He’s one of the finest guitarists this country has ever produced and, since leaving pop/prog titans It Bites in 1991, somewhat of a moving target: astrologer, solo artist, sessionman (Robert Plant, Ian Brown, Lauryn Hill), giver of house concerts, radio presenter.

Francis Dunnery’s also regularly toured the UK over the last ten years or so, mainly putting bands together to play the music of It Bites.

But now he’s announced a new album and rare solo tour, including a gig at London’s Riverside Studios, featuring just a guitar, a mic and lots of stories. The album and tour are called England’s Tales Of The Council House Kid.

In Francis’s words: ‘This record is deeply personal to me. It’s a collection of songs rooted in where I started—growing up in an England council house—and the journey those rooms eventually led me on. It’s about that grit, that upbringing, and finally bringing these stories to life in the studio.’ The album also features Todd Edwards on piano, Kate Ronconi on fiddle and Paul Brown on bass.

Francis has also just announced a new series on his YouTube channel where he will dish the dirt on all of his past musical projects. The first videos are about working with Robert Plant and auditioning for Genesis. Further clips about It Bites are promised in the future.