THEY might have generated plenty of fanfare in the music press after making their return this year, but Southampton band Delays have still been beset by problems - not least lead singer Greg Gilbert's recurring throat infection.

"I think it's being on a tour bus," he says, his soft Hampshire brogue sounding slightly gravelly. "Things just go round and it's pretty minging on there after a few weeks, and I got this virus. But I think I'll be all right."

The 28-year-old's recurring illness has resulted in a handful of cancelled gigs this year, much to the chagrin of some of the band's decidedly dedicated fanbase.

"It is awful cancelling because it's my call really," sighs the singer.

"I kind of want somebody to tell me what to do," he laughs. "But I think I made the right decision - if I'd done those gigs my voice would have gone for the whole tour, and we'll go back."

With another UK tour coming up, as well as festival dates throughout Europe this summer, Greg is doing all he can to take care of his voice - not least because it's such an important time for the band, who are trying to capitalise on glowing reviews in an industry which doesn't really know what to make of them.

The music press might have been positive about Delays' new material from their recently released album You See Colours, but writers have always found it hard to pigeonhole the band, and therefore write about them.

It's been the same on radio. The likes of Radio 1 and Capital haven't playlisted them despite recent single Valentine and the forthcoming Hideaway being satisfyingly melodic guitar pop.

"I have no idea what the problem is," says Greg. "If I did I'd address it. But the critical response is probably the best we've had so far.

"And I genuinely don't think there is anybody else making records like ours, which is a blessing and a curse really.

"We don't wilfully make music that's completely different. It's just a case of us reacting between the four of us. The point where the four of us are all excited by what we're doing, then that's when we'll put it out. We're not deliberately trying to distance ourselves."

He might say that, but the band - also made up of Greg's brother Aaron on keyboards, Colin Fox on bass and the singularly monikered Rowly on drums - have steadfastly refused to move to London from their bolthole home of Southampton.

"London's such a powerful influence as a city that I worry about how it would direct what we were doing," explains Greg. "It seems to stamp itself on bands. Southampton, in my mind, is a bit like the Shire from Lord Of The Rings," he laughs.

"It's got a musical anonymity to it which I think really helps to be in a band. There's no pressure to sound like Craig David (Southampton's other famous son). I like that what we sound like is purely because of who we are, that we're not part of a scene."

Delays play Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, on April 23 and 24. Tickets: 02392 863911