Desperately Seeking Paul : Paul Weller Fan Podcast

The acclaimed Paul Weller Fan Podcast is back with a bang!Join us for Series - The Story of 66 - starting May 17th 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 180: Paul WellerHello and Welcome to Episode 180 of the World's First Paul Weller Fan Podcast...I'm Dan Jennings and ten years ago I gave up my life's dream and career as a radio presenter with one big regret...Never getting to interview my hero... the legendary singer-songwriter and musician - Paul Weller...This podcast exists purely to solve that issue...Welcome to the final episode of Desperately Seeking Paul.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 179: Claire Moon - Artist Manager - Paul WellerOver the course of the past 3 years, we've discovered so much more about how Paul Weller has built one of the most prolific and influential careers in British music, and in this episode we get to peek behind the curtain.Artist manager Claire Moon opens up about her professional journey, leading up to that first fateful meeting with Paul at V2 Records and how she later became his manager - overseeing the business operations at Black Barn Studios. With stories about running the calendar, promoting albums, planning tours with Paul and the Wheeler's, and protecting his back catalogue, Claire reveals how she strategically manages Paul Weller's enduring career.Their deep mutual trust allows her to support his constant drive to make music on his own terms.We get a deeper understanding of his relentless creative spirit - how he is often already busy conjuring up new projects as previous albums are still being promoted - for instance, launching a clothing line or even taking an acting role in a movie...What also really comes through for me is that Claire makes clear her role is to support Paul's ambitions, not to control them - a trust that has allowed one of music's true innovators to continue evolving without losing his essence.Get ready for an all-access pass into Paul Weller's world with this illuminating conversation... It's a huge honour to have Claire on the podcast to share her experiences in the music industry and at Black Barn HQ...Music Immersive...I also chatted to Claire about her role working with Stan Kybert at Music Immersive - the UK's only dedicated immersive music studio. The team pride themselves on meticulously and respectfully enriching artist's music, with the focus on preserving their original vision. Find out more here... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 178: Charles Rees - Black Barn Studio Manager & Engineer + Composer, ProducerAnd so the countdown begins... with our final 3 podcasts in our Desperately Seeking Paul series...On this episode, I take a trip into Black Barn Studios for an unforgettable conversation with Studio Manager & Engineer, Composer and Producer, Charles Rees. From assistant engineer on Heavy Soul in 1997 to becoming studio manager at Black Barn, AKA Paul Weller HQ in 1999 - Charles has played a key role on the sound of so many incredible Paul Weller singles, EPs and albums...He even pops up on a heap of songs playing bass, drums, various synthesizers, harmonium, piano, autoharp, electronics, electric organ, guitar and percussion (Check out that Egg Whisk on the song Long Time!)I'm so delighted that Charles agreed to join me on the podcast - this is not really something that he does - but what you're going to hear is his story. We'll dive back to the beginning and take a deep dive into the day to day running of the output of the studio....It's a real honour and delight to be able to share this with you... ENJOY! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 177: Simon Halfon - Graphic designer and Film Producer on The Style Council, Paul Weller Solo & The JamOn this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we hear from graphic designer and film producer, Simon Halfon to discuss his incredible porfolio of work with The Jam, The Style Council and Paul Weller solo...We find out about his love of The Jam - and how he first met Paul Weller in 1979 following a gig in Bridlington when he and his mates stayed up with the band drinking and putting the world to rights until the early hours.On this podcast chat, we hear how he fell into art design by accident via the creation of a fanzine (that provided another early connection to The Jam) to a job in the postroom at Stiff Records, then assisting Neville Brody at The Face magazine.The first sleeve Simon designed was for Department S, whose singer Vaughn Toulouse became part of a gang of friends that included journalist Paolo Hewitt, DJ Gary Crowley and Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama.His first commission as a freelancer in 1982, was by Paul Weller through the design on the sleeve for a book that he was publishing about the Small Faces.When Paul formed The Style Council with Mick Talbot in 1983, it was Simon that he turned to for the record sleeve designs starting with Speak Like a Child, right the way through to the Modernism album cover that was completed for it's ultimate release in the 90s.We also chat about Simon's creations with Paul Weller for singles and albums for 20 years of the solo career - an incredible collective of work from that first single sleeve from Into Tomorrow in 1991 and those wonderful matchday programmes and merch designs, right through to 2010's Fast Car/Slow Traffic...Simon also designed every album sleeve with Paul from that debut solo album through to Wake Up The Nation in 2010...You'll hear about their shared love of The Beatles (which led to Simon designing the cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Milk and Honey album in 1984) and Simon's work with other long standing clients including the late George Michael and Oasis.In the mid noughties Simon had started to take an interest in the film industry, inspired by friendships forged during his time in LA. He produced his first feature film in 2008, the Kenneth Branagh directed Sleuth, which was to become the last screenplay by Harold Pinter and starred Michael Caine & Jude Law. But it wasn't until 2016 that Simon really embraced the film world, when the Gallagher brothers approached him to tell the story of Oasis. As lead producer, he brought together the team to create the award winning feature ‘Supersonic', a documentary of huge commercial and critical success.We also chat about the incredible Wham documentary for Netflix that he produced - which topped the charts in the summer of 2023... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 176: Joe Connor - Film Director, Screenwriter, Photographer & Musician...On this episode of my Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we cross to Cape Town where we find multi-award-winning Film Director, Musician, Screenwriter and Photographer - Joe Connor on his latest top secret shoot...Our discussion kicks off with the creation of his brilliant Sky Arts Wild Wood Documentary - a 2023 film that features the story behind the 1993 Paul Weller masterpiece as it celebrates it's 30th anniversary.Joe also happened to create the unforgettable kaleidoscope-led music video for Brand New Toy in 2014 - featuring Paul Weller, Ben Gordelier and an actual build of a massive optical toy!2018 saw Joe's first EVER feature-length project hit cinema screens as he followed Paul Weller on his road to a landmark performance at The Royal Festival Hall. May Love Travel with You is a celebration of Paul's True Meanings album and the concerts that led to the Other Aspects double album release.The film documents a stunning performance of the full album, along with plenty of deepcuts and PW classics, inter-cut with interviews with the man himself, and array of amazing collaborators!In 2008, Joe graduated from London's illustrious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with First Class Honours in Performance Art, specialising in Directing, Mime and experimental theatre.While at the Central School, he founded the anarchic theatre collective Parrot {In The} Tank, whose cinematic aesthetic and light-hearted visual humour saw them create shows for the Institute of Contemporary Art, The Roundhouse, The Prague Scenofest and The Arts Theatre in Leicester Square in London's West End.As a filmmaker, Joe has created music videos for some of the biggest artists in music from The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Sam Smith, Harry Styles and Kylie Minogue to Japanese legend Hikaru Utada, Rag'n'Bone Man, Elbow and Placebo.Joe's multitude of talents and trades, combined with his innate storytelling inclination, allow him to craft narratives that entertain, enlighten, and forge connections. His stories reflect a deep understanding of human nature and offer a lens through which we can explore and appreciate our shared experiences.His work has been recognised with nominations at Cannes Lions, D&AD, British Arrows, 1.4 Awards, Creative Circles, with 5 x UK Music Video Award nominations, Vimeo Staff Picks and a Best Director award at the Indie Music Video Festival.His first album, released under the pseudonym Vincent Sonder, also happened to be recorded at Paul Weller's Black Barn Studio...Find out more about Joe's amazing work at josephvconnor.