While Oxford's attempt to become European Capital of Culture proved a disappointing, if predictable, affair, it is comforting to remember what a hotbed of talent this city has been over the past decade, writes Tim Hughes.

Back in the early 90s, when the Gallagher brothers were still in short trousers and Britpop was just a glint in the music industry's eye, Oxford ruled the roost as a capital of live music.

At the heart of that scene were Ride.

Over eight years, the Oxford lads attracted a cult following and established a reputation that stands today.

A sharp contrast to the 'loved up' Madchester scene, Ride were masters of distorted guitars and special effects, and released a string of dynamic albums after being snapped up by the influential Creation record label.

The band bowed out in 1996. But after what seems an interminable absence, lead member, Mark Gardener, is back.

Mark Gardener rides back

In a move that deftly links two decades of Oxfordshire music, he has teamed up with Steventon-based country rockers Goldrush - who are already proving to be the biggest thing from the county since Radiohead.

The tour, presented by the city's Truck Records, rolls up at the Zodiac on June 11 after a tour of seven UK cities, which sees Mark playing acoustic sets alone and with Goldrush.

The tour will reprise with a headlining set at the Truck Festival in Steventon in July.

Back in Oxford after a successful tour of the USA, Mark is pleased to be back in the saddle.

"Some of our stuff is brilliant and it's going to take people's heads off," he says.

"Everything that has happened since Ride has brought me full circle. The first thing I think about the years with Ride, were how mad it all was.

"It was a great time to be around. Supergrass and Radiohead were at the gigs and doing brilliantly. Oxford is an inspirational place - you can see that from the bands that come out of here.

"It got strange at the end as the chemistry changed, and people wanted to do different things. But we all have fond memories."

After working with dance music supremo Paul Oakenfold, Mark took off for the Big Apple. Ride's following endures in the US, as he discovered on his recent tour, when he sold-out at shows in New York and Los Angeles, with up to 700 fans packing gigs.

"The American tour blew me away and I have been on the up ever since." he says.

"I thought I would get a chance to test out new material and get into playing again," he adds.

"Playing alone is the hardest thing I've done.

"Ride have grown in importance out there. With bands like Coldplay referring to Ride, there has been a real resurgence in what we were doing back then."

To those accustomed to the cranked-up electric sound of Ride, the idea of the band's frontman performing an

unplugged set may come as a surprise. But Mark insists it makes perfect sense.

"It works brilliantly, with the songs stripped to the core. "People never heard me sing well because of all the noise going on, but this gives me somewhere to go.

"It's more soulful, and I'm more exposed, which is good. I have gone back to what I'm good at - which is more acoustic."

The collaboration with Goldrush germinated when Mark caught the band's London date at the Garage. He was still there hours after the show had finished, discussing ideas which later hatched into plans for a tour.

How does he feel about touring with a new generation of Oxfordshire musicians?

"Goldrush are going to be another huge Oxford band. It is really happening for them. And playing together is working really well. They do a set, then I come on and do four or five acoustic things, then we come on together."

The format was tried out in Oxford's Cellar club in March, where they were joined by Ride guitarist and singer Andy Bell and drummer Laurence Colbert for an almost complete band reunion.

The Truck festival is set to be one of the highlights of the summer.

For Mark it will be especially sweet. Despite his position as a founding father of the Oxford scene, it will be his first Truck.

"I am looking forward to it," he says.

"It has had such great reviews."

He is equally excited about the Zodiac show.

"We were always going to finish in Oxford," he says. "It is going to be a really special night."

Can fans expect another Ride reunion? Mark says a future show might be possible.

"I never ruled out that me and Andy would write again. I am open to ideas."

Mark Gardener and Goldrush play the Zodiac, Cowley Road, on June 11, with additional tunes from DJ Toby Kid. Doors open at 7pm.Tickets £8.50 advance/ £9.50 on the door. Entry includes end of tour after show party at Trashy club night. Box office 01865 420042.

The Truck Festival is at Steventon, near Didcot, on July 19-20. Book online at www.truckrecords.com