Bittersweet

One of the city's greatest ever bands, they should, by rights, be as well known as contemporaries Radiohead, Supergrass and Ride.

Instead, their story is one of what could have been - and they still describe themselves as "the unluckiest band in rock".

One of the founders of the 90s Britpop scene The Candyskins enjoyed only modest commercial success, yet remain a favourite local band of the era.

Their single Monday Morning was a chart hit; they enjoyed success with albums Space I'm In, Fun? and Sunday Morning Fever; and sold out venues across the USA.

But brothers Mark and Nick Cope, lead guitarist Nick Burton, bassist Karl Shale, drummer John Halliday, and latterly Brett Gordon, were also the cruel victim of the machinations of the record industry, and at one point became so cheesed off with their label Geffen they staged a protest outside their London office - spray painting the words No Fun! (a canny twist on their album title) on the walls.

Signing to Ultimate they found some degree of success with singles Mrs Hoover and Circles, toured with the likes of Dodgy and even appeared on Chris Evans's cult TFI Friday show.

But in a bizarre twist of fate, just as they were about to release the single of their popular tune Car Crash, tragedy broke. Princess Diana was killed in a car crash... and the single was shelved.

Soon after, Ultimate went bust, as did the band's American label. The follow-up album was not given a sporting chance, and the band collectively called it a day in 1999.

Although they came together for one last night, to mark the closing of the old Zodiac club, they vowed at the time never to reform.

But then, it's remarkable what a good cause can do.

On August 8 the band will come together again for a benefit gig to raise money for Cancer Research.

The show, which also features former touring mates Dodgy, is called Music For Life, and has been organised by Dave Holt, former manager of band the Unbelievable Truth, and gig promoter Alan Day of TCT Music.

Also appearing are singer-songwriter Frank Turner, formerly of Million Dead, and local art-prog-rockers A Silent Film.

The gig was prompted by Dave's recent recovery from cancer, and takes place at the Oxford Carling Academy.

"We played the last night of the Zodiac and really enjoyed it," said Mark, who now plays with the band Nine Stone Cowboy alongside the gorgeous Maria Illet.

"People kept saying we should get back together but we decided to leave it where it was. My brother was adamant he didn't want to do it again.

"But we have seen other bands do it and have thought 'we are so much better than them!' We even have other bands doing covers of our songs, and fans still say they play our songs. Plus, this is a really good cause."

And they have been surprised at how easy it is to get up to scratch.

"Before the Zodiac gig we only had two rehearsals. It all comes back quite easily," he says.

"It felt like no time at all. After all those years the songs have been drummed into the backs of our heads. It's just the five of us together on stage and we are so tight. We are unbeatable! We just get locked into it."

So, given the benefit of hindsight and wisdom, how does he feel about The Candyskins' career trajectory?

"Like all Oxford bands we were part of that Oxford scene," he says. "We went to the same pubs as Radiohead, Supergrass and Ride, and shared each other's equipment. There was some healthy competition but it was all very gentlemanly. They are all very polite people.

"Despite that, we were more successful in America than here. But people always say we were the most unluckiest band ever. I sometimes look back and wonder what could have been.

"But we have good memories. We never offended anyone and were just a decent honest band."

Although the lads decided to get together for the charity gig, the show may be the first of many.

"We are doing this for Dave," says Mark, "We are really looking forward to the gig. But we might do more. We want to play festivals next year. We just need someone to organise it."

But he says next month's gig is going to be a legendary night - following a triumphant Dodgy set at Truck Festival.

"We toured with Dodgy before and they are in it for the right reasons," he said.

"It's going to be great to catch up. There's a bit of a '90s revival going on, so it should be a laugh."

Music For Life takes place at the Carling Academy on Friday, August 8. Tickets are £15 in advance.