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 175 : Chris Pope from The ChordsOn this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by Chris Pope - Songwriter, Musician and one of the founding members of The Chords.We take a journey through the bands formation at the tail end of 1978, after original singer/guitarist Billy Hassett and his bass playing cousin, Martin Mason, advertised for musicians in NME.Chris got the job and the band were soon into live gigs and studio recordings.Their style was a combination of punk and the 1960s influenced sound of the time.At the end of March 1979, the band played the Wellington in Waterloo to packed crowds with Paul Weller in the audience. This helps the band secure more gigs and an important support slot to The Jam.With the Mod Revival in full swing, what follows are two John Peel sessions, a few singles, Top of the Pops, and an album (So Far Away)....The band also played Loch Lomond Festival in June 1980 with Bad Manners, Stiff Little Fingers, The Tourists and The Jam…Paul Weller was a big supporter of the band and Chris in the press - once calling him “the best songwriter of his generation”...The Chords UKChris Pope formed The Chords UK in 2013 to continue playing ‘classic' Chords tunes such as Maybe Tomorrow, The British Way Of Life and So Far Away - whilst also pushing forward with new music too...The band is made up of Chris, Kenny Cooper, Sandy Michie, and Dave Murrell, with a live setlist featuring all of the original hits along with tracks from the three LP's that they have released so far.They have been cited live as “an incendiary rock n roll outfit” by Louder Than War.You can buy the music on Bandcamp, watch videos on YouTube , listen on Spotify and follow for news and live show info on Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 174: Ben Gordelier - Musician, Producer, Drums/Samples/Percussion for the Paul Weller band...What a delight it is to have Paul Weller band member - Ben Gordelier - join me on my podcast.Ben chats about his discovery of music, love of The Beatles and Laurel & Hardy, being "brought up in a music rehearsal studio" and working as a drummer and producer since his early teens... even going on his first European tour at the age of 16!...Since 2012, Ben has been playing drums, percussion and performing samples with Paul Weller - from the Sonik KIcks gigs at The Roundhouse to gigs across the UK, Europe, Japan, USA, Australia... that stunning Other Aspects gig at the Royal Festival Hall through to the latest tours, festivals and TV performances...He has played a key role on many of Paul's albums too - starting with The Attic on Sonik Kicks, with more input on Saturns Pattern, A Kind Revolution, On Sunset and Fat Pop....We've had plenty of singles and b-sides in that time too - including the cover of Birthday for Paul McCartney's 70th with Brand New Toy and Flame Out as other great examples...Together with Andy Crofts and others, Ben is also part of the band The Moons - releasing 4 studio albums including 2020's fabulous Pocket Melodies - recorded at Studio 2 Abbey Road.Any spare time he has is spent in his home studio recording drums for various artists and mixing bands from all over the globe... including previous podcast guests - P.P. Arnold, Declan O'Rourke, Steve Ellis and Steve Brookes... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 173: Simon O'Brien - from The Style Council fan to Weller Tour Crew…On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we meet Simon O'Brien and hear his a journey from The Style Council fan in his teens to joining Paul Weller tour security in 2000.We talk Red Wedge, the Paul Weller Movement, and being In the right place at the right time for the Heliocentric tour with a band on fire...You'll hear stories on Paul, John Weller, Kenny Wheeler, and unforgettable gigs across the UK - including V2000, Glasgow's Gig on the Green and the final night at Earl's Court... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 172: Dylan White - Legendary Record PluggerOn this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by legendary record plugger, Dylan White.Dylan has worked in the music business for over 30 years now... UK Radio & TV Music Promotion, Consultant and Artist Management. A multi-award-winning record plugger since the early 90s, he has promoted the music of Oasis, U2, Fatboy Slim, Travis, Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Suede, Primal Scream, The Libertines, Portishead, Billy Bragg, Manic Street Preachers, and more...And of course - Paul Weller... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 171: All Mod Cons - The World's First Tribute to The Jam... Barry Pugatch and Andy Cook share their story...On this episode of the podcast, we hear the story of Barry Pugatch and Andy Cook - two fans of The Jam who ended up bringing one of the original tribute bands from the US to the UK for sell out performances in the 1990s.All Mod Cons were created in Boston, New England, USA in 1989 with Barry as Paul Weller on lead vocals and guitar with his pals - Glenn Matto (Bruce Foxton) on bass and vocals and AJ Beaulieu (Rick Buckler) on drums.What follows is a remarkable story of connections via a Paul Weller fanzine that saw Andy Cook take on management of the band to bring them to the UK for tours in the 1990s and 2000's.This was pre-From The Jam, pre-The Gift - it was really pre-tribute bands bar the odd couple like Bjorn Again and Australian Pink Floyd. At the time, All Mod Cons were also really the only way to hear a full set of those classic songs by The Jam live in concert.In our podcast chat, you'll how they both got to meet and interact with Paul, Bruce and Rick on various occasions.. and even how Barry got to jam with Paul in a unique location!... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 170: Robert Howard / Dr. Robert - The Blow MonkeysOn this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by Singer, Songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist and Producer, Robert Howard, aka Dr. Robert of The Blow Monkeys.We take a journey through his youth and his discovery of punk, politics and The Jam whilst living in Australia in the 1970s... He returned home in 1981 and formed the band, leading to so many fabulous albums and singles - their debut Limping for a Generation, that breakthrough LP Animal Magic and their hit singles Digging Your Scene, It Doesn't Have To Be This Way, Choice - right up to their brilliant 2021 album release Journey To You...On the podcast, we hear so many personal stories , never told before, about his friendship and collaborations with Paul Weller - whether it's recording at Solid Bond, being part of Red Wedge, an Honorary Councillor for the final The Style Council live shows, co-producing Dee C. Lee's Slam Slam project and playing on each others early solo albums.We also chat about Rise Up Singing - the Monks Road Social collaboration that saw Paul and Robert come together for a new song together in 2022... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 169: Carleen Anderson - Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Writer...My latest podcast guest Carleen Anderson really needs no introduction. A genuine world class artist... She's such a huge talent in her own right and another to enter Paul Weller's orbit during the solo years - providing us with some very special moments on record and live.Throughout her solo career, she's been featured alongside a multitude of established artists from a wide array of musical genres - Nigel Kennedy, Dr. John, Omar, Chrissie Hynde, Jocelyn Brown, Meshell Ndgeocello, Paul McCartney, Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Ramsay Lewis and more...The Huffington Post called her "Without doubt one of the all-time great female vocalists... Carleen must be seen to be believed..."Amy Winehouse once said "Carleen Anderson - She's someone who I would sit around the venue all day, just to hear her soundcheck..."On this exclusive podcast chat, we hear about her upbringing in Houston, Texas where she was raised by her paternal grandparents during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Reared up on the sounds rooted in Gospel music inherited from the Pentecostal church where the pastor, David Anderson, Sr. her paternal Grandfather, and her Grandmother Alberta, raised her from an infant. We'll hear stories of her musical family. She is the daughter of soul singer Vicki Anderson, step-daughter of singer, songwriter, Bobby Byrd... and god-daughter of James Brown!. Her birth Father, Dr. Reuben P. Anderson, Sr., is the pastor of his own church in Compton, California, further extending the connection Carleen still retains in gospel music.We'll hear about her relocation with her son to England in 1990 and the just-by-chance beginning of her professional career as the vocalist, composer, arranger and recording artist for Young Disciples. The band were shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1992.Carleen released her debut solo album in 1994, and was nominated for a Independent Artist Brit Award in 1995.Our connections with Paul Weller begin with Young Disciples as their album was recorded at Solid Bond Studio, and take us through Paul's debut solo album through standout highlights on Stanley Road -especially their spine-tingling shared vocals on Wings of Speed, a co-produced Carleen Anderson album called Blessed Burden in 1998, and performances on record and on stage around Illumination and Studio 150 - complete with two DVD releases of those Weller gigs...Carleen was named Jazz FM's UK Vocalist of 2013 and four years later, musicologist Gilles Peterson presented her with a Worldwide FM Lifetime Achievement Award.These days, Carleen is focused on establishing a platform to expand the stylings of music storytelling theatre.Her most recent album - Cage Street Memorial - was nominated in 2018 for Jazz FM's Innovation of the Year. The project was more than just an album of original music, it was also a theatre production written and performed by Carleen, and an autobiographical book of the same name.Since 2020, she has been working on what she describes as "a blended-roots Opera called MELIOR Opus Griot" with a regional premiere in Devon and a worldwide double album release scheduled for 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 168: Sam Molnar talks Wake Up Woking, Wild Wood at Woking Hospice and a 50 year friendship...On this episode of the podcast, we chat to Sam Molnar and hear his incredible connections with Paul Weller from The Jam to now...We'll discover how he's become Sammy Carpet to the Weller family... how he created Wake Up Woking and an incredible homecoming gig in 2010... which featured live music from Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Steve Brookes and Paul's first gig in his home-town for 30 years.More up to date, Sam came up with the idea for the Wild Wood Garden at Woking Hospice which Paul opened in 2022, raising further awareness and much needed funds for the hospice... