WHEN it comes to capturing a stunning image on video, some musicians are so dedicated to their art, that even plunging themselves into icy waters off the North Devon coast (on one of the most snowy weekends for many a year, I might add), is all in a day's work.

The musician, in this case, was Dominic Greensmith, drummer with the newly re-formed indie rock sensation that is Reef — and, in all likelihood, the most successful chart topper to have come out of the region.

The video was for Winter Sun, a single to be released with his new band, The Black Swan Effect (but more on that later).

First, the big news for Reef fans is that the band have reunited for a six-date tour. Dominic, for one, sounds like he can't wait to get out there.

"I am looking forward to it," he said. "It will be fun to do some more gigs. We were always talking about it and people were coming up to us saying: 'When are you going to do some more Reef gigs?' We'd say: 'I don't know. One day it will happen. The time will be right."

That time is now and the band responsible for the chart stormer Place Your Hands are off on a nationwide tour. Could this be the beginning of a new chapter for the four-piece who've had high profile appearances on Top Of The Pops and TFI Friday as well as playing Glastonbury and Reading festivals?

"I don't know. I'm honestly not thinking about that at all. There might be some possibility of doing some festivals in the summer, you never know. At the moment there is no plan for any of that. Of course we might all have a great time and then we might write some more songs."

Dominic, a former student of Park School and North Devon College, cut his musical teeth locally in a band called Big Fish, with fellow musician and best friend Jason Knight (Jason later performed live with Reef on tour) and Julie Brighten (now a West End star).

"We did, yeah! We thought it was the best band in the world. You know like you should do. Every band should think: 'This is the band'. But looking back I'd probably think it sounds awful now but it was all right for the time."

Although he officially studied art at college, Dominic spent much of his time learning his future trade in local bands around the area.

Did he always want to hit the big time?

"Everyone who wants to be in a band dreams of that. Everyone wants to be a success at it. Totally. That's part of being a kid, you just want to conquer the world."

Although the father of four now lives in Frome in Somerset, he still comes down to visit his parents in Appledore.

"I love it. It's just a bit far to get into London to live there, but one day we would love to come back down there and be by the sea, definitely."

His latest jaunt to North Devon was in the blizzard, when he and fellow members of his new band The Black Swan Effect, who are signed to Peter Gabriel's label Real World Records, were making a video for their new single.

"We went to Lee Bay and all around there in the snow. It's a song called Winter Sun. I wanted to get a bit of winter. It was great but it involved me getting in the sea, though, which wasn't so great!"

As well as touring with The Black Swan Effect, he's also been playing alongside former Genesis singer and world music guru, Peter Gabriel.

"That was amazing. I love Peter Gabriel. He was one of my musical heroes. He's just brilliant. To be asked to play on his last album and do a Jools Holland with him, was amazing."

His advice to young musicians who want to get their music out there?

"Believe in yourself and believe it is possible, because it is. Just keep doing it. Keep writing songs even if you think it's crap to begin with you'll get better at it. Enjoy it."

The man with the drum sticks also advocates dancing to your own beat.

"Try not to follow too much. It's part of being younger to follow other bands and you try and be like them because it's part of the learning. Eventually it's good to break away from that."

Meanwhile six dates on the road with Reef beckon and Dominic is looking forward to it:

"It will be fun. We always had a good time playing and we've got some good fans who are all getting excited about it."

● Reef play at Bristol Academy on April 21. For details and more dates visit: www.reefband.com or www.myspace.com/reefmusicuk.

The Black Swan Effect have an album due out on April 5 and a single due out on March 29. Details visit: www.myspace.com/theblack swaneffect or www.realworld records.com.