OH, the power of advertising. Prompted by Vodafone building a ubiquitous ad campaign around cult punk classic Another Girl Another Planet, the original line-up of The Only Ones reformed in 2007 after a quarter of a century’s hiatus, surprising everyone by taking up an invitation to play the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival.

Laconic lead singer Peter Perrett looked frail and pale but his songs of doom and despair rose again, and The Cult Hero award ensued at Mojo magazine’s honours list ceremony.

Now, Perrett, guitarist John Perry, drummer Mike Kellie and bass player Alan Mair are caught up in a whirlwind of activity in early 2009. Tonight, they set out on a new spurt of touring, playing The Duchess.

Their website reports that “the band are all set to go into the studio in the next few weeks to commence recording of their new album. The title is as yet undisclosed but it will include tracks currently on the live set, including Black Operations and Dreamt She Could Fly”.

Meanwhile, on February 2, Sony BMG will unveil expanded versions of their three studio albums from a short-lived career that disintegrated on a scandal-ridden American tour in 1981.

Their self-titled debut, The Only Ones, Even Serpents Shine and Baby’s Got A Gun have been re-mastered from the original tapes, each one extended with rare B-sides, session recordings, unseen photos and new liner notes for release on CD and digital download.

Tickets for tonight cost £16 in advance on 08700 600100.