Danny George Wilson is one of those musicians who, while not coming from Oxford, has been adopted as one of our own.

His band Danny & the Champions of the World have been stalwarts of the local gig and festival scene – becoming a regular fixture at Truck and Wood festivals, and numbering festival organisers Joe and Robin Bennett among the band’s constantly changing line-up.

But something has happened to Danny. The poncho-wearing country lover has gone rock. And the same goes for the Champs. Instead of the freewheeling, ephemeral collective of buskers – which could range from a multi-instrumental orchestra to a man with a kazoo, Danny has fashioned a slimmed-down super-tight rock band.

The Grand Drive star has gone back to his roots – and he is keeping things simple.

His new album Hearts & Arrows, sees Danny sporting a Stratocaster and playing with what he calls “a proper band” complete with a sax player.

“It has been a surprise for everyone else but not for me,” he says, over a cuppa at home in Carshalton, south London (not far from Grand Drive’s eponymous home: the road which gave its name to the remarkable soulful country-rock band he set up with his brother Julian, before striking out with the Champs).

“This is the tenth album I’ve written and it is important for me to do new things and shake things up every now and then,” he says.

“The writing process doesn’t change – it’s just how you dress it up. And I’ve plugged in!”

With Joe and Robin concentrating on their own outfit, Dreaming Spires, there are no Bennetts in the band. And floating musicians are no longer free to drop in for a quick strum, blow, rattle or shake.

“There was a brotherhood element and, while I don’t like to quote the Tories, an ‘all in this together’ vibe. And while that athemic feel is still there, it has a more ‘Saturday night’ edge to it.

“It’s very much about friendship, but is less pastoral. Our hearts are still in the right place though.”

Signifying the departure, the album was produced by crack guitarist Tony Poole, formerly of 70s rockers Starry Eyed And Laughing, and was mixed by Ted Hutt, a former member of Flogging Molly and one of Los Angeles’ most in-demand producers, whose credits include Dropkick Murphys and Gaslight Anthem.

Both bring an urgency and vitality to the Champs sound that was perhaps missing before.

“I’m not saying I’m the boss or in charge, but the band reflects the way I feel and want to present things.”

He also admits to have tired of the glut of new-folk bands who have sprung up since the Champions of the World first played their country card.

“And I’m not saying I don’t like what I’ve done before. I’m very proud of the things we’ve achieved, but I am a little bored of seeing so many bands playing the folk brotherhood card. I’m not a joiner. Danny George swims against the tide of what is fashionable.

“Since Mumfords and Stornoway became phenomenal successes it has been done. And once record companies start looking for the next ones, it’s over!”

He goes on: “We were doing that stuff slightly before them, but it’s not something I take great pride in. I’m just proud to have given people a good time. If we had any great ambition of stardom, we wouldn’t have gone about it in the way we did.” In many people’s minds, I suggest, the Champions will always be that chaotic bunch of mates and hangers-on who over-filled so many stages with their epic love-ins.

He laughs. “We were always loose and free, but that means you are always going to end up in a Lord of the Flies way. And it couldn’t sustain that. Now I just write the songs I want to write and dress them up how I want.”

Oxford gig-goers get a chance to see the new line up when they play the Jericho Tavern on Monday.

The absence of some familiar faces may come as a shock to some, Danny admits. “We had a brilliant time with Robin and Joe in the Champions, and for four or five years it was a star that shone brightly,” he says. “While it lasted it was wonderful. But we have all moved on and people have different bands and ambitions. Everyone had other fish to fry.”

He says it was fun choosing the permanent line-up, however, comparing it to a football manager selecting his squad.

“I know a lot of musicians and I know who I like playing with,” he says. “And fortunately they were happy to say ‘yes’.

So what can fans at the Jericho expect?

“Full on rock & roll,” he says. “We are going to give it everything we’ve got and expect the crowd to do the same!”