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 167: Keiko Egawa... Super-fan stories from Tokyo to London and beyond...On this episode of my Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by Keiko Egawa - a Japanese super-fan who has been to hundreds of gigs over the past 40+ years - seeing The Jam sixty-nine times, The Style Council sixty plus and Paul Weller solo over one-hundred and fifty times...We'll hear her story from discovering The Jam through In The City as a teenager growing up in Tokyo, to travels to London for her first live experience of the band at The Rainbow Theatre and adventures across the UK, Europe and back home from 1980 to now...You're going to hear how one band and their music changed her life forever...Along with some very special memories with some lovely connections with Paul Weller, and his dad / manager, John Weller over the years too... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by music journalist Adrian Thrills.Adrian became a fan of The Jam from 1976 - pre-Polydor record deal - seeing them at the 100 Club, upstairs at Ronnie Scotts, The Marquee, Red Cow in Hammersmith and at many more gigs... Together with his friend, Shane McGowan, Adrian did one of the very first interviews with the band for own 48 Thrills fanzine (One of the original punk fanzines that launched in '76).As a friend, and journalist, he became part of the inner-circle, even joining the band on the road with gigs in Dunstable, Crawley, Malvern, Falkirk and Barrow-in-Furnesss...Adrian spent the 1980s at NME, where he continued to feature and review The Jam, even conducting one of the final interviews with Paul before the split at the end of 1982.Look closely at the rear sleeve for live album Dig the New Breed for a brilliant shout-out too!"A brief six years , sweaty frantic Red Cow residency, 1st week 50 people, 2nd week 100, by the fourth week. A queue around the block! SWITCH the marquee with Shane, Claudio and Adrian dancing on stage to the confusion of the usual Marquee hippies!"In more recent years, Adrian has been a music writer for The Daily Mail and he's reviewed plenty of Paul Weller albums in his time there.He also created sleeve notes on The Very Best of The Jam, The Jam Live at the BBC and the Hit Parade boxset in 2006. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we hear the incredible story of Reaction - a Mod-influenced band from Burton-on-Trent, formed in November 1980 by Bruno Gallone.It was a real delight to hear Bruno's incredible story from creating the band before he could even play an instrument to their first gig a few weeks later at the Guild Street Mod night in Burton....What came next sounds too good to be true... but yes it actually happened.... on this podcast chat we dig in to the quite frankly ridiculously brilliant story of how, just a year later, the band got to support their heroes, The Jam, at the Hammersmith Palais in London (15th Dec 1981).Playing mainly in venues throughout the midlands and London, REACTION played with passion and energy building a strong following in the Mod Revival scene, playing their own headline shows and with the likes of Secret Affair, Purple Hearts, and The Lambrettas amongst others.Although there were several personnel changes throughout their short time, they stayed fiercely loyal to their beliefs and especially their home town, right up until their very last gig in May 1982.Bruno returned to music in 2006 as a solo artist, and during lockdown ended up creating new music with Reaction for an album that celebrated their part in the Mod Revival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the 40th anniversary of the release of Introducing The Style Council (Sept 1983), it seemed fitting to spend an episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast revelling in the enduring magic of this iconic band.To commemorate this milestone, we have the privilege of diving into the heartfelt stories of two unwavering super-fans, Brenda Taylor and Karen McBride.Their journey into the world of The Style Council began against the backdrop of the early '80s when Brenda, already a devoted fan of The Jam, crossed paths with Karen while working as nurses. Little did they know that their shared passion for music, particularly the soulful sounds of The Style Council and the enigmatic Paul Weller, would lay the foundation for an extraordinary 40-year friendship.What you're about to discover are not just anecdotes, but a treasure trove of memories, laughter, and the kind of escapades that only true music aficionados can relate to. Brenda and Karen's enduring friendship has been interwoven with the music of The Style Council, creating a bond that has withstood the test of time.Their tales will take you on a nostalgic journey through four decades of music and friendship. From intimate gigs in smoky, dimly lit clubs to tales on board the band bus, to organised coach & ferry trips into Europe and jet-setting across the globe to catch electrifying performances, Brenda and Karen have witnessed it all. Their shared experiences reflect the passion and dedication of fans who have truly lived and breathed the music.This episode is a testament to the enduring power of music to unite hearts and transcend time.So, get ready to immerse yourself in the stories that have woven the tapestry of Brenda and Karen's lives together, all thanks to the timeless music of The Style Council. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 163 - Billy Sullivan - Singer, Songwriter & Musician talks Paper Dreams Solo Debut, The Spitfires supporting Paul Weller, a love of The Jam and more.My special guest on this episode of Desperately Seeking Paul - The Paul Weller Fan Podcast is the hugely talented singer, songwriter and musician - Billy Sullivan.His story takes us from a love of music as a child through to the formation of The Spitfires in 2012 and building a cult fan base on their own terms through hundreds of highly energetic and powerful live performances and 5 brilliant studio albums. It's no surprise that the band came to the attention of Paul Weller and The Specials who both personally invited the band along for support slots.The four-piece from Watford carved out a niche for themselves, blending elements of punk, ska, and rock to create their unique sound.A Young Mod with a Passion for MusicBilly Sullivan's journey in music began at a really young age. Growing up in a music-loving household, he was introduced to the sounds of The Beatles, The Who, Small Faces, and, of course, Paul Weller and The Jam. The band, and particularly the songwriting of Paul Weller, left an indelible mark on Billy's musical sensibilities.It was the band's music that first sparked Billy's interest in playing the guitar. Paul's sharp lyrics and distinctive guitar work resonated with him deeply, and he set out to learn how to play those iconic riffs.Supporting on Live Dates: The Spitfires and Paul WellerOne of the most remarkable chapters in Billy Sullivan's music career came when The Spitfires were invited to support Paul Weller on tour. The invitation to share the stage with a musical hero was a testament to The Spitfires' rising profile and their authentic sound, image and outlook.Billy has spoken fondly of Paul Weller's influence on his songwriting, citing his ability to craft insightful, socially conscious lyrics as a driving force behind his own work.Billy called time on The Spitfires in December 2021, going on to release an outstanding solo debut album Paper Dreams in March 2023. Recorded over just three days in Coastal Sound recording studios in Liverpool, the album was produced by one-time Weller collaborator Simon Dine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by the award-winning stand-up comedian, broadcaster and podcaster, Ian Stone. A huge fan of The Jam and Paul Weller since discovering the band in 1977 via John Peel's late night show on Radio One, Ian published his first book in 2020 – To Be Someone – a memoir about one teenager's obsession with The Jam…Paul Weller commented “I really liked this book. I'd forgotten how shit it was in the seventies”…We dive into his memory band from hearing that first single to attending live concerts and soundchecks and that specia the connection with the music, the lyrics and the look of the band...In May 1977, The Jam made their mark on the music scene with the release of their debut single, In The City. However, in the midst of this musical revolution, Britain was grappling with widespread discontent, and young Ian Stone's household was no exception. A fourteen-year-old navigating the challenges of school, witnessing Arsenal's dismal football performances, and enduring his parents' crumbling marriage, Ian's life seemed far from idyllic. Beyond his personal struggles, the nation was grappling with its own demons - racial tensions, violence, inner-city riots, police scandals, rising