This looks rather like a Buddleja. Whilst I agree that it is in need of pruning, if you do it now you will lose the flowers! I would try and wait until late spring when it has finished flowering, Dave.

thanks for the help...

I'd add that yes, it is a buddleia of some description, but can you remember when it flowered and what shape and colour they were? Buddleia davidii has those long, cone shaped flowers in shades of purple, through to lilac or white - Buddleia globosa has orange ball shaped flowers at a different time of year. Pruning of the davidii ones is in March, hard back to within 2 inches of last year's growth - globosa, though, should not be pruned till after it has flowered, usually in May or June.

It looks like a globosa to me. If it looks too much of a mess I would forego the flowers for this year and prune it as hard as you like in March otherwise as Bulbaholic and Bamboo say wait until after it has flowered.