A GENERATION has come of age and set its own rules since Transvision Vamp last troubled our ears. Their spritely power pop was bright enough to secure a couple of hits (Baby I Don't Care, I Want You Love), while their peroxide blonde singer Wendy James made sure they had a presence on any mag that mattered in the late 80s/early 90s (May 26).

But the long haul was not for them. Following their split, Wendy recorded an album of songs written for her by Elvis Costello then disappeared from the radar. Until now.

Her new band, Racine - the name comes from the Chicago street on which Al Capone ran his rackets in the prohibition era - are up and running and resolved to starting from scratch. As such they play Bournemouth's Mr Smiths on Thursday May 26 as part of a tour of the UK's club venues.

But while it may be the start for Racine, for Wendy this point is already some way along the new route to success.

As the rest of the world went about its business, Wendy had to learn to play guitar, write songs, she built and mastered her own studio operation before knuckling down to write her new career. Having demo-ed songs, she started her own record label and had to find distribution for it before she completed Racine's first album - titled appropriately enough, Racine No 1. Next step, find a band, rehearse it and get on the road.

Been busy then, Wendy?

"Well, yes, but when you believe in something and you're working on instinct, as long as your head is connected to that gut feeling, it actually means most of my decisions are very easy to make," she says, her ever-so English tones belying the fact that as well as reinventing herself she has also relocated to New York.

"It's not really a reinvention, this was always going to happen, even as far back as Transvision Vamp. Back then I wasn't ready to be the songwriter - I was only 16 when it all started - but I knew I would end up with a guitar round my neck. This band, this team of English people I have around me that I have complete faith in, I met them all in New York.

"We're all travellers, wanderers, fixers, hustlers - people outside of major record companies who can make things happen. When you know how it's quite easy."

Although Racine's debut was created solely by Wendy she says the band is already taking the basic hip hop-rock sound into new territory.

"Oh it really rocks live and I can already see the elements that will make Racine No 2 taking shape. It's got this hip hop beat with a chugging rock 'n' roll guitar that's even beefier than it is on record.

"It's amazing, just amazing. I am in the best time of my life and I'm having the best time of my life. Really."

For more info on Racine click here to visit their website.