“THERE’S always method in my madness,” laughs Alan Nimmo, the charismatic, kilt-wearing frontman of leading blues rock outfit King King who head to Blackburn next week.

He’s referring to his decision to revamp the line-up of a band which had become a rock juggernaut scooping award after award for both albums and live performances.

In 2019 bass player Zander Greenshields joined the band along with drummer Andrew Scott and the following year, Alan’s brother Stevie was added as a second guitarist.

“I’ve always had a certain sound for the band which I want and I’m getting to achieve that now,” he said. “I’ve got the right formula for that. I’m not satisfied yet, I’m not ready to just sit back but with the old line-up I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I needed more strength behind me with guitar work and needed the backing vocals.”

King King had undergone line-up changes in the past but following the band’s 10th anniversary, Alan was the only original member left and he effectively began to assemble a new band around him.

“I knew there would be a backlash and that some people wouldn’t be happy about it,” he said, “but to be honest it didn’t worry me in the slightest because I was so confident that I was doing the right thing.

“To all those doubters I’d just say come along and see the band live and then decide.

“It’s sounding great and we have all really gelled together.

“This isn’t just some band I joined, this has been my baby from the beginning. It means more to me than anyone else regardless of what the social media vultures might say. This actually does mean more to me than it does to them. I needed it to be different and take the plunge and I was utterly confident about how it would work out.”

The band are currently working on a new album which originally was intended to be released to coincide with the current tour.

“That has gone back a bit,” said Alan, “as both myself and Johnny our keyboard player were ill for a period over Christmas so we lost quite a bit of time.

“I’m really enjoying the whole recording process now which, being honest for a number of years, I didn’t. I like how we write and piece the songs together and get them demoed. When you get that kind of preparation done, when you get in the studio you can get the songs recorded in no time.”

Alan is hoping to introduce a couple of the new songs into the live shows.

“It’s a good challenge for us and nice for the fans to hear something new,” he said.

Alan and Stevie had previously performed together as The Nimmo Brothers and Alan is delighted to have Stevie in King King.

“Stevie and I are best mates,” he said. “We’ve got something special in terms of the music that you literally cannot buy and you cannot teach. There is this telepathic connection in terms of the music and how we blend as musicians and singers.

“It had got to point where I knew I needed another guitar player as I was trying to juggle way too many plates and, to be honest, there’s only one guitarist I’d ever want to work with and that was my brother. When I asked him to come on board he was more than happy.

“Stevie’s never wanted to be the frontman; the one dealing with all the nonsense. He just loves playing and I’ve never seen him so happy - he’s found his place in music.

“Stevie is a great addition to the songwriting process as well. He’s able to get inside my head and can write something that he knows I’m looking for without me having to give him a nudge; that’s something you cannot pay for – and believe me I don’t.

For the tour, King King will be supported by Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze.

“That’s going to be great,” said Alan. “I’ve been a big fan for years.”

King King, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Thursday, March 30. Details from www.bwdvenues.com