"we're a very clean sounding group. We've never really been into metal guitars and drum solos"

says guitarist Eddie Lundon. But then, metal guitars and drum solos aren't what you'd expect from China Crisis. Since their arrival in 1982 they've always been painted as a band of vague arty pretention, playing pretty music that verges on the soporific. Not a picture they agree with, but neither is it one that bothers them. China Crisis ignore all the hostility and follow their own instincts. And listening to their live set is a timely reminder of some of their polished pop achievements. From 'Wishful Thinking' to 'Black Man Ray', China Crisis certainly know how to pen a good tune. But in recent years, as far as the general record buying public is concerned, it's been 'crisis? What crisis'? The release of their fifth album Diary of a Hollow Horse, has seen them back on the road, and back in "tiresome" interviews. Thankfully their attitude remains unchanged.

"We just get on with what we want to do and not take any notice of anyone else" affirms Eddie. "I suppose it's a bit of a selfish attitude in a way, but you've got to do it to get your own identity and go forward. Your work'll suffer otherwise."

But do they come under a lot of pressure from the record company to try and revive that early singles success?

"Well not really" says Eddie. "Virgin's such a good company, 'cos if they have a bit of bad luck in one department they'll make it up in another. We're not bothered anyway. Album success is more qualitative. You can tell that just by looking at the singles chart."

"They all have their place" continues singer Gary Daly. "Individual songs are great for what they capture, they always capture a time and an atmosphere. Albums are different. Everyone seems to have a favourite two or three."

With the band admitting they have given up "trying to make hit records" they are happy to hone their songwriting craft, disregarding the fads and trends around them.

"I take the view that if you write a good enough song, you'll get in the top ten" says Gary. "If Bowie's going to do it, then he's not going to do it with a hip-hop track or a dance floor smash. He'll do it with another 'Ashes to Ashes' or 'John, I'm Only Dancing'. That's where we fit in I think. If we get in there, fine. If we don't, then there'll be a new fad and things'll move on."

Indeed things have moved on since 1982, but so have China Crisis, each of their albums involving some sort of progression. 1985's Flaunt the Imperfection saw the band working with Steely Dan's Walter Becker, and spawning the hits 'King In a Catholic Style' and 'Black Man Ray' it was their most successful album. The follow up, What Price Paradise, was a relative flop, and the latest album sees the band back with Becker.

"He was really made up with the last album" Gary enthuses. "He thought it was the best stuff we'd ever done. And we do need that authoritative figure. Gazza's 32, Kevin's 31, but Brian's only 24, so if we did it ourselves, could Brian tell Gazza what to do? Also, Walter's a musician rather than some trendy haircut and suit, which obviously appealed." With all five members now writing the music together, Diary... sees Gary seeking some "new" lyrical inspiration.

"Lately I've been listening to the Beatles a lot, around The White Album. There's a great lyrical mixture in there, some of it really direct, and then there's all this abstract stuff like 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'. And with my daughter Holly being born, there was something definite to sing about, so I've become really direct."

So does this new album signal the end of Gary's more ornate lyrics?

"Well, ornate's not the word, because that implies prettiness... A weird style, off the wall, yes. But a lot of those lyrics were just the result of being a young man and travelling around the world for the first time. That's why there's always a hometown song on every album."

On Diary of a Hollow Horse, 'Day After Day' and perhaps the album's standout track, 'Age Old Need', are both concerned with life on Merseyside. "'Age Old Need' is one of Gazza's — it's about settling down in Liverpool" explains Gary. "I can imagine that song at Christmas time — add a few sleighbells and it'll be huge. You'll laugh when you hear it on the radio in six months! We'll have Cliff Richard in the video and there'll be all hell to play..."

Yes, well... The good humour is cut short when I draw a comparison between the album's title track and Black, aka Colin Vearncombe.

"That guy's an apprentice to us!" Gary argues. "Everything I've heard him do, we've already done. 'Diary...' is well beyond that. It's one of the first truly adult songs we've done. Tom Petty could cover that, or Bob Dylan..."

Although China Crisis are now unashamedly "adult", as they offer advice to young hopefuls their attitude is still one of youthful enthusiasm.

"We set ourselves this target to become absolutely massive, but we've compromised a bit on that one..." jokes Eddie. "But the wife needs the bread, so..."

"Bringing the bacon home — it's all a man can do" laughs Gary.

"You've just got to keep believing in yourself, and don't get too depressed by it all" argues Eddie. "Don't trust too many others, trust yourself. Stay away from strange men with puppy dogs". Gary comes in right on cue:

"Don't hang around gay bars talking to music journalists..." The music journalist gives up.