The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft thinks the band should be regarded in the same was as the US hip-hop collective The Wu-Tang Clan.

Ashcroft told the BBC that despite their current reunion, the group had no long term plans and are only committed to fulfilling a series of summer shows.

"I don't understand why The Verve aren't seen like the Wu-Tang Clan, keeping it alive as a satellite, no matter what is going on around you, personally between each other,” he said.

Ashcroft added that he wouldn't have agreed to reform the band if it meant they would have to go on an extensive tour.

"I certainly would never have started this and signed on a dotted line if somebody had said you're off now like Chris Martin for the next two years," he said.

"It's just not where I'm at. I'm definitely up for coming together to make some music and do some great concerts.”

Despite the band's reunion, Ashcroft said he still plans to proceed with his solo career, which began after the band split in the late 90s.

"I do buzz off doing stuff on my own, I have gained confidence with that, I've beaten a lot of cynics down. I'm in a very comfortable, good place in my mind about that."

As previously reported, yesterday Ashcroft spoke for the first time about the group's performance at Glastonbury, calling it "the biggest bungee jump I've done for a long time."

(by Jason Gregory)