Hughes seeks to calm Black Country Communion speculation

Break time: Hughes and Bonamassa

Glenn Hughes has stepped back from recent comments about the future of Black Country Communion – saying the band just needs to take time away, and they could tour next year.

The frontman, a former member of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, sparked speculation last month when he suggested BCC’s third album Afterglow could be their last.

He said he needed to be in a band that would tour, but that guitarist Joe Bonamassa’s solo commitments made that impossible. He added that the bluesman’s schedule had meant he’d been left to write most of the record alone.

Speculation increased after BCC announced a one-off show in Wolverhampton, then cancelled it just days later. Then a Twitter exchange between the bandmates seemed to show their relationship had broken down.

But now Hughes suggests all that’s needed is a little time away.

He tells Metal Talk: “In two years we’ve done three albums and one live album. That’s quicker than Led Zeppelin and Purple. I don’t think anybody except Joe releases albums that quick.

“Give us a break. I mean, we need to give you a break. I need a break. It’s really difficult to write ten or twelve quality songs every year for three years. So I need a break now.”

He accepts responsibility for having started the split talk: “The rumour started with me saying I was frustrated. You know why I said it? Maybe to motivate people. But all it did was upset people.

“It’s going to be what it’s going to be.”

Returning to the chances of him, Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian hitting the road together, Hughes says: “I would say to you, yes, we’re going to tour. But if we don’t, don’t come and shoot me.”

Afterglow, produced by Kevin Shirley, is released on October 29. Last week Hughes tweeted: “Afterglow was written for my next solo album but I was happy to record these songs with BCC. It’s a special band, like no other.”