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It's a mystery that’s been a quarter of a century in the making – who are The Pies?

And why do they paint their name on motorway bridges?

It’s now 27 years since the slogan The Pies first appeared. Some believed them to be a band – some said it was the new name for The La’s.

Gomez had a B-side called M57 (The Pies The Pies). Alexei Sayle wrote his book Overtaken about them.

And now we can reveal – The Pies are back, and better than ever.

Papa Mashee from The Pies says: “The Pies The Pies M57’ is loved by the people the length of the country. Northwestern’s love it because they know they are home. It is on the best graffiti of all time on many motorists’ lists.

"It’s make a lot of people laugh a lot – I mean belly laugh. It helped Alexei Sayle make his first novel Overtaken – where he devotes the first six pages including the foreword speculating hilariously about what it means and who did it.

"Gomez wrote a song about it. Let’s just say it’s legendary. It’s been present for 25 of the last 27 years. It’s has been repainted recently by public demand. That bridge is owned by the people and will always say ‘The Pies The Pies’."

Ashley Martin, the Pies’ lead singer, says: “This is actually the fourth time this has been painted. This one is the biggest, taking both carriageways, and nodding to the original ‘The Pies The Pies’. I absolutely love that on the M57 – it tells me I am home, I travel a lot.”

After 27 years the band now feel ready to make their debut album.

“I have two original Pies joining me to do it,” reveals Ashley.

“Rehearsals start next week. Our target (for the album) is October.”

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