THE tour’s over, you’re in the studio and face-to-face contact with your fans is at a low point.

It’s a familiar scenario for bands, but Basildon boys the Peppermint Apes have come up with a novel way to stay in touch with their following as they launch their own online TV show.

The first episode of Apes TV airs on Saturday with a documentary revealing the band’s beginnings, moments from life on the road in America, some of their favourite highlights – and some of the low points.

“It’s a 45-minute documentary talking about the story of our band so far,” says frontman Ryan Stanton. “It takes in the highs and the lows.

“We had a few problems with line-up changes, but there are some really great things, such as going to America.”

And after the launch episode, the band will combine live studio chats – where fans will be able to ask questions and talk to them – and performances with sketches and other pre-recorded material of what they have been up to.

Bassist Lewis Brown says: “When you’re not gigging and focusing on the studio it’s harder to keep in touch with fans.

“We were thinking it would be a good way of promoting us when we’re not gigging. It’s nice because we can be a bit more personal with the fans.

“It’s not going to be just a live show. There’s going to be more to it, such as competitions and stuff. It’s a big experiment really.”

There’s plenty of footage to choose from.

As well as their Stateside tour last year where they made several TV appearances, the band have recently been working with Westcliff-based comedienne Sadie Kaye, penning the theme tune for her new show, Tucker’s Luck Ryan says: “We’ve taken time out from live shows to work with the BBC, writing jingles for Radio Two and working with Sadie.

“We’ve been writing all different types of music for her show. She’s crazy to be honest. She’s a mad lady, but we love her. We’re also talking about writing some stuff for Greenhouse Media at Pinewood Studios.”

As well as their American tour, the Peppermint Apes found a strong following in Belgium, where they were greeted with enthusiastic crowds at gigs.

The band are keen to use online tools to keep in touch with their international fanbase.

Lewis adds: “Since the invention of the internet there’s so much you can do. I think for a band that’s really, really good.

“We’ve got fans in America and the online show will be quite good for them. Also our friends in Belgium can see it and, obviously, people in Blighty can watch it.”

Apes TV launches online on Saturday at 6.15pm at www.

thepeppermintapes.co.uk/live