unemployment, and the looming threat of terrorism.But in 1978, one fateful evening would change Ian's life forever. The Jam took the stage at London's Music Machine, igniting an electrifying atmosphere with their iconic sound. As they launched into ninety minutes of unforgettable pop tunes, Ian's world was transformed. The sheer exhilaration of that moment eclipsed anything he had ever experienced.To Be Someone is a vivid account of the five years Ian spent captivated by his obsession with The Jam. He took on weekend jobs to fund his gig attendance, embarked on daring escapades like sneaking onto the roof of the Hammersmith Odeon, and narrowly escaped eviction from a Brighton hotel, only to be saved by none other than Paul Weller himself, who invited Ian and his friends back into the bar.Above all, the book serves as a heartfelt tribute to the band that guided Ian, and countless others, through the tumultuous landscape of Britain in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When Paul Weller eventually announced The Jam's breakup, Ian was left devastated. Yet, for him and the legions who embarked on that transformative five-year journey, their enduring love for the band remains unwavering.To Be Someone captures not only the spirit of a generation but also the indelible impact of The Jam's music on the lives of its ardent fans during a pivotal era in British history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the realm of music enthusiasts and vinyl collectors, few names command as much respect and admiration as Keb Darge. The legendary out-spoken Scotsman has left an indelible mark on the world of music with has an uncanny ability to unearth rare and forgotten musical treasures.Over the past 40-plus years, he has been heavily involved in the northern soul, deep funk, rockabilly, and sixties garage scenes. On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we hear the true story about his journey in music - from dance competitions (driven by the prize money on offer!) to a fascination with obscure music genres that lead to him exploring the depths of record distribution warehouses all over the world.As soon as he had enough money together he started collecting and buying Northern Soul in the UK, during regular trips to the US and was starting to play around the Wigan area at the heyday of The Casino. By 1981 he had gained a respectful reputation as a DJ.His legendary nights at London's 'Madame Jojo's' and 'The Blue Note' showcased his knack for introducing audiences to tracks that had been relegated to obscurity. His unique selections rejuvenated dance floors and gave new life to forgotten sounds.This fella had control of Madame Jo Jo's every Friday for 18 years, and every Saturday for 10 years - playing incredible music that you would normally only hear at the most serious scene events.Keb's uncanny ability to spot musical gold amidst stacks of vinyl propelled him to become a renowned DJ and collector.As you'll hear on this podcast, Keb met Paul Weller whilst DJing at a one of a birthday party for Nicky Weller.The two got along well, and Keb started sourcing rare records for Paul, leading to them DJ'ing together at nights in London and Europe. As he always does with DJs, Keb kept a close eye on what Paul was pulling out of his record box. “Not a duff tune in sight, with records ranging from classic floor fillers to the super obscure. He was not tainted by any collectors' scene attitude, just played the tunes he liked...”The pair ended up collaborating on a compilation release in 2010 called Lost & Found - Real R'n'B and Soul.and remain friends to this day... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the dynamic world of music, a few trailblazers stand out, reshaping the industry with their audacious ideas and unshakeable passion. Andy Macdonald - the maverick behind the Go Discs and Independiente record labels - is undeniably one such luminary. With a knack for spotting raw talent and an unwavering commitment to artistic authenticity, Andy is one of the most successful UK independent music entrepreneurs of the modern era.In this World Exclusive Podcast conversation, we discover how his early interactions with the music industry at Stiff Records exposed him to the inner workings of record labels and the art of artist development. We learn how his journey in the business was kick-started through a strong passion for discovering and nurturing talent and a conversation that lit the fuse...And for the first time, Andy shares his experiences with Paul Weller. From signing him to Go Discs in 1992 and the release of their first single together "Uh Huh Oh Yeh!".This was the song that open up my world to Weller and what a journey it was in the 90s!.That debut solo album (via a Japanese record label) to Wild Wood and then the huge success of Stanley Road.We'll hear how they continued to work together through Heavy Soul and Heliocentric, despite the Polygram takeover of the label, and then onto a new venture - Independiente with the album's Days of Speed and Illumination.Founded in 1983, Go Discs quickly established itself as a breeding ground for innovative and groundbreaking artists. Andy's vision was simple yet profound: to provide a platform for artists to express their creativity without compromising their artistic integrity. This ethos resonated deeply with musicians and listeners alike, setting Go Discs Records apart from its contemporaries.Key signings included Billy Bragg, The Housemartins, The LAs, Madness, Beautiful South and of course, Paul Weller. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I chat with Bob Manton and 'Just Jeff' Shadbolt from Purple Hearts. Formed in 1978, they were a mod-influenced band that blended elements of post-punk, new wave, and mod revival, creating a distinct and energetic sound that resonated with a wide audience beyond the confines of the mod scene.We talk about their discovery of The Jam as punk loving teenagers in Essex, to the creation of their first band The Sockets and an original punk rock opera inspired by a NME cartoon strip that poked fun of Paul, Bruce and Rick...That band turned into Purple Hearts and a more mod-influenced sound, which, thanks largely to The Jam, was beginning to capture public attention.The band even went on to support The Jam in 1981 - and Paul Weller even produced and played on a couple of songs for what would have been their second album...As you'll hear on the podcast, whilst they were often associated with the mod scene, Purple Hearts transcended categorization, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of their audience that continues to beat strong over four decades later. Their unique blend of music and passion for mod culture set them apart, making them not just a mod band, but a band that truly loved and embodied the mod spirit.For the latest news on the band - head to their Facebook group here...The BandBob's distinct vocals and Jeff's skilled bass-guitar work formed the foundation of the band's sound with guitarist, Simon Stebbing and Gary Sparks on drums. Their partnership went beyond just musical collaboration – it was a meeting of minds that allowed Purple Hearts to craft songs that resonated deeply with their audience.The FansPurple Hearts' connection with their audience wasn't just ephemeral; it was deeply personal and lasting. The band's lyrics spoke to the realities of everyday life, love, and the struggles of youth, resonating with fans across generations. Their relatable songs weren't confined to a specific time or place, giving them a timeless appeal that continues to draw listeners in. This connection wasn't solely about the music; it was about sharing experiences and emotions that have universal relevance.The Weller ConnectionPurple Hearts signed to Chris Parry's Fiction Records label in 1979.You may remember Chris from Episode 76 as the man who signed The Jam to Polydor!.When that deal came to an end, Paul Weller produced a couple of demos for the band - also playing and providing backing vocals on Plane Crash and Concrete Mixer.In February 1981, Purple Hearts supported The Jam on tour dates at Sheerwater Youth Club Woking, Norwich University, Nottingham University and Crawley Leisure Centre. Bob and Jeff also mentioned Brighton, although I haven't managed to find a live date in 1981 for that in the archives.... do let me know people!Photo on the cover - Martyn Goddard (Podcast Guest 41) also took the shot for the cover of their single "My Life's a Jigsaw" on Safari Records.In 2021, Bob and Jeff created PH2 (Internationally known as Purple Hearts 2) and released a couple of new singles - Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Steve Cradock - 1974 / You Can't Tell Me Lies and Urban Soul / Livin' in the 70's.In a further link with The Jam , you can see Purple Hearts on the road in 2023 and 2024 supporting Bruce Foxton and Russell Hasting's From The Jam... