Glenn Hughes has played with some of the biggest acts in rock history.

However, he believes his new group have an added edge – because they all get on with each other.

Black Country Communion, also featuring blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian on keyboards and Jason Bonham – son of Led Zeppelin legend John – on drums, play Glasgow's O2 Academy tomorrow.

And it's their friendship that makes the band special, says Glenn, the former Deep Purple singer and bassist.

"When someone is in a band, no matter what age they are, it's about the camaraderie in the band," he says.

"In the 1970s, all the major rock bands, whether it was Zeppelin, Purple, The Who, Yes, Floyd or Genesis, everyone was fighting or doing strange things with each others' wives.

"It was all inappropriate, so it is nice to be in a band with a lot of love and laughter and where we are all on the same page."

Folling an original jamming session between Joe and Glenn, the duo swiftly decided to make up a full band.

With material as powerful as the 70s rock greats Glenn mentioned, the band have already reeled off two albums in nine months, with last year's Black Country followed by 2 being released last month.

It's only now, however, the group are set to head out on the road.

Explains Glenn: "We waited to do the tour because we wanted to have two albums to choose from.

"That's because most bands with one album play a short set, or a lot of covers, and we didn't want to do that.

"It wasn't our idea from the start to do the two albums so close together, but after we did the first one we went our separate ways.

"Then, last summer, Kevin Shirley (the band's producer) phoned me and said, 'How do you feel about writing some songs for a new record?'.

"I would rather do that in my studio, so I took four months away from touring and wrote what you hear as the backbone for 2."

For his lyrics, Glenn drew upon some of the varied experiences of his life. After fronting the funk-rock act Trapeze in the early 70s, he joined Deep Purple in 1973, staying there for three years.

Since then he has played in a host of other acts, but also battled drugs and booze.

"I have lived a very colourful life, and have a lot to draw from," he reflects.

"Whether it is addiction, or grief, or falling into the chasm of Hell, let's just say I have done a few things that have made me the man I am today, and I choose to sing songs about those things.

"I have done stuff under the influence I'm not proud of. I was not really harmful to others, more to myself – I was not a raging, violent man, but on a spiritual level I did things that were not appropriate.

"It was colourful, but I would not change anything, either."

There are now other things to occupy Glenn's time. He hosts his own radio show on Planet Rock and is also involved with charity work, particularly ChildLine.

But being in a rock band is still what drives him on, especially getting to play live.

"There's no Wizard Of Oz behind the curtain. There are no pro tools going on, it is live and we can stretch a little bit and do what we feel is right.

"We can do the songs as they are on the record, but add a little bit of extra something in there. That is what's great about this band."

What's also great for Glenn is returning to Glasgow. After years away, he came back with his own band last year, and can't wait for another gig tomorrow.

"I had not been to Glasgow in a long time, but the ABC last year was amazing.

"For me, Glasgow always holds a special place because Trapeze were popular there. The second last show I did with Purple was there, too, although that was a debacle."

His mention of Deep Purple prompts a question about his time with the band.

Does he harbour any resentment for the bitter way he departed the group?

"There is no bitterness. The things that happened, good, bad, or indifferent, were supposed to happen. It was a very sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll time for me, and I learned what to do, and what not to do.

"I became stronger because of it. David Coverdale is the only one I still speak to, and we're tight.

"That's all I need – you do not need to choose your friends in this industry and I am happy with the ones I have."

l Black Country Communion, tomorrow, O2 Academy, £40/£45, 7pm.