Britpop band in unexpected revival after songs turn up on the internet

Speedy seemed destined for success in 1997, with their first single Boy Wonder played as a single of the week on Radio 1 and their first album, News From Nowhere recorded.

But just a few months after they were appearing on television shows they were dropped by their label and they split soon after, with the record they had made never released and most of their 11 other songs unheard by the public.

Since then, the album has been thought lost, but a copy of it has now been posted on several websites, and according to music critics it has the potential to prove popular once again.

Philip Watson, the band’s former singer, said he was unsure how the record had found its way onto the internet, but said it was welcome attention more than 15 years after it was supposed to have been released.

He added: “I’m flattered that people have somehow found, like and now want to share this album. Also slightly embarrassed. But only slightly. It’s all right.”