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part of the music industry for nearly 50 years, Kevin Metcalfe takes a break from enjoying his recent retirement to join me on this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast.Kevin is an industry legend. A sound mastering engineer with an impressive repertoire of all kinds of artists and all types of musical styles under his belt. This fella has played a key role on hundreds, if not thousands, of singles and album releases over the years including David Bowie, Adele, U2, Queen, ELO, Depeche Mode, Pulp, Simply Red, The Who, Brian Eno, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mark Stewart, Adrian Sherwood and more…This is one of those episodes where we hear the connections to Paul Weller ( he mastered Illumination, Studio 150, As Is Now and Catch-Flame) but also plenty of tales from a career that started in 1973, as a 20 year old cutting discs with cassettes and 8-track at RCA…He soon moved to Delane Lea / CTS Studios at Wembley ( or The Music Centre as it came to be known) - where they scored the Bond movies and the world's great reggae artists who'd pop in straight off the plane from Jamaica.It was at Utopia Studios from 1979 to 1983 that he really built his reputation as a sound and engineering mastering expert. Kevin worked with Roxy Music, Duran Duran, Ultravox and Japan. As the punk scene took off, Kevin worked with The Clash, Siouxsie Soux and more…Kevin got asked to join Virgin Records in 1982 (which later became part of EMI) and ended up staying for 15 years. He then went on to create his own company Soundmasters UK in 1997, which led to the work with Paul Weller, along with Adele, Damon Albarn, Can, Gary Clail (another personal favourite), Orbital, African Headcharge…We also have a few other PW connections with former podcast guests - Nick Heyward, Kathryn Williams and The Zombies!. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by songwriter, musician Chris Free. He was one half of the duo A Craze who were signed to Paul Weller's Respond record label in the early 1980s.We chat about his love of punk including The Jam and The Clash and his first band The Users, to meeting Lucy Barron, forming A Craze and getting signed to the project.The band played on the Respond package tours, on line ups featuring Tracie Young, The Questions and Vaughan Toulouse. They were also on the bill for the BBC broadcast gig featuring The Style Council at the Paris Theatre in London.A Craze released one single, the Paul Weller produced Wearing Your Jumper and featured on the Respond sampler LP, Love the Reason with their song Keeping the Boys Amused.Chris and Lucy also wrote Give It Some Emotion which got to 24 in the UK charts and You Must Be Kidding which was the b-side to Soul's On Fire... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the podcast, we take a journey from The Jam to Paul Weller Solo via two super-fans... and a wonderful love story...David Rowe, and his partner, Jo White, have been to around 450 live shows and have some incredible stories and connections over the past 45 years... including joining the merchandise team for The Style Council and Paul Weller Solo!.David met Jo at school in St.Austell (double history) when she moved to Cornwall from Bounds Green, North London in 1978. They got the same bus to and from school (Jo to Pentewan, and David to Mevagissey). As you'll hear on the podcast, Jo introduced David to The Jam and they formed a great friendship through the music and live performances.Jo moved back to London in March 1984 when she started her nursing career in Paediatric Intensive Care. In April 1984, David started working as a Postman in St.Austell but left when he didn't have enough annual leave to do the 2nd Style Council tour in October 1984!.David moved to London in 1985 and inspired by messages & campaigning from Paul Weller... he worked for The BUAV (The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) , Greenpeace UK and then Amnesty International, where he worked for 26 years....In 1985, David and Jo started doing ad-hoc merchandising work for Brian Hawkins, who had done The Jam's merchandise before doing The Style Council.It started off just selling programmes after gigs and gradually they helped to set up and travelled with Brian, culminating in working on the early Paul Weller solo tours and the U.S. gigs in December 1991 and all Weller solo UK tours until the end of 1992 when Brian sadly lost the contract.Their only stipulation on doing the merch was that they clocked off at show time and came back out to sell after the encore!.David says "We've attended about 450 Shows (The Jam, The Style Council & Weller solo). Jo did a few more Jam shows than me. We did every Style Council UK tour date ( we both missed the Manchester Apollo gig on 12 October 1984 after the Wembley rail crash and I missed two more whilst doing The Communards ‘Red' tour in 1987)." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by another hugely talented individual in the world of music - Engineer, producer, mixer and editor, Fiona Cruickshank.One of the few people to feature on our series, who is involved in more music releases each year than Mr Weller ! She has been working in studios for over a decade now and is more in demand than ever - even getting a well deserved double win at the 2022 Music Producer Guild Awards for Recording Engineer of the Year and Breakthrough Producer of the Year.Her portfolio shows a breadth of creative approaches transcending film, music, and performance arts.Check out some of her incredible CV below... including Paul Weller's 2020 and 2021 album releases - On Sunset and Fat Pop (Volume 1).PaulWellerFanPodcast.com/episode-155-fiona-cruickshank Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, recorded at the Here Comes The Weekend event in Woking, I chat to another huge talent to join this incredible musical journey. Steve Nichol.He's a Multi-instrumentalist, Producer, Songwriter… who just happens to one of the founders of influential eighties Brit Soul flag bearers Loose Ends…It was a joy to hear his memories of a year spent with on keys and trumpet with The Jam…Live performances across the UK, Europe, US and Japan…Top of The Pops… and music promo videos…And on record with multiple tracks on the band's final chart-topping album The Gift… and tracks on their final single releases…His time with the band began towards the end of 1981…The Jam had already established themselves as a pretty awesome force to be reckoned with – riding the crest of a (new) wave from the world of punk to become one of the biggest bands in Britain.Five Top 40 albums (Three of those hitting the Top Ten) and eleven Top 40 singles ( Five of those going Top Ten with a couple hitting the Number One spot!)….However, as the band evolved and sought to expand their musical boundaries, they recognized the need for a fresh infusion of talent. Enter Steve Nichol, a multi-talented musician with an undeniable flair for trumpet and keys.The Jam with a brass section… who'd have thought it?Together with Keith Thomas (who sadly passed away last year), Steve's addition to the line up brought a new dimension to their sound, blending melodic brass and keyboard contributions seamlessly with the band's energetic new wave spirit.Find out more in the shownotes to this podcast at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/episode-154-steve-nicholBuy a virtual coffee at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a real honour to be asked to MC and interview guests at the recent Here Comes The Weekend event in Woking, and the first day was a 40th anniversary celebration of The Style Council.Yes, it really has been 4 whole decades since the reveal of a new venture from a fella called Paul Weller who had been in a pretty small band called The Jam… and an absolute wizard on the keys… Mick Talbot…The band went on release an incredibly diverse mix of singles - A sides , B sides - and albums that incorporated elements of pop, soul, jazz, classical and R&B into their sound.Their music was characterized by its sophisticated and polished production, catchy melodies, and socially conscious lyrics.Throughout the day, we had a great in-conversation session with Nicky Weller, live music from The Style Councillors and even an album playback of Café Bleu!On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, you can hear a recording of a special panel of guests chatting about their experiences in the band.Founding member - Mick Talbot, along with Honorary Councillors... Singer - Jaye Ella Ruth AKA Jaye Williamson, Brass musician and arranger… the man on trumpet and flugelhorn - Stewart Prosser and Bass Player Camelle Hinds - a man so good on the bass that Weller tapped him up again in the 90s… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by David Quantick - a writer whose work spans over 4 decades now. He joined NME as a staff writer in 1983.We dig in to stories of The Jam, The Style Council and Paul Weller Solo... and David's connections to the man and his music...He also just happens to be a hugely successful comedy writer and screenwriter for some of the most outstanding TV and Radio series over the past 30 years with credits for shows such as On the Hour, The Day Today, The Thick of It, Blue Jam, Harry Hill's TV Burp, Veep (for which he won an Emmy in 2015) and Avenue 5.Find out more at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/episode-152-david-quantick Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by Scottish author, David F. Ross.David is an architect by day, and a hilarious social-media commentator, author and enabler by night. His debut novel The Last Days of Disco inspired by The Jam's 1979 classic album - Setting Sons - became an international best-seller in 2015..."The Jam were my first favourite band, and you never really forget your first love."We learn all about his discovery of The Jam in the late 1970s, and the influences and connections that remain in play to this day. The thrill of live performance being one example. David has seen Paul Weller on stage in one incarnation or another on close to thirty occasions. His very first gig was seeing the band when he was fifteen at Glasgow Apollo on 8th December 1979 - and he went on to see them live at Newcastle City Hall, Hammersmith Odeon, and even The Magnum in Irvine!....The lyrics and words that Paul used in those songs that still mean so much to David and so many others to this day. An example being "That's Entertainment" - a song that David has described as "The greatest song in the English language. Paul Weller captured much of that humdrum, everyday boredom of teenage life in Thatcher's Britain in The Jam songs of the late 70s and early 80s. It's a brilliant evocation of those times, and I can identify absolutely with every line."David's own writing owes an embryonic debt to Paul Weller, and to Setting Sons in particular. "I find that complex blend of youthful working-class hope coming apart at the seams of adult and mid-life pressures very relatable. It's a powerful canvas on which to play out dramatic ideas about people and relationships, and one I return to regularly."The Style Council... pop innovation...Paul, Mick, Dee, Steve and the music created with honorary councillors a plenty also meant so much to David in the 1980s to now. A connection formed through the great songs again but also the image, the fashion, the sophistication, their core values, and, of course, the more overtly political approach to the lyrics... the power of words once again..."