'I never imagined I would get back on stage again'

Richey Powers, the flamboyant front man of the psychedelic rock band The Recks has been seriously ill and lost the sight in one eye

The frontman of a psychedelic rock band who fought back from a series of strokes and blindness in one eye is gearing up to take to the stage again.

Richey Powers has been unable to perform live with The Recks, which formed in Sark, for the past five years after falling seriously ill.

"I've had about five blood clots in my brain, a couple of strokes and encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, during that I went blind in one eye," said Powers.

"At the moment I'm having a really good spell, I know it's not going to last forever, I'm just making the most of this window of opportunity."

Despite this, The Recks, which established in 2012, have released a new single, Pocket Full of Stones, and are putting on a comeback gig at St James in Guernsey on 13 September.

The band has performed at Latitude Fesival, Boardmasters and the Vale Earth Fair in Guernsey, as well as recording at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios.

The Recks were formed in Sark in 2012

It has been a long road back to the stage for Powers, who now lives in England.

"At my worst I could barely walk any distance, my balance was really bad, even in my 'good eye' the vision was terrible," he said.

"I couldn't use my phone or read a newspaper.

"My memory was affected quite badly too, I've forgotten so many songs I've written in the past.

"I spent ages going through old phone recordings I've made over the years and had to relearn the songs."

Powers said Pocket Full of Stones was written before the pandemic led to the band going their separate ways, interrupting their plans for tours and new releases.

The song has now been released and is being celebrated with the gig in Guernsey.

"Even if this does turn out to just be a one off, and we never played again, the fact I'm even able to do it, is a massive achievement for me," he said.

"It's taken lot of work to even be able to do it and I'm going to enjoy every moment of it."