The Shakes' finest moment came in 1986 when their song 51st State of America reached number 72 in the national charts.

The trouble was this Keighley band had folded earlier in the 1980s and the song had been recorded by New Model Army.

Now frontman Ashley Cartwright -- the song's writer -- and his fellow Shakers are preparing to step back into the limelight.

They're returning at the invitation of fellow 80s heroes Skeletal Family -- who did chart with their own songs -- for a Christmas concert.

The Skeletals, who reformed last year, played their first Keighley gig in two decades last month.

The 200-capacity New Variety Club was full to bursting and many local fans, as well as dozens of old friends, couldn't get tickets.

For their next home-town gig the quartet has booked Victoria Hall -- where around 500 can fit -- and want to make it a night to remember.

So what could be better thought Skeletals bassist Trotwood, than inviting along Keighley's other one-time supergroup?

The Shakes may not have achieved the same national success as the Skeletals, but locally they were held in similarly high esteem.

Back in the two bands' heyday some people thought Ashley's post-punk rockers deserved more recognition than Trotwood's goth outfit.

Shakes musicians such as Steve Wilson, now in the Big Bang with the Skeletals' guitarist Stan, and Wayne Marshall had already talked about getting back together.

Various meetings in pubs and on trains led to a firm commitment to perform at the December 27 gig at Victoria Hall.

Trotwood and Stan -- with drummer Martin Henderson, keyboard player Karl Heinz and new singer Clare Bannister -- plan a packed night.

They've invited Breene and Operator 6, two of Keighley's most popular young band's, to play support.

They're also hoping for appearances by former Oasis guitarist Bonehead and Laika Dog, the new band from Tony "Terrorvision" Wright.

Trotwood says the Keighley gig will be part of a week of Skeletals shows around the country.

They then hope to make several appearances in October including the Carnival of Souls, a gothic festival and fetish ball in Derby.

Trotwood hopes the New Year will see a US tour to build on the band's popularity with a new generation of American goth fans.

Then comes what fans are really waiting for -- the first new Skeletals material for almost 20 years.

Trotwood says: "We're trying to get some songs together. We hope to get a new album written by the end of the year and recorded early next."

The band has been offered recording time in top studios owned by Trotwood's pals in the music industry.

He regularly works as a roadie with acts such as Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller.

Before the new album there is likely to be a compilation of the Skeletals' Radio 1 sessions from the 1980s.

Tickets for the Victoria Hall show go on sale next month, probably from Keighley outdoors shop Speaks.