November 10, 2012 10:55
Paul Weller: 'I never saw myself as the spokesman for a generation' Paul Weller Tickets
Modfather also admits splitting up The Jam was "horrible"
Photo Gallery: Paul Weller
Photo: Pa Photos
Paul Weller has insisted that he has never seen himself as "the spokesman for a generation".
The Modfather has long been renowned for his politically and socially conscious songwriting but, in an interview with the Huffington Post, he said: "I never saw myself as a spokesman for a generation. It was all a bit heavy for me. I saw myself as a songwriter and wrote for myself, which I still do, and I also wanted to communicate with my audience. That didn't make me a spokesman back then.
"What I did see were fights at every gig, which made me think that, while the enemy was as the door, we were still squabbling in the dirt," he added. "I wanted to write more positively in reaction to what I saw. I suppose I was much more serious-minded in the '70s and '80s."
Weller also spoke about how hard he had found it to split up his former band, The Jam, who will reissue their classic 1982 album 'The Gift' later this month (November 19) to coincide with its 30th anniversary. "It was horrible to split the band," he said. "My dad thought I was bonkers. Rick [Buckler, drummer] was quite philosophical about it. But Bruce [Foxton, bassist] was devastated. Then, of course, the fans... there were a lot of upset people."
Paul Weller will release a new EP, titled 'Dragonfly', next month. The six-track collection, which is set for release on December 17, will feature songs taken from the recording sessions of his latest studio album 'Sonik Kicks'.
The tracklisting for 'Dragonfly' is as follows:
'Dragonfly'
'Lay Down Your Weary Burden'
'Portal To The Past'
'Devotion'
'We Got A Lot'
'The Piper'
The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.
- Previous: Black Veil Brides to release concept album in January
- Next: Mick Jagger speaks out about Rolling Stones ticket prices
More News
| Date/Time | Venue | Town/City | Seetickets | Viagogo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jun 2013 | Southampton Guildhall | Southampton |
Buy Paul Weller Tickets |
Buy Paul Weller Tickets |
| 28 Jun 2013 | Brighton Dome | Brighton |
Buy Paul Weller Tickets |
Buy Paul Weller Tickets |
| 11 Jul 2013 | Royal Botanic Gardens | Kew |
Buy Paul Weller Tickets |
Buy Paul Weller Tickets |
Please login to add your comment.