DRUMMER Andy Parker sounds genuinely surprised that his band UFO have been at the forefront of the hard rock and heavy metal scene for so long.

"In a couple more years, it will be the 50th anniversary of the band, that is scary isn't it?" he said. "Time just seems to go so fast."

Andy was a founder member of the band alongside lead singer Phil Mogg. The band has seen numerous line-up changes over the years - former guitarist Michael Schenker has been in the band on four occasions and Andy himself has twice left the band over the years only to return.

"I've left a couple of times and come back," he said. "I've joked I needed to come back and top up my pension, I needed to get the extra years in!"

Andy rejoined the band in 2006 and has been with them ever since.

"The thing is that the band remains viable, it's not like we have stood still," he said. "The band has progressed and we are still turning out new material. Yes, the line-up has changed over the years which is good. Getting stuck in a rut is not where we want to be and fortunately with this band that hasn't happened."

UFO have been cited as an influence by two generations of rock bands and were at the forefront of the new wave of British heavy metal. Albums such as Obsession and singles including Doctor Doctor saw them making inroads into the charts.

UFO come to King George's Hall, Blackburn, next Friday, and fans can expect a full-on rock show.

"We still really enjoy it," said Andy. "Anyone who comes to see us live will see that there is still a huge amount of enjoyment there. It's not like we are going out there and doing it for the money; to be honest there isn't that much money there! But we do it because we enjoy it and it's still fun and the audiences appreciate that.

"Phil still sounds great, we're not just going through the motions. We've made some great studio albums but to me if you want to see what this band is all about then come and see us live."

The band released their 21st album - Conspiracy of Stars - in 2015.

"The problem is now there is such a large back catalogue, what do you put in the set?" asked Andy. "There are songs that we would get lynched if we didn't do, so that's half the set gone."

But Andy revealed they are putting the finishing touches to their first covers album.

"It's taken a long time to come to fruition," he said. "We got the offer about two years ago and we sat down trying to put a list of songs together.

"It got to the stage where we almost had to put a gun to Phil's head. We'd be travelling on the bus and thrash out a list and think we'd got there and then next morning he'd just tear the list up.

"But we finally nailed him down and recorded it Germany this year"

The album includes covers of songs from the likes of ZZ Top, John Mellencamp, Steppenwolf, Tom Petty and the Animals.

"There's quite a variety of stuff on there," said Andy. "I think the fans will really enjoy it."

Those fans now include rock lovers of different generations.

"For a while now we've been getting younger kids at shows and even the girls are coming back," he said. "We're no longer seeing bald heads down the front and the kids know all the lyrics which is great."

UFO, with support Jared James Nichols, King George's Hall, Blackburn, Friday, July 28. Details from 0844 847 1664 or www.kinggeorgeshall.com