ALAN Williamson could not believe his luck.

One day he was being asked to audition for a band - a few weeks later he was playing at Wembley Arena.

The Larkhall man stepped in as bassist for hotly tipped rockers LostAlone a couple of years ago, instantly going from tiny gigs back home to a support slot with 30 Seconds To Mars, the band fronted by Hollywood star Jared Leto.

"The 30 Seconds to Mars tour was where I played Glasgow for the first time with the band," recalls Alan, who will play in Glasgow on Wednesday with LostAlone.

"It was really cool for my family and friends to see what I was up to and it was the SECC, which was a change from playing at Nice'N'Sleazy in front of four folk.

"It was overwhelming, but it was something I have always wanted to do since I was going to these venues when I was 12 or 13.

"I knew I belonged up there. I remember the first big one was at Wembley Arena, so I was shaking back stage before that, but as soon as I went on stage you go into a different mindset."

LostAlone were formed by singer Steven Battelle and drummer Mark Gibson in 2006, and released a well-received debut record, Say No To The World, a year later.

Now, however, they have much bigger goals in mind – their second album, I'm A UFO In This City, has amped up their brand of bombastic, stylish hard rock and seen the group earn airplay on Radio 1 with the booming single Love Will Eat You Alive.

Alan believes part of the band's growing reputation is due to the nature of songwriter Steven, who pens songs at a furious rate.

"He is like a songwriting machine. When I came to join the band, he already had about 100 demos recorded," says Alan.

"Then, in the month before recording, he came up with some great songs, when he was under a bit more pressure to find songs that would fit the album.

"He would be writing a song every day, sending it to me and Mark in the afternoon and then on to the record label after tea."

The album is just the latest step in Alan's own musical progression, after he first came to know the LostAlone guys while supporting them with a previous band in Glasgow.

They then asked him to try out when they were hunting for a new bassist.

Among the other big acts he has now opened for are American stars My Chemical Romance, while a tour with Gothic group Evanescence is lined up for later this year.

And touring with Gerard Way was not a daunting experience. due to the hugely popular band being so friendly. "We toured with those guys for a few months, which was unbelievable because some of the venues and crowds were incredible," says Alan.

"When I first joined the band it was two or three months later that we joined My Chemical Romance to gig in Hollywood for a few shows, so that was a taster for me and it was amazing.

"We would chat to them every day, they were really friendly guys and just in it for the music. Everything was shared on the tour and their crew would work with us, such a good vibe."

Such shows have also given the bassist the chance to try and get tips from some of the biggest and best acts around, and that's an opportunity he has loved.

He says: "I just pick things up from watching bands live, especially at the bigger shows," he says.

"Some of the bigger bands can take control of a crowd and get 10,000 people in the palm of their hands. Any band we are playing with I will watch and try to pick up things from there."

Now things are going at a rapid pace for the trio, and Alan hopes the band will be going forward with a third album as soon as possible, building on this year's success.

"We have pretty much got the songs already," he says.

"We have a lot of demos, as once one album is done we go back into songwriting again. I reckon we will try to record the album early next year – bands in the 1970s would be releasing an album or two every year and we would love to do that."

Yet there is one problem that could ruin it all.

Steven still says the only reason I got in the band is because I have long black hair" he jokes. "I'm dreading the day I go bald in case I get kicked out!"

n LostAlone, King Tut's, tomorrow, £10, 8pm.