ROCK fans are set for a ‘wild’ night out after a town centre bar announced the biggest gig in its history.

Bar Metro will play host to an acoustic show by The Wildhearts next month, in what they say is a big coup for Bolton’s live music scene.

The band had a number of top 40 hits in the 1990s, including I Wanna Go Where the People Go, Caffeine Bomb and Sick of Drugs.

Their 1993 debut album was named the best of the year by Kerrang magazine, and follow-up P.H.U.Q was also greeted by huge critical acclaim in the rock press.

At the height of their popularity the band played to thousands at the Reading Festival and Donnington Monsters of Rock as well as packing out their own shows at venues up and down the country.

Rock magazine Raw even declared Ginger ‘The World’s Finest Songwriter’ in a 1994 review of fan-club album Fishing for Luckies.

The four-piece, whose last studio album !Chutzpah! was released in 2009 have split up several times over the course of a career spanning nearly 30 years.

But to the delight of their devoted fans have always reformed to release records which span the sonic spectrum from catchy pop to furious noise.

The band’s sound is defined by the vocal harmonies and crunching riffs of frontman/songwriter Ginger and guitarist CJ, and the duo will play a selection of the band’s best-loved songs at the Bradshawgate bar on Sunday, December 10.

Andy Morris, manager at Bar Metro, said he was ‘buzzing’ in anticipation of the show.

He said: “It’s the biggest gig of the year for us, we are going to be full to capacity.

“The Wildhearts are going to do quite a long night, two sets, and we’ll probably get some of Ginger’s on-stage banter as well - he’s quite the raconteur after his recent Songs and Words tour.”

The walls of the venue are adorned with Wildhearts memorabilia, including a signed poster of CJ’s guitar ‘Lucille’.

Mr Morris said: “We got the gig because, as a venue, we are quite a Wildhearts shrine.”

“They’re a band that’s had a tempestuous life – they’ve had a lot of ups and downs and more break-ups than someone in Eastenders, but they seem to be happy and contented now.

“They’re possibly the best band ever, in my opinion – obviously along with Wolfsbane – they are lovely guys , and you find with the old-school in rock are really decent guys.

“They’ve had loads of top 40 singles, things like Geordie in Wonderland – but most of their songs don’t have very family friendly titles!”

Mr Morris hopes bringing in The Wildhearts and forthcoming gigs by Wolfsbane and The Last Great Dreamers could usher in a new era of top live music in Bolton.

“It’s going to be fantastic, a night with a fantastic atmosphere. Hopefully it’s the start of big things to come, I’d love to Bolton on the map as a live music destination.”

“We are trying to get something going in Bolton that’s not just about cover bands. I don’t mean that in derogatory way, but original music is the way to go forward. You’re never going to keep the scene alive without original music and new blood.”

And he is in no doubt that Bolton rock fans are in for the highlight of their year when Ginger and CJ arrive in town.

“I can’t tell you how chuffed I am about this, honestly, it’s hard to explain how big a thing it is to get your favourite band down to your own little place.

“The only way it could be any better would be maybe if I got Faith No More or Metallica down here.

“But I’m pretty sure (Metallica singer) James Hetfield isn’t going to be walking through the doors of Bar Metro any time soon – not that he wouldn’t be welcome!”

The Wildhearts play Bar Metro on Sunday, December 10, 9.15pm till late.

Tickets are £15. Contact info@BarMetro.Rocks or call 07973 15450.