...The Style Council weren't given the credit for pop innovation and chameleon diversity that the songs deserved, especially those on those first two scintillating LPs."David saw TSC on numerous occasions live including the very last night of the Glasgow Apollo, 16th June, 1985. (and in Manchester the night before - because "why not?")."Still sounding essential and indispensable...As you would expect, Paul Weller's solo years have been, and continue to be a huge influence on David - both personally and in his career as an author. Writing a fabulous blog on Paul's 2023 Hamburg gig he remarked... "In the early 90s, at the dawning of Weller's solo career, it happened again. Marriage, kids, emerging personal and professional responsibilities; all relatable touchstones beginning to work their way into his lyrics just as they became catalysts for my own altered priorities." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we celebrate 150 episodes of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, what better way to mark the occasion than an episode with elusive producer, Brendan Lynch.From working with The Style Council as an engineer towards the end of their life-cycle (Modernism/Promised Land/King Truman) to co-producing a series of outstanding solo album releases with Paul Weller. We're talking that Paul Weller debut solo album, Wild Wood, Stanley Road, Heavy Soul and Heliocentric.He has also produced for Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene, 22-20s, Carleen Anderson and more...During his time working with Paul, Brendan also gave us some epic remixes on tracks such as Kosmos, Science and Sunflower. (I've put links below so that you can have a listen).Brendan has also remixed songs for the likes of Massive Attack, Air, Young Disciples, Dr John and Oasis (Champagne Supernova which was the band's first remix!). He was also a member of Paul Weller's touring band in the Heavy Soul period performing live with the band on numerous occasions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined singer-songwriter-musician-producer-sound artist, Gwenno AKA Gwenno Saunders. She is another of those incredible talents to have entered Paul Weller's orbit - first as somebody whose music he has regularly recommended, and then as a remixer for one of his songs from On Sunset in 2020.Her creations are things of beauty - sung in Cornish and / or Welsh - hypnotic with gorgeous, enchanting melodies, a captivating blend of dreamy synth-pop and ethereal vocals that transport listeners to otherworldly realms. Her work to date is a real sonic journey that immerses audiences in a unique and introspective musical experience.It was a real delight to dive into her story-so-far, from that early love of music, being raised in a bi-lingual household by a Welsh activist mother and a Cornish poet father to the creation of a trilogy of stunning albums. The details of which you will find below. Albums that were introduced to me by (you've guessed it!) - Paul Weller...Her debut alum Y DYDD OLAF won Welsh Album of the Year Award at the 2015 National Eisteddfod and the 2015 Welsh Music Prize. It was also mentioned in Uncut Magazine (Jan 2016 Issue)..."The band come off stage buzzing, but there's no time to celebrate. After a quick change of clothes - Weller hands over a CD to listen to. (Y Dydd Olaf by Gwenno) and shouting farewell, disappears down the stairs, followed by the band."Her second album, LE KOV, was named as one of the best albums of 2018 by so many publications, including The Guardian, Uncut and Mojo. Reaching #13 on the Official Independent Albums Chart (UK), it was nominated for 'Best Sophomore Release' at the 2018 AIM Independent Music Awards and shortlisted for the 2018 Welsh Music Prize.Paul Weller featured it in his list in Uncut Magazine for the end of year round up.Her third album, TRESOR released in 2022, took things to another level again.It was also shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize, making Gwenno the first Mercury Music Prize nominated artist not to sing in English!.It rightly earned it's place on album of the year lists everywhere - NME, Mojo, Uncut Magazine etc, including once again Paul Weller…who said “ I really loved Gwenno's album - this is her best so far. She sings in Cornish and Welsh so I've no idea what the lyrics are about but the sound of the words is so beautiful and evocative." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of the podcast was recorded live in front of a 'studio' audience at The Water Rats, London...In the realm of music photography, there are certain individuals who possess a unique ability to capture the essence of a band, conveying their spirit through the lens. One such luminary is Peter Anderson, a photographer renowned for his collaboration with The Style Council.Peter attended Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London, he was staff photographer at New Musical Express in the 1980s, and worked for The Face, iD and Rolling Stone magazine.Many of the most iconic images of The Style Council - Paul and Mick - were taken by him during their formative years (some taken before we even knew that they would be The Style Council).Trough his lens, he managed to encapsulate the band's energy, camaraderie, and distinctive fashion sense, which became an integral part of their identity.Look at the sleeves for those early singles - the rear of Speak Like a Child, the tree shot on Money-Go-Round, those amazing images for the À Paris EP, that Café Bleu album cover... iconic images that have stood the test of time.He also took incredible photos of music icons such as Madonna, Iggy Pop, Marvin Gaye, Joe Strummer, Bowie, Jagger, Sade, Depeche Mode, Herbie Hancock, The Fall, Ozzy Osbourne…Oh… and THE BEST BAND IN THE F@&KING WORLD - THE JAM!Peter has a wonderful knack of being able to tell a visual story through his work. Each photograph possesses a narrative quality, inviting viewers into a world where music and aesthetics converge. His images not only showcase the band's on-stage charisma but also provide glimpses into Paul and Mick's camaraderie from day one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drumming is often the rhythmic heartbeat that propels music forward, and within the realm of influential drummers, Bev Bevan's name shines brightly. Known for his exceptional talent, he has not only left an indelible mark on the music industry but has also inspired countless drummers around the world.What an honour it is to have Bev join me on this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast as we dig into memories of The Move (One of the best and most important British groups of the late 1960s). The band are a huge favourite of Paul Weller so much so that he invited Bev to play on the Wake Up The Nation album, that was released in 2010.At the time, Paul commented on his website... "Bev Bevan plays drums on this one. Producer, Simon Dine and I are big psychedelic music fans, so it was a real buzz. I was back to being a ten year old Move fan again."Bev played drums on the two songs that open the album... Moonshine and Wake Up The Nation.Paul Weller told him that he was his second choice; his first choice would have been Keith Moon...Bev Bevan's impact on drumming and music is undeniable. His exceptional talent, innovative style, and influential presence have made him a revered figure in the music industry. Aspiring drummers continue to draw inspiration from his work, fueling their own musical journeys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast was recorded live at London's iconic The Water Rats venue.My special guest, Mod Author and DJ, Paul 'Smiler' Anderson shared stories from The Jam to now.Kicking off with how it was The Jam that ignited a lifelong passion for all things Mod. We also dig in to three of his incredible books. Kicking off with Mods: The New Religion which was published in 2013.It's a vivid, exciting snapshot of what it was really like to be with the in-crowd... so much so that it got the seal of approval from Paul Weller, leading to collaborations on other projects and a friendship between the two since...Find out more in the show-notes for this podcast at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com/episode-146-paul-smiler-anderson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we hear from Sarah Jane Morris - a singer-songwriter who has been sharing her musical talents with us for over 40 years now.An artist who straddles rock, blues, jazz and soul and is in possession of a stunning four octave vocal range that'll blow your mind.Her connections to Paul Weller date back to the mid-80s, when she was part of The Communards and they joined the Red