Blockheads interview
It's thirty years since Ian Dury and the Blockheads' Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick reached No1 - and it's nine years since Dury died. But the Blockheads are still rolling, with new album Staring Down The Barrell yielding positive reviews (Mojo said "Dury would be proud", the Telegraph called it "unexpectedly engaging").
Check out the single Greed on YouTube, with guest appearances from Martin Freeman (The Office), Toby Jones (Frost/Nixon) and comedian Rowland Rivron.
Rock Radio caught up with the band's Johnny Turnbull during their UK tour which takes in Stevenage (Craig Theatre, 24/04), Southampton (Brook, 25/04), Sheffield (Boardwalk, 26/04), London (Electric Ballroom, 30/04), Cardiff (Globe, 01/05) and Southend (Palace Theatre, 02/05).
Asides from Ian Dury's absence, what else has changed?
Johnny: Time flies... Thirty years ago we were sat outside the Rialto in Kilburn after soundcheck, listening to the radio telling us we were No1. Now, on this tour, we mix old and new to make a show everyone can get high on. We like that vibe, bridging the generation gap. Doing a gig is still the high point of our day.
How difficult has it been to re-establish the band's identity without Ian?
Johnny: We didn't want to let the songs die, so despite the sheer terror we did Dingwalls. Phill Jupitus was the DJ that night. He said, "I know the words to all the songs". We said, "You're on Clever Trevor then." He's duetted many times since. Now Derek the Draw is singing, I can relax and play my guitar. He does a fantastic job of delivering the songs in a Duryesque way without becoming a parody.
What have been the high points in the band's recent history?
Johnny: Seeing the list of people who wanted to sing our Ian tribute album (Brand New Boots and Panties) - McCartney, Robbie, Cerys Matthews, Madness, Billy Bragg etc. Playing live and seeing folk relive the good old days is a high too.
Tell us more about Staring Down the Barrell.
Johnny: I've been writing many songs since Ian passed - he was an inspiration to me. I'm nearly finished my solo album Quantum Frolics but none of my songs seemed to fit the bill for the Blockheads. So it's a special outing with Derek and Chaz doing what they do best. A mix of splendid rock funk with quite outstanding controversial analysis of the world. Hold Tight is my favourite song at the moment. And the end of Life in Your Hands does it for me.
Do you regard the band as primarily live or studio?
Johnny: Live is great but we did the soundtrack for the film with Andy Serkis playing Ian, and it was amazing. So the answer is both.
What's left to achieve with the Blockheads?
Johnny: Blockheads in Europe - we had a hard time getting an agent, but now we've just played in France. Belgium is next in June. We want our 15 minutes of fame all over again. Regrets, I have a few - but then again... Love is best and I love being in the Blockheads.
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