ELECTRIC High should have been one of the hit singles of the year, but Elliot Minor cannot break through the barrier of BBC Radio One ignoring their pulsating songs.

“I honestly really don’t know why. We tried to push for it but with no success. It’s very frustrating,” says Alex Davies, the York band’s lead singer and principal songwriter.

“I think it’s all about hype now. We’ve not had the chance to build it up and promote it, and you need airplay to get into the Top 40.”

The new album, Solaris, has likewise failed to penetrate the charts since its release on October 19, whereas their self-titled debut entered the Top Ten in the giddily high position of number six in April last year, amid a run of five hit singles with Parallel Worlds, Jessica, The White One Is Evil, Still Figuring and a re-issue of Parallel Worlds.

Since then, the York five-piece have parted company with Warner Bros and returned to independent status on Repossession Records, and now renewed momentum must come from an autumn tour that began two nights ago in Wrexham and arrives at the Leeds Cockpit on Thursday.

“Performance-wise, we’ve definitely stepped up, as we’re better musicians now,” says Alex.

“Everyone is taking it more seriously and has taken time individually to work on skills – and we’re just enjoying playing as there aren’t so many limitations on us, so we’re playing covers like The Who’s We Won’t Get Fooled Again and just jamming out.”

Alex, Ed Minton, Ali Paul and brothers Dan and Teddy Hetherton spent three weeks in rehearsal for the tour at The White Rooms near B&Q, determined to take their live shows to the next level.

“As we’re introducing the new album this time, it’s been quite a task. We’ll play 80 per cent of the album and the hits, and we’ll be doing a new medley of Time After Time, The White One Is Evil and Running Away, so that’s been a challenge and something fun for us to do, coming up with ideas to get the songs together as they’re in different tempos and keys,” says the classically trained Alex, above, who took his early steps as a chorister at York Minster.

Maybe their public-school past is still counting against them, but Alex is determined to overcome such antagonism. “I think we’ve had quite a lot of image problems: older photographs like the Rievaulx Abbey one has given us a lot of hatred, with people thinking we’re posh boys.

“But we’ve just been really unlucky with it, as one of the bands who’ve suffered with that, but I think that will blow over. We just want to continue to write great songs.

“I’ve just turned 23 [on October 26] and I intend to continue writing and to pursue other forms of writing, too. Doing something else that’s creative will help the song-writing because your mind is in that zone and if you’re busy, you tend to write better stuff.”

For now, the focus is on the tour, the band’s faith in their adrenaline-powered rock music being stronger than ever, despite the indifference of Radio One.

“We’re really passionate about this album more than ever and the most important thing for us is that it’s all being the best band ever,” says Alex.

“That should always be your aim and we’re really motivated, really up for it and really enjoying playing.”

Elliot Minor’s chase for an electric high is under way once more.

• Elliot Minor play Leeds Cockpit on Thursday.