Gene Loves Jezebel was a group which I listened
a whole lot to in the 80´s. Now have they come
back with an album and it is Jay who talks to me
about everything from punk to big hair….june-17
You have had a long break with the group now or
do you have been playing as a band between the
last record and the one before?
-We’ve
never stopped working. We just haven't recorded
together for a long time. I've been working on a
project with Pete Rizzo called “Ugly Buggs.” A
very theatrical, more electronically based music
than GLJ. I’ve also worked on developing my
acoustic performances & Pete on his “Rizzo”
music (very cool stuff. He sings & amongst other
things, plays a wicked Ukulele!). James
Stevenson has done a lot with The Alarm, Holy
Holy (Tony Visconti & Woody Woodmansey's
excellent all star band, that plays Bowie music
they were both heavily involved in). He’s toured
as second guitar with The Cult & of course his
punk band from his schooldays “Chelsea.” Not to
mention tons of recordings with great artists
like Scott Walker. Chris Bell has toured &
recorded with Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers &
done so many other things with new artists you'd
have to ask him for a list!
Which members is it now? Please tell me a little
about every member, , instrument, age, bands
before and something really interesting about
ever one…?
-Same
band for over 32 years!
Well, read the above! Ages, now all in our 50’s!
Chris is an original member of the Thompson
Twins & Spear of Destiny. He has done sketches
of birds for national newspapers, many times!
Pete Rizzo was in Troy Tate’s (Teardrop
Explodes) band. He recorded & toured a lot with
them. Loves hiking & rough camping (I think
that’s what it’s called!). I've only ever been
in Gene Loves Jezebel. The band I named &
formed. I think nothing of walking 20 miles for
a stroll. James was in Kim Wilde’s band. Look
for his cute face in “Kids in America” Video! An
expert on vintage guitars (especially
American).
I know you never have been playing punk but are
you raised with punk and what does punk mean to
you?
-James
Stevenson was in Chelsea. One of the original
British punkbands. You should drop him a line!
Punk meant a lot to me. Set me free. A true
revolution that allowed me to be me. So
exciting. Great energy. Definitely had a massive
impact on the four of us. Every member of this
band could elaborate on what it meant & means to
them personally, but for me I can say that it
informs everything I do when I approach
songwriting. Keep things lean! Ha ha.
Please describe Genes music with three words?
-Big
Hair Music! Ha ha.
What´s the difference of doing songs nowadays if
you compare with then you were younger?
-I
still write in exactly the same way.
Is it also some difference how you think about
fame, hitlists and these things nowadays?
-I
don't care for it. I wish I could just release
music & nothing else. Here’s my album, hope you
like it! Unfortunately we live in a media
content hungry world The beast can never have
enough! I miss the old “word of mouth” days.
What do you think about downloading and that
sort of stuff?
-There’s always an
up & down side to everything. There’s no going
back. It's great that we can share so easily,
but it's impossible to make a living out of
music nowadays. Music seems to have become
totally & utterly disposable. This makes me
sad.
Can you feel that you have released a LP if you
don´t release it physical and only on the net?
-Well,
we’re releasing “Dance Underwater” in all
formats. It feels like a big event for us. An
important album.
Why did it became Westworld Recordings, haven´t
they mostly punkrelated stuff which they
release?
-They
have great taste & are very up about us. Proud
to be part of it.
Is it much concerts right now when you release
the new record?
-We’ve
just done gigs in The Netherlands, Germany,
Portugal & London. We’re planning to tour after
the summer. Let the “Dance Underwater” sink in
first. Hopefully people like it & are as excited
by it as we are.
Which type of people comes to your concert, age?
Is it only old fans or do you seem to attract
younger and newer fans too?
-Lots
of new fans. Our music is very song oriented.
Songs always appeal to new ears as well as they
do to our established fan base. Always new
faces, new people to meet.
How is it to play this sort of music right now
in England?
-We’ve
only played London, but I'm sure it'll go down
as well everywhere in the UK. Fans travelled
from far & wide to see us.
Is there any good bands in England right now?
-Probably. 😎
Have you ever been to Sweden and played and what
do you know about Sweden?
-Many
years ago. Absolutely loved playing there. We
almost came to Stockholm recently with our
friends The Mission. It was impractical I'm
afraid, but we’d love, love to come.
Have you heard any good Swedish band?
-First Aid Kit. Very
good at what they do (though I don't think James
& Chris would agree). I know there's a big Metal
scene. You'll have to point me to some. The
other lads in the band are much more clued in
than me. I live in my own little bubble.
The name Gene Loves Jezebel, how did it came up
and you weren´t afraid that someone else would
have taken the name before you? Are you
satisfied with it?
-I
wanted something that was a little more
colourful than what
was around at the time we formed. Everything was
black. I always thought Gene Vincent represented
that punk ethic we talked about. Keep things
lean. No fat on the music. I was called
“Jezebel” by a film student in Chelsea.
Something to do with my appearance I think. So
Gene loves Jezebel.
I didn't think there'd be another GENE LOVES
JEZEBEL. I think it's a very original name & it
definitely got us noticed. So yes, I'm very
satisfied with it.
Five records you can´t be without?
-I'm
not speaking for the band again (ha ha), but off
the top of my head:
1. Waterloo Sunset/The Kinks
2. Be My Baby/The Ronettes
3. Winter/The Rolling Stones
4. Barangrill/Joni Mitchell
5. On The Beach/Neil Young
Have GLJ ever done a political song? If you have
which one is most political?
-Every
song is political really. “Cry 4 U” on “Dance
Underwater” is about Brexit. It was almost
called “Cry 4 E.U.”
Do you think that politic and music can go
together? If you think so which is the best
political group?
-Totally.
The Clash or Crass. Bob Marley was pretty
political, in a very tuneful & groovy way.
Dylan, Neil Young. Lots of great bands.
Which is the song most people want to hear is it
The Motion of love or which is it? And which is
your favorite to play?
-Depends
where we are. “Break The Chain” is like a
national anthem in some countries. “How do you
say goodbye to someone you love” from “Dance
Underwater” blows audiences away so far. We do
it as our last song in our set, which is very
unusual. Nobody plays a ballad & a brand new
song to close a set! It’s that powerful.
Desire, When we were One, Gorgeous & Stephen are
ones that seem to resonate. We have a lot of
songs!
Have you ever done any cover songs.
-We
did “Frozen” by Madonna. I preferred it before
it was remixed.
Have you ever heard any good cover on some of
your songs? Which are the best you´ve heard?
-I'm
flattered that we get covered. That's all I'd
like to say.
Which are the futureplans for the band ?
-We’re
totally reinvigorated by “Dance Underwater.”
Everything seems so exciting again. We’re doing
so many different things live now. Anything is
possible!
For yourself?
-I
think GLJ will keep me very busy for a while,
but my solo music is very important to me. I
grow so much the more I play live. I find it
both thrilling & petrifying, but always
rewarding. All I have is my acoustic guitar (I
only own one guitar) & my voice. Life on a knife
edge. When it works, it is so powerful. I'll
keep developing that & I’ll probably release
something soon. I work in a very “punk” way. I
literally express myself in one spontaneous take
& that's it! I call it “pure” music. Nothing
planned. Just do it!
Wisdomwword?
-A
wise word? Breathe.
Something more to add?
-Everybody should
learn to play music. We all have voices. Express
your anger/joy! It's good for you & you’ll grow.
Try it. Have no fear.