Before Midge Ure came along with his talk of Vienna, Ultravox was fronted by the enigmatic, albeit low-key, John Foxx.

As founder of the group in the mid-Seventies, John was the driving force behind their first three albums, Ultravox!, Ha! Ha! Ha! and Systems Of Romance.

These albums have just been reissued, putting John, recognised as a pioneer of electronic music, back under the spotlight.

Since leaving Ultravox in 1979, the musician - also a writer and artist - has released several solo albums, taking in Sixties psychedelia, the birth of synth pop and acid house.

His most acclaimed work came from 1980's Metamatic, credited with spawning the all-synthetic "metal beat" sound.

Latest album, the atmospheric Tiny Colour Movies, was out in June. John will play tracks from this, along with October's forthcoming release Impossible and some Ultravox tracks he hasn't performed for "a very, very long time".

Formed from the ashes of the band Tiger Lily, Ultravox fused punk, electronica and new wave but it was John's lyrics and vocal delivery which set them apart.

They had a growing fanbase but were dropped by their label in 1979. John went solo, despite interest from other labels.

"It was clear Ultravox were going to break very soon," he says. "Every gig we played had queues around the block. I knew I'd be locked into a band for at least another five contractual, responsible, endlessly touring years if I stayed.

"A synthesizer and the possibility of creating a beautiful, tranquil anonymity was beckoning. It was an offer I couldn't refuse."

Ultravox went on to reform with Ure at the helm and mainstream success came a year later.

This wasn't John's only chance of fame - he had opportunities to front The Clash and Roxy Music but declined both offers.

"My personality has always got in the way of being high profile. I prefer to be a sort of ghost."

Holed up in his own studio, John dabbled in ambient sounds and electro, building up a strong cult following.

However, after the album Mysterious Ways was released in 1985, he withdrew himself from the pro music scene and returned to his career as a graphic designer.

Electronica remained a hobby, though, and John even touched the acid house scene, releasing vinyl under pseudonyms. In 1997, he returned with the simultaneous release of two albums, Shifting City and Cathedral Oceans.

His comeback was well received and signalled a steady stream of follow-ups, including Crash And Burn, in 2003, and last year's Cathedral Oceans.

John was last in town for the 2005 Brighton Festival, when he took part in a Harold Budd farewell concert.

Starts at 8pm, tickets cost £7. call 01273 684501.