THEY took a break over the summer, but skiffle-billy act Snake Oil are back with a series of gigs and a new album out this Friday.

The group will be performing their music in Leigh, Rayleigh and Benfleet as they set about promoting their fourth album, Carry on Cowboy, recorded earlier this year.

“The CD is just a number of country skiffle-billy tracks ranging from Lonnie Donegan to Green Door, a Frankie Vaughan number,” says singer, guitar and banjo player Mike Levey.

“What we do is quite unusual, but it’s always really popular. We all like Lonnie Donegan. We like that early skiffle stuff. It’s one of the few genres of music that hasn’t made a comeback.

“It’s fast and easy to dance to. It’s real original music, which pre-dates the Beatles and stuff like that. The music we have now comes from that.”

Mike is pleased with the results on the album and says: “I think it’s the best one we’ve done yet.”

Despite the genre’s lack of resurgence, Mike thinks next year will belong to skiffle, as its the 21st anniversary of king of skiffle, Lonnie Donegan’s, death.

Describing what he loves about it, Mike adds: “It’s not slow, there’s nothing slow about it. You come in and you’ve had a couple of drinks, and you just enjoy it.

“There’s no big breaks, no arrogant people, like guitarists sometimes can be. Every-things’s quick and everyone’s happy.

“People are always jumping around and laughing. It’s very enjoyable music.”

Snake Oil will be celebrating the Carry on Cowboy’s release with a set at the Smack, in High Street, Old Leigh.

They will follow up the gig by playing at the Paul Pry, in Rayleigh High Road, on Friday September 23, and at the Hoy and Helmet, in Benfleet High Street, on Friday, September 30.

For details on all gigs and releases, go to www.myspace.

com/snakeoilstyle