Wedge Tour. As you'll hear 1986 was an pretty incredible year for her, with the worldwide smash-hit of Don't Leave Me This Way! as well.She released her debut album, Sarah Jane Morris in March 1989, receiving great critical acclaim and selling over 100,000 copies. The second single Me And Mrs Jones attained cult status as the BBC banned it for its lesbian implications.Sixteen solo albums later, pop stardom on the continent, and a diverse set of musical collaborations on record, film and stage, Sarah Jane continues to steer her unorthodox career to greater heights.In the early 1990s, Paul Weller handed her a tune called Leaves Around the Door which she added to her live setlist, including for a performance captured on her Blue Valentine LIVE at Ronnie Scott's album.You may well recognise the song under the name A Year Late which Paul himself recorded and released later on as the b-side to You Do Something To Me)In another lovely Weller connection, in 2021, Sarah Jane recorded a new album called Let The Music Play, with the Italian producer Papik. Both artists chose songs from the 80s and rearranged them with a jazz/bosa/soul vibe. On the album, you'll find a stunning cover of You're The Best Thing by The Style Council along with songs from artists as diverse as Prefab Sprout, Barry White, Todd Rundgren, Simply Red and Everything But The Girl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 144: Mark Cooper... Co-creator and founding producer of 'Later... with Jools Holland' and the annual Hootenanny plus Record Mirror Magazine Music Journalist and more...My podcast guest on Episode 144 has a completely unique story from music journalist in the time of The Jam to co-creator of a music TV show that has featured Paul Weller more than any other artist.Mark Cooper is another stunner of a guest, and WOW... What a storyteller!. We dive in to the early days of The Jam as punk and new wave hits the US, finding Mark as a student who starts writing about gigs stateside. He then lands a job back home for Record Mirror, reviewing albums and singles, interview bands, musicians, singers and songwriters including Paul Weller in a wonderful interview with the headline of The Jam: Whine, Women and Song in the issue published on 17 July 1982We also dig in to the incredible story of Later… with Jools Holland.Mark is the co-creator and founding producer of the show and of the annual Hootenanny, booking and shaping both for 26 years without missing a single recording. So we hear all about it's creation to it's build into a musical and TV institution.... and so many stories of appearances and collaborations from our podcast subject - Paul Weller...Mark also led the BBC's TV coverage of Glastonbury from a muddy 1997 until a locked down 20020 and executive producer over 250 BBC music documentaries including the Britannia and America strands and the year-by-year Top of the Pops histories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you will have heard many times on this podcast series so far, Paul Weller has a long tradition of supporting up and coming music artists. Welsh neo soul artist Nia Wyn is another huge talent to get his stamp of approval and it was a real joy to hear her story on this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast.Her music takes influence from Soul, RnB, Jazz, Pop and Hip-Hop to create something new, something that is uniquely hers. Trust me when I say that her incredible, unmistakable vocals will blow you away with each release and live performance....In our podcast chat, we dig into the recent past to hear about her connections with Paul Weller from a WhatsApp intro that leads to Paul picking Nia up from Woking station for a songwriting and recording session at Black Barn Studio (Paul Weller HQ) and the creation of her beautiful soulful song “Turnstyles”.Released as a single in June 2018, Paul plays bass, hammond organ and piano and sings backing vocals on the song.We also chatted about live performance and as you'll hear on the podcast, Nia opened for Paul at his concert in York in August 2018, along with supporting him on dates for the rescheduled-rescheduled On Sunset / Fat Pop tour in 2021.2022 saw her release more new music with her Magical Thinking EP and she also reached the finals of Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent competition. That Summer saw her go on to play the Somerset festival along with Latitude and she supported Paul Weller again at Lytham Festival... Not a bad year right?Nia is another artist, to be endorsed by Paul, whose songs take you on a journey.A raw and powerful style of storytelling that at times can be observational - stories about others, in the third person or more often it would seem that she is singing something deeply personal, open, honest and introspective. Not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve to tackle topics that may appear to be taboo (her own mental health challenges as example) in an age where those areas of discussion really shouldn't be.She has an incredible knack of making you think with her music whilst also having that all important gift of melody. Every release so far has been pretty special and builds on what has come before and I'm genuinely excited by what is to come in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm delighted to be joined on the Paul Weller Fan Podcast by author, editor and music journalist, Paul Du Noyer… His interviewees have ranged from Madonna to Pavarotti, David Bowie to Mick Jagger and nearly everyone with a strong connection to The Beatles, not least Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.And of course interviews with Paul Weller!. Interviews during The Jam, The Style Council and Solo periods in publications such as NME, The Hit, Mojo and The Word Magazine.You can find links to some of those interviews below...Paul Du Noyer's career began on the NME, he was on the launch teams of magazines - Q, MOJO, heat and The Word. He edited Q and was the founding editor of MOJO. For the latter he was named Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we dive in to the memories of Pete Mason.Pete spent 17 years working for both major and independent record labels in the UK including Polydor, Phonogram, Chrysalis, Go! Discs and Independiente, which saw him involved with album & single releases from many of the UK's finest artists including The La's, Billy Bragg, Portishead, The Beautiful South, Travis, and two of his all-time music heroes John Martyn and Paul Weller.While at Independiente Paul Weller invited Pete to work as Executive Producer on his live solo acoustic album Days Of Speed. The acoustic, double live album featured songs from across Paul's career including The Jam classics; That's Entertainment and Town Called Malice, The Style Council's Headstart For Happiness and Down In The Seine and solo hits such as You Do Something To Me and Wild Wood.The album was released in 2001 and reached no.3 in the UK album charts which earned him a platinum disc for his efforts.Pete also brought the legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist, John Martyn, to the Go! Discs label and then later to the Independiente label where he worked with John on four albums in an artist liaison role.In 2004 Pete left the UK and moved to Wisconsin, USA, and set up Solid Air Music which includes a project recording studio where he has spent time composing his musical ideas and working with local artists, helping them to record and produce their music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the podcast, we hear from filmmaker, Steve Barron.This fella was behind the music promo videos for The Jam's Strange Town, When You're Young, Going Underground and Dreams of Children... This was all pre-MTV... in a world where Top of the Pops wanted as-live performances rather than music videos.He also happened to create some of the most-watched music videos of all time, we're talking "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits and "Take On Me" by A-ha as examples.These films defined the medium during the early days of MTV and are still considered among the best of all time.The videos for "Take On Me" and "Billie Jean" have each garnered over 1 billion views on YouTube.Steve has also directed several films, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), Coneheads (1993), The Adventures of Pinocchio (1996) and Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the podcast, we celebrate the release of Paul Weller's new book Magic – A Journal Of Song through a conversation with its curator - journalist and author, Dylan Jones.Dylan was my guest back on Episode 58 of the podcast, prior to this book being revealed and so I really wanted to check in, with my copy in hand to dig in to the 'making of' this incredible publication.The hardback edition is officially available in bookstores from today (April 4th 2023), with the special limited editions shipping from May 2023.The book takes us on a journey from In the City to Fat Pop, through unforgettable songwriting that has meant so much to so many. From The Jam in his teenage years, to creating The Style Council, through to his years as a solo musician. Magic combines a selection of over 100 lyrics from across Paul Weller's musical life, proving him to be the ultimate shapeshifter: from The Jam's punk sensibilities to the genre-defying Style Council, through to a remarkable 30-year solo career. His third Genesis edition, Magic is narrated by Weller and illustrated with more than 450 photographs and pieces of ephemera throughout. A revealing commentary garnered over a series of conversations with journalist and author Dylan Jones covers the songs, the stories and inspirations behind them, and all of the 28 albums of Weller's ever-evolving musical journey.You can watch a video with Paul and Dylan and order the book at WellerBook.