But you'd better hurry, as the date at hometown venue Independent on December 7 is expected to follow the one the previous night by selling out fast.

It has been a rollercoaster 12 months for the band, whose self-titled debut album just missed the Top 10 in 2004.

Their second album, News And Tributes, peaked at No 12, just one place lower, but disappointing sales saw them part company with their record label 679 Recordings last November.

Barry, Ross, Jaff and Dave came close to splitting up, but stuck it out, and said being dropped gave them more freedom as a band.

They have finished work on a third album, which is expected to be released early next year.

Guitarist Ross Millard said fans should expect it to be much punkier than the last album.

A taster for the new songs, Broke Up The Time, can be downloaded for free from the band's website www.thefutureheads.com.

They will be roadtesting some of their new songs at the Independent gigs, as well as old favourites like Decent Days And Nights and Hounds Of Love.

Along with a show at King's College, London, on November 29, they are the band's only UK live shows this year.

Tickets for the December 7 gig, priced £12, went on sale at RPM and Alt Vinyl in Newcastle at the weekend, and Hot Rats and Independent in Sunderland today.

Support will come from Sunderland's This Ain't Vegas and Newcastle's Uncle Monty on the first night, and fellow Mackems The Bubble Project on the second.