are surfing a new wave of success on the other side of the world.

Almost 20 years after the band's first and only British hit, pop fans in The Philippines have latched on to their sound and bombarded guitarist Jem Kelly with requests for the group to tour.

Such is their reputation there, better known for its history of political unrest than its love of rock 'n' roll, that the nation's foremost band have agreed to appear alongside them singing backing vocals.

Jem, who lives in Hove, said: "Earlier this year I got inundated with emails from The Philippines and at first I wasn't sure if they were serious.

"It was just incredible and we thought we'd better do some live shows. Now we've got television shows lined up as well as a load of concerts.

"We know nothing about their market or even their culture but they all seem to know about us."

Jem, 39, of Brunswick Road, left the world of rock behind him when The Lotus Eaters' brief brush with stardom began to fade in 1985.

He and the three other band members went their separate ways, believing the chance to become icons of rock had passed them by.

But the unexpected resurgence of interest has fuelled a lingering ambition.

Jem said: "I was into music at quite an early age but I didn't start playing until I was 16 when my dad bought a guitar.

"I had no training. I can't read music but I play and I have a good ear for music."

Jem, who lives with his partner Marie, joined the group in 1983 when he was 19.

A week later the band recorded a session for music guru John Peel's Radio 1 show. Days later The First Picture Of You reached number 15 in the charts.

Jem said: "At the time I was working to become an electrician but was serving an apprenticeship in music alongside it.

"The minute First Picture was broadcast we were phoned by a record company guy in London and a bidding war ensued.

"It was really weird because we were only 19 or so at the time and we had a massive hit. It took us from obscurity to pop stardom overnight, which is pretty big for a 19-year-old."

But their 15 minutes of fame was soon cut short.

The second single only reached number 40 and follow-ups failed to trouble the UK charts. Jem said: "We were really successful in France and Italy.

"We had a hit there with our final single It Hurts in 1985 and then the band split up.

"When you are a musician people like to think you are loaded and although we had enjoyed quite a prolific amount of success we never really had the artistic satisfaction to keep going.

"We accepted a pay-off from the record company, which cleared our debts and we went our separate ways."

Jem went on to study but always kept his interest in music.

Earlier this year, while Jem was completing a PhD in theatre studies at Reading University, his past came knocking.

A Japanese record company approached asking if they could release some early demo sessions.

Inspired by the interest, the group got back together to record an album, Silent Space, which stormed the charts in The Philippines.

Jem said: "It has amazed us we have this audience."

The group is due to play a couple of warm-up gigs in Hove before they fly to Manila.

See them at The Sanctuary in Hove on July 21 and 22.

Tickets are available at Rounder Records in Brighton Square.

For further information, call 01273 207121 or email info@thelotuseaters.com