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we hear from Barry Cain - another key player in this incredible story arc as from the tail-end of the seventies to the beginning of the nineties, Barry was a music journalist, publisher, and PR man.He joined Record Mirror at the end of 1976 - the start of the punk explosion - and was perfectly placed to take part in, and report on, the scene. Barry was viewed as an 'insider' by the bands of the time and his access was unrivalled. So much so that if you flip to the back sleeve of The Modern World album by The Jam, you'll see a credit to Barry... (Special thanks to Mr B. Cain (Teenage Blue).On this podcast chat, we hear about his first The Jam gig at the Hope and Anchor to the band's first nationwide tour, travels across Europe including a visit to Dachau Concentration Camp, magazine reviews for gigs, singles and albums, and of course, interviews galore - including the band's final one.We also hear how in 1980, together with writer Tim Lott, he launched Flexipop! magazine. A publication which featured a flexi disc on the cover of each issue exclusively recorded by artists like The Jam, Blondie, Madness, the Cure, Adam Ant and even Genesis. Flexipop! has to be the most bizarre pop music magazine ever published... stand-out features include Paul Weller as a TV critic, revealing his nasty habits, a photo history of The Jam and even Paul Weller in bondage... Barry had such a great connection with The Jam that Paul even wrote and performed - ‘Pop-Art Poem' – just for Flexipop!. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, we dig in to stories from the solo years with Jamie Johnson.Jamie has been working as a musician, producer and sound engineer since the early 1990's. As a house engineer at Phil Manzanera's (Roxy Music) Gallery Studio, he recorded with some of the world's leading musicians and producers, before becoming freelance in 1999.He has worked on numerous No 1 albums for artists including Paul Weller, Razorlight and David Gilmour, he co-produced Robert Wyatt's Mercury nominated album ‘Cuckooland' in 2004, and recorded and mixed Paul Weller's Mercury shortlisted album ‘Wake Up The Nation' in 2010.Jamie also contributed to albums - Heavy Soul, Heliocentric, 22 Dreams, Sonik Kicks and A Kind Revolution.Outside of the world of Weller, Jamie has also recorded albums with some of Spain and South America's most successful artists including Heroes Del Silencio, Robi Draco Rosa and The Hall Effect.Jamie began teaching guitar in 2012, before starting Music Club in the summer of 2014.Find out more in the show notes to this podcast at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/episode-137-jamie-johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's celebrate the 40th anniversary of the start of The Style Council and the release of that debut single Speak Like a Child back on March 11th 1983. I really wanted to chat to someone who knows what it's like to sing and perform that band's incredible songs live on stage to adoring audiences. In the absence of Paul Weller for our podcast series (so far?), I turned to Darren Fletcher - the fella behind The Style Councillors - an incredible tribute to the mighty Style Council.Formed in 2013, the band have built a loyal fanbase for the group which was Paul Weller's musical home from 1983 to 1989 and where he wrote some of his finest pop songs. Their full band lineup replicates the very best from the back catalogue and not only do they replicate the vocal and sound of the songs but they also use the same original instruments to recreate the exact style and feel of the extensive original line up - including that swirling hammond organ and classic horn section...The Style Councillors are as close as it gets to actually being there, back in the eighties.Praised by the original members of the band for their love and dedication in order to 'do it how it was', come see probably the best tribute band in the world...You can find more info on upcoming live dates here... seetickets.com/tour/the-style-councillors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My special guest on this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast is Punk Photographer, Andy Rosen.Andy started out as a music photographer working on Record Mirror and Sounds and freelancing to NME, Melody Maker, The Face Magazine and most record companies during the burgeoning punk scene in the mid-1970s.As a friend and cohort of many who went on to become the biggest names in punk, Andy had unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the musicians and artists of London's early punk scene. Andy photographed many of The Jam's live gigs - including the final shots of the band in 1982 on that final gig in Brighton... plenty of his photos have never been shared... but more of that in our chat...Andy also photographed the image for the rear of the Setting Sons album cover - taken on Brighton beach, the rear of the sleeve for Start! and the cover of Town Called Malice.Find out more , buy Andy's prints with a special offer for podcast listeners, and find video of the chat with the reveal of those images at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/episode-135-andy-rosen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I'm joined by a huge fan of The Jam and Paul Weller... singer-songwriter Nick Heyward...Nick burst onto the scene in the early 80s with his band Haircut One Hundred and the debut album Pelican West (which has just been re-released to celebrate the 40th anniversary! ).On this episode of the podcast, Nick talks about his love of The Jam and connections with Paul Weller from sharing the stage in the US to the man who signed The Jam ( Chris Parry) to the legendary publisher, the late Brian Morrison, photographers Gered Mankowitz and Lawrence Watson to sleeve designer, Simon Halfon and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I'm joined by Franco-Algerian singer-songwriter and guitarist Souad Massi.Souad began her career fronting the Kabyle political rock band Atakor, earning her a reputation as a troublemaker in an Algeria torn apart by civil war.After fleeing to Paris following a series of death threats, she performed at the 1999 Femmes d'Algérie to great acclaim, earning her first recording contract.She has forged her reputation over the course of a career spanning more than 20 years.Driven by an unfailing determination to speak out for what she values most: freedom and justice.Her songs are steeped in love, altruism and bravery.Our Paul Weller connection comes in the 2000's - with Paul telling Uncut magazine in July 2008: "I've recently developed a bit of a thing about tango. I love that music. It's really emotional, passionate music. And in soundchecks we often mess about with tango and bolero rhythms. Again, Simon ( Dine ) had a backing track and I had a tune in my head and we started jamming on it. The melody is quite influenced by an Algerian singer called Souad Massi, who's been a huge inspiration recently."As you'll hear on the podcast, this led to the two of them creating music together at Black Barn Studio.Resulting in a beautiful song called Let Me In Peace which featured as the last track on Souad's album Ô Houria (Liberty).Find out more in the show notes for this podcast on my website at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/episode-133-souad-massiAnd if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy me a virtual coffee at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I'm joined by author, Richard Houghton - one of the people behind the book - The Jam - The Day I Was There.With a foreword written by Jam drummer Rick Buckler, this book tells the story of The Jam in the words of over 300 fans. With memories from the earliest shows at clubs and pubs around Woking and London, UK and North American tours through to their last ever gig in Brighton in December 1982. Told by the perspective of fans, promoters, studio engineers, photographers and support acts the book includes personal photographs, memorabilia, anecdotes and stories that have never been published before.Richard has previously created books the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix (all of which are compilations of fan memories of seeing these legendary artists live). He has also co-written a book about the semi legendary indie band The Wedding Present with lead singer David Gedge and worked with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark on their book, Pretending To See The Future.You can buy the book, co-written with Neil Cossar (the fella behind the award winning web site and publisher - This Day in Music) here...In 2023, Richard will be publishing books on the Faces, Slade, The Beatles, The Who and Pink Floyd... Find out more at richardmhoughton.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by keyboard wizard, singer and songwriter - Christopher Holland.His session and touring work has featured the likes of Green On Red, Squeeze, Sam Brown, Ethan Johns, and Ray Davies & Stereophonics.He is a hugely talented musician who joined the Paul Weller band for the Heliocentric Tour in 2000.Chris is also part of Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra so we'll talk studio work like the fabulous co-write I'm Gone - which Paul delivered lead vocals on, along with TV show Later and the Hootenanny and playing with Paul as part of that set up.In between working with other artists, Christopher continues with his first passion of writing, recording and producing his own music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.