PEOM - Paul Weller

PEOM PRESS RELEASE JUNE 2007

PEOM is a webzine for counter and popular culture. Driven by creativity, passion, and enthusiasm

Positive Energy of Madness proudly presents an interview with Soul Legend Sam Moore, of Sam and Dave.

PEOM - Paul Weller

Confessions of a Popstar...

This interview with Paul Weller was done in the summer of 1990 when he hadn't done an interview for 2 years and wasn't in the limelight.

“I’ve left Polydor and my publishing deal. Polydor dropped our last album, which was called “A New Decade of Modernisms”. They have always been out of date and they felt it was too housey. Maybe it was a good thing it was dropped. But I feel they don’t understand. Their dance label “Urban” is just a token gesture”

“The Style Council should have ended 2- 3years ago, it was dragged on. I don’t know whether it was laziness, maybe I fell into a routine. The fire was missing. A good band should make a record because it wants to, not because it has to. I was pleased with the last released LP “Confessions of A Pop Group” however there seems to be a little magic missing on side 2.”

“I’d like to think that I’ve changed for the better. Recently I’ve been playing on my strengths. I have realised that I am a good songwriter. There have been times in the past, when I didn’t like my voice. Recently I’ve felt very proud of it. I’m also proud of my guitar playing- not a formula but a natural style. I’m a musician , it’s in my blood. Growing older had made me see my faults, that is the beauty of age, you become mellow and wiser. Since my departure from Polydor, I’ve been time to breath. I’m not stuck in my compound.”

“I’m not too much in favour of drugs. I’ve lost some very good friends due to drug taking such as Dave Waller. In the old times, when I took drugs I felt like a Catholic whipping myself. I was too intense, too serious. I am more relaxed and more open minded these days. Society is to blame; the pressure placed on people leads them to take drugs as a form of escapism”

“The drug aspect is a small percentage of what is going on. On the more positive side, the rise of exciting DJ’s, new clubs, fanzines, new bands, the remixing of records. Sadly, other creative projects such as actors, playwrights, illustrators have been unable to make a mark in this scene”

Full interview: http://www.peom.co.uk/weller_interview.html

Paul Weller - I'm Only Dreaming (Steve Marriott)

Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher at Steve Marriot memorial.

Video: Paul Weller - I'm Only Dreaming (Small Faces)


Lyrics: I'm Only Dreaming

If the smile on my face
Doesn't mean much any more
Then its all been just a waste of time
So wont you close your door
But when I look into your eyes
I feel there's still something there
And something's all I need to hold on to
I can lie to myself
I still care
I still care about the way...
And the little things you say
Won't you please come out to play
I'm only dreaming
I'm only dreaming
What good does dreaming do, when you're nowhere?
I got nobody to hold on to,
But I keep on smiling, crying
See me walking down the street
Just turn your head and walk away
'Cos by now you ought to know how I feel
and there's no more
I'm only dreaming
I'm only dreaming
Oh, yeah

Paul Weller with Noonday Underground - I’ll Walk Right On

Following Noonday Underground’s collaboration with Paul Weller on the Top 10 single It’s Written in the Stars, Weller provides the vocals for the new Noonday Underground single I’ll Walk Right On released by Setanta on 16th June 2003. It is taken from the album Surface Noise.

Track Listings

1. I’ll Walk Right On
2. Go It Alone (Mujaji Remix)
3. March Of The Creepers
4. I’ll Walk Right On (Video)

Video: Paul Weller with Noonday Underground - I’ll Walk Right On


Noonday Underground - Bio

The duo of DJ Simon Dine and vocalist Daisy Martey threw their hats into the ever-growing ring of record-collector rock as Noonday Underground. After Dine's departure from Adventures in Stereo around 1997, the duo hooked up after allegedly bumping into each other at a Clapham pizza restaurant. Culling their influences from all things late '60s -- from exotic film music to West Coast pop to the production techniques of Jack Nitzche -- they quietly issued their debut LP, Self-Assembly, in 2000. Setanta reissued the record the following year. Paul Weller was an early supporter of the duo; in a poll for the NME, he rather bizarrely listed them as "Most Influential Band of All Time." ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

