WRECKLESS Eric is one of the music scene’s great characters.

At the height of punk and new wave he was one of the first artists signed to the emerging Stiff record label and songs like Take the Kash, Semaphore Signals and particularly the massive hit Whole Wide World made him a household name.

But Eric (born Eric Goulden) has never been one to conform and he turned his back on the success and since then has continued to make music under his terms.

Next week he will make a rare appearance in East Lancashire with a solo performance at the area’s newest music venue.

Now living in New York - his home for many years with wife Amy Rigby with whom he has released three albums - Eric is in fine form when we speak.

Our conversation veers from his thoughts on Donald Trump, ships in bottles, the perils of the internet and the value of history.

“I can’t believe the things that man has done,” he says referring to the new American president. His obvious unease at the current incumbent in the White House won’t change his opinions about living in the States however.

“It was a very good thing for me to move to America,” he said. “It felt like finally I had some kind of vindication as a musician. I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of musicians over here and I’ve found out that I’m quite revered which I didn’t know.

“I never really knew how I measured up as a musician in the UK. It was a great thing to be here but there is an atmosphere that not so good at the moment.”

The former art school student turned pop star is both erudite and irreverent whom you underestimate at your peril and who flits from topic to topic punctuating the conversation with many a mischievous chuckle.

“For last couple of years I’ve mainly being playing songs from AmErica, my last album,” he said. “I always play Whole Wide World. I don’t make a big deal of it but it’s in the set somewhere. I’m very proud of it now although I did go through phase of refusing to play it.

“But then I realised it’s every kids dream to have a hit that you can play and moves people and I’d got one.”

Eric says that he is currently working on a new album due for release in October.

“I’ve always been working, it’s just that people have always known it,” he laughs. “I’m having to force the pace this time as it takes me ages to make records.

“But over the years I haven’t done badly I have made a hell of a lot of albums.”

These include recordings under different names including the Len Bright Combo and the Hitsville House Band.

Looking back at his early years Eric admits he wasn’t prepared for so much success so young.

“When I was with Stiff and Whole Wide World came out I never realised until it was all over what was happening,” he said.

“Ian Dury who was friends with my mum warned her ‘it’s too much too soon, he hasn’t got a chance’ and he was right.

“Now I’ve been able to understand it and it’s actually really good. I know not to read all the bad things people say and I’ve also learned not to worry myself stupid about things because they will inevitably sort themselves out.”

Wreckless Eric, Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre, Thursday, May 4. Details from 01282 813 374 or www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com