Former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock talks ahead of Wolverhampton show

Former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock is about to embark on a one-man tour– the man who once provided the low end for the punk icons' sonic assault now taking to the stage with just an acoustic guitar and his voice.

It is the first solo tour of this kind for Glen, but since leaving behind the infamy of his first band, he has become something of a prolific work horse in the world of rock music. First came The Rich Kids, a mini super group featuring Midge Ure and Rusty Egan, with much of the 80s spent writing and touring with Iggy Pop.

In the 90s, he recorded solo albums for Creation Records, arguably the biggest label of the decade, before reforming the Pistols in 1996.

Since the turn of the millennium he has taken part in numerous Pistols comebacks, a Faces reunion, and recorded a series of albums with his band The Philistines.

In the last month alone, he has continued writing for his new solo album, preparing for his tour, which comes to Wolverhampton's Newhampton Arts Centre on Thursday, as well as touring with Heaven 17. On the eve of the start of his winter tour, he said: "I am really looking forward to it, its something a bit different but I think it will be great.

"I will be performing songs from throughout my career, mixed in with chats with the audience.

"I have done a lot of work over the years but have always made sure that it meant something, it was rooted in reality somewhere, so there is a story behind every song that will be told. It can be intimidating having just an acoustic guitar to go on stage with, but that is a reason to go for it, rather than avoid it.

"I often have a joke with the audience and say they have the opportunity to all become backing singers for the night.

"I think that is something that has stuck with me from family holidays when I was younger. You can take the man out of Butlins but you can't take Butlins out of the man."

Despite this tour being his first 'one-man show', Glen is no stranger to going it alone.

His personal back catalogue includes Who's he Think he is When he's at Home?, Open Mind and Born Running, all albums that cover different styles, while staying true to the authenticity of guitar music.

On writing, Glen said: "I've never really found a great song writing foil, so I have to take the responsibility for whether they stand or fall when taken to the people.

"It doesn't matter if you have written a song last week or 35 years ago, you can always tell if people are enjoying it.

"This tour to me is one step down from being a stand-up comedian, your material is what will make the evening, people aren't there to see a star."

Glen will always be best known for his part in writing Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols.

Released in October 1977, it is the group's one and only contribution to the world of rock music but it inspired more bands than most musicians could ever dream of, with the likes of Oasis, The Jam, Joy Division, The Smiths, The Buzzcocks and more all owing a debt to its 12 tracks.

It is an album still regarded as something more than simply music.

Instead, it is seen as a cornerstone of British counter-culture and a symbol of a time when music really could change the world.

Looking back on the album just over 39 years after its release, Glen said: "It is something I am proud of, it was a long, long time ago now and is very much of its time."

When compared to the ever caustic Johnny Rotten or the natural rebel Steve Jones, it is easy to view Matlock as the 'quiet' Sex Pistol.

Indeed, rumours still persist that he was asked to leave the band for being 'too conservative', even after all these years as a road-hardened rock and roller.

Tickets for An Evening With Glen Matlock cost £20 and VIP meet and greet tickets cost £35, excluding booking fee. Click here