‘Paul Weller is one of a handful of people who I can play rough ideas to and who I know will give an honest opinion,’ says Simon. ‘He actually volunteered to be on Surface Noise without me asking him. Basically, I started working with Paul for his new album back in January of 2001. I’d play him bits and he’d say ‘maybe not for my album, but maybe I can do something on that for yours’. So that’s how ‘I’ll Walk Right On’ came about. The second track, ‘Thunder Park’, was going to be on Paul’s album but it didn’t fit in, so again we just used it for mine. More than anything he was just a great sounding board for this album. He suggested I should mix it with Stan Kybert at Noel Gallagher’s studio, which made a massive difference."

More: HERE (setantarecords.com)

Shout to the Top: The Jam and Paul Weller - Book

Synopsis:
This is the inside story of The Jam and The Style Council by the man who oversaw their careers for nearly three decades. This frank account reveals the trials and triumphs of Paul Weller's career, from The Jam's first single in 1977 to the break-up of the Style Council in 1989. This is also a unique insight into Paul Weller's solo career.

More: HERE (amazon.co.uk)

The Jam: Unseen - Book

Foreword by Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler
Photographs by Twink

Book Description:
The Jam were one of Britain's most successful and important bands. Emerging in the era of punk and new wave, they brought a sound and a look to an army of fans who still hold a devoted and unparalleled passion.
In their five-year career, between 1977 and 1982, The Jam had 18 top 40 singles, including four No.1 hits. In 1982, their last studio LP, The Gift, went to the top of the album chart and Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender were No.1 singles.
That same year, 21-year old freelance photographer Twink was commissioned by The Jam to be their official photographer, capturing them not only on stage, but also their life out of the public eye. A quarter of a century on, this volume brings together for the first time more than 200 of his outstanding photographs.

"For me and countless others," says Twink, "The Jam stand head and shoulders above any other three-piece band you care to recall, and most other bands - past, present and future ... They were the spokespeople for a generation, social commentators empathising with dole-queue despair and becoming idols to the country's disillusioned youth."

These stunning images capture The Jam's electrifying live performances as well as their quieter moments - backstage, travelling and relaxing. "When we needed a photographer to come on the road with us - someone who could `access all areas' and take candid fly-on-the-wall shots - we had no doubt that he was our man," write Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler in the foreword to this book.

Twink's pictures of The Jam have already generated huge interest online and in exhibitions. Now, through this special collection, they bring an unforgettable period back to life, and give a unique gift to fans of The Jam.

Synopsis:
The Jam were one of Britain's most successful and important bands. Emerging in the era of punk and new wave, they brought a sound and a look to an army of fans who still hold a devoted and unparalleled passion. In their five-year career, between 1977 and 1982, The Jam had 18 top 40 singles, including four No.1 hits. In 1982, their last studio LP, The Gift, went to the top of the album chart and Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender were No.1 singles. That same year, 21-year old freelance photographer Twink was commissioned by The Jam to be their official photographer, capturing them not only on stage, but also their life out of the public eye. A quarter of a century on, this volume brings together for the first time more than 200 of his outstanding photographs. "For me and countless others," says Twink, "The Jam stand head and shoulders above any other three-piece band you care to recall, and most other bands - past, present and future... They were the spokespeople for a generation, social commentators empathising with dole-queue despair and becoming idols to the country's disillusioned youth." These stunning images capture The Jam's electrifying live performances as well as their quieter moments - backstage, travelling and relaxing. "When we needed a photographer to come on the road with us - someone who could 'access all areas' and take candid fly-on-the-wall shots - we had no doubt that he was our man," write Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler in the foreword to this book. Twink's pictures of The Jam have already generated huge interest online and in exhibitions. Now, through this special collection, they bring an unforgettable period back to life, and give a unique gift to fans of The Jam.

