FIXATED by all things West Coast American, sunshine is the natural disposition of Glasgow band Cosmic Rough Riders.

So they ride into York next Thursday for their fourth appearance at Fibbers, fully recovered from last year's departure of co-founder Daniel Wylie.

Their confidence is so high, they believe new album Too Close To See Far to be their best yet. Confidence indeed, after the 80,000 sales of 2000's breakthrough record, Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine. Too Close To See Far will be released on July 7 on the band's own Measured Records label.

Cosmic co-founder Stephen Fleming, who has stepped up to lead vocal duties, is buoyant yet aware that the band will come under scrutiny in the wake of Wylie's amicable exit to pursue a solo career.

"We know we've made a great record, head and shoulders above the last one, but will the public accept us with this line-up? Will they be bored of the Cosmic thing? But whatever, man, we needed to make this record, and then we'll make another one. That's what we do!"

In 2001, Cosmic Rough Riders had scored their first Top 40 hits with Revolution (In The Summertime?) and The Pain Inside, bringing the new pressure of a heavy concert workload over 18 months of regular travel. Wylie had a young family to consider, and so his decision to leave did not come out of the blue.

"It wasn't really a bombshell; he had been talking about it for a while, so when he left halfway through recording the new album it was better than telling us at the end," says Stephen. "We salvaged some of the recordings - two or three of them are on the record - but then we've never been short of songwriters in this band."

Cosmic Rough Riders, supported by The Future Kings Of Spain, Fibbers, York, June 5. Tickets: £6 advance, £7 door.

Updated: 10:15 Friday, May 30, 2003