Thunder time

Known to millions around the world as a high-kicking action hero, Stephen Seagal has a secret life. The actor, beloved of red-necked movie goers, is reinventing himself as a touchy-feely Renaissance man.

To the surprise of many who relish his far-fetched martial arts moves and the high body count of blockbusters Under Siege and Executive Decision, Seagal is a man who has got the blues. Quite literally.

Seagal is hitting the road with his own band Thunderbox, an old English and Australian (though clearly not American) term for a toilet. On March 17 the guys hit Oxford, for a gig at the Town Hall. It looks like being a lively affair.

"We have had some really good shows," he says, taking time out after a sound check in Norwich.

"People have been jumping up, screaming and having a good time."

Unfortunately, the enthusiasm has failed to rub off on Steven, who seems tired or under the influence of tranquillizers.

"We are mostly influenced by Delta blues stuff," he drawls.

"I like Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters. Stuff like that. I've never been much of a rock listener. I always listen to CDs of blues and folk.

"The blues is something most people don't even know about, or care about," he adds, sounding pretty nonchalant himself.

"But I'm just playing it because I love it. I was raised with it, and it's in my soul."

It's a departure for the Detroit-born actor, writer, producer and director, whose films such as Out for a Kill, Half Past Dead, Exit Wounds and Marked for Death have earned an estimated $600m worldwide.

But for Steven, a seventh degree black belt and aikido Master, it all makes perfect sense. He is well versed in Buddhism, the art of meditation and a master of Zen. And he says music was his first love.

"I was playing all over the world, but became more famous as an actor."

And do his Southern-fried blues gigs attract the same fans as his high octane movies?

"The fans are a little bit different," he says, sounding irritated.

"With my movies, the core is young action kids. But with my music, you see a lot of old and young people - and hardened blues fans."

So is he the same tough guy on the stage, as on the screen?

"Not at all," he grumbles. "I'm just an ignorant, simple blues player!"

Surely he likes to party after a gig? Well no: "It's hard, touring. Afterwards I just dry off and rest. I'm very quiet."

Among the many strings to Seagal's bow, he is also known as an environmentalist, an animal rights activist, and claims to have been reincarnated.

He has also worked as a bodyguard and a police officer in Louisiana. And he runs his own international company Steven Seagal Enterprises. But he quashes rumours he is part native American.

"That's not true," he insists. "I don't know how that started."

His new album Mojo Priest follows his debut Songs From A Crystal Cave, which was critically acclaimed in the US.

It was recorded in the home of the blues, Memphis, Tennessee. He joined up with some notable artists, including Hurbert Sumlin.

He says: "It was a dream come true to work with these blues legends. They were aware I was going to make an authentic blues album - not a rock album with a blues feel."

And will his new movie career eclipse his fame as an actor? "I have no way of knowing," he growls.

"I play play sell-out shows and people love it. I'm happy to be playing throughout England - and the United Kingdom."

And he invited anyone who spies him in Oxford before the show, to come up and say 'hi': "I am the nicest guy in the world," he says. "I'm nice to everyone all the time!"

Tickets for the Town Hall gig cost £28.50 in advance, from www. wegottickets. com