From the Back Cover :
Through more than 200 previously unpublished photographs, The Jam: Unseen is a unique record of one of the most successful, important and enduring of British bands.

A quarter of a century after working as The Jam's official photographer, Twink has collected together his stunning, never-before-seen pictures of a band at the pinnacle of their career. This book is a must-have for all aficionados of The Jam.

"Twink's amazing photographs capture the very essence of the band."
Dennis Munday, The Jam's A&R Manager

"A brilliant photographic anthology ... The real beauty is that they reveal a much more intimate and human aspect of the band."
Drew Hipson, Editor, All Mod Icon

"A gift to Jam fans around the world, defining an era that was special for all of us."
Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, The Jam

More: HERE (amazon.co.uk)

Paul Weller Getting His Harry Potter Book Signed

Paul Weller gets his Harry Potter book signed by J K Rowling in the Green Room on Jonathan Ross 6th July 2007

Video: Paul Weller & J K Rowling

Paul Weller & Andy Lewis- Are you trying to be lonely?

New tune. Northern Soul.
"-Well, my album is finally finished so I can afford to spend a little more time indulging in blogging etc... as you may well be aware by now, the first single, "Are You Trying To Be Lonely?" features Paul Weller and will be available in September..."
More: HERE (Andy Lewis - MySpace)

Paul Weller - Acoustic European Tour

Paul Weller & Steve Cradock head out an acoustic tour in September throughout Europe.

The full list of dates:

13-Sep Ghent, Belgium Handelsbeurs
14-Sep Amsterdam, Holland Paradiso
15-Sep Groningen, Holland Stadsschouwburg
16-Sep Frankfurt,Germany Mousonturm
18-Sep Cologne, Germany Theatre am Tanzbrunnen
19-Sep Hamburg, Germany Musikhalle
20-Sep Berlin, Germany Schiller Theatre
22-Sep Seville, Spain Cordoba Festival

Paul Weller - Documentary

Video: Paul Weller - Documentary - Part 1

Video: Paul Weller - Documentary - Part 2

Video: Paul Weller - Documentary - Part 3

Video: Paul Weller - Documentary - Part 4

Video: Paul Weller - Documentary - Part 5

Video: Paul Weller - Documentary - Part 6

Paul Weller and Keane - Gibson Guitar Town

The skyline of South Bank’s More London area has been transformed for a spectacular 10-week outdoor public art display with the addition of 30 hand-painted 10-foot free-standing replica Gibson Les Paul guitars. Over 100 accredited members of the press turned up to photograph music legends Rod Stewart, Paul Weller, and Keane as they signed their own hand painted Gibson Les Paul replica beside the iconic backdrop of the River Thames, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, and City Hall. Gibson Guitartown London is the capital’s hottest free public exhibition, bringing the power of music together with art in aid of charity.

More: HERE

Video: Paul Weller and Keane - Gibson Guitar Town

Paul Weller & Graham Coxon - This Old Town

Video: Paul Weller & Graham Coxon - This Old Town - on The Friday Night With Jonathan Ross Show, Friday 6th July 2007

Paul Weller - News

02.07.2007 - Graham Coxon Collaboration!
25.06.2007 - Paul Weller plays on new DOGS album!

More: Official Paul Weller Website

Graham Coxon and Paul Weller will perform new single "This Old Town" on Friday night with Jonathan Ross, on July 6th at 10:40 pm, BBC1. (Today)

The Jam - Start

Video: The Jam - Start


The Jam - Start - Lyrics

It's not important for you to know my name
Nor I to know yours
If we communicate for two minutes only
It will be enough!
For knowing that someone in this world
Feels as desperate as me
And what you give is what you get
It doesn't matter if we never meet again
What we have said will always remain
If we get through for two minutes only
It will be a start!
For knowing that someone in this life
