THIS is like Life On Mars - I've just gone time-travelling.

It's the end of the night, for two hours I've been transported back in time and now I've been taken 18 years into my past and the hairs on the back of my neck (they're aren't any on my head) are standing on end.

For I can't believe it has been nearly two decades since I first heard James belt out Sit Down and the words are still fresh in my mind, even the same silly dance the 16-year-old lad with floppy hair used to do is back.

For James strode out of my past and into my present at Newcastle Academy on Monday night and their epic tunes still sounded as fresh today as they did then.

Okay, so local boy Tim Booth, of Clifford, near Wetherby, has lost his trademark curly mop, but the thing I noticed about James, who have thankfully re-formed to go touring, is that they sounded contemporary and even the music that is now nearly two decades old hadn't faded.

That's because they build their songs from a simple melody or riff and then add something, maybe guitar, maybe keyboard, and then add more and more until it builds into a crescendo of sound and music.

If you want to pick one band that does that these days - think Snow Patrol among many.

The night started with Come Home and was followed by So Many Ways, Getting Away With It, Sit Down and new song Who Are You among many more.

James rocked 18 year ago, and believe me, after two hours of music I can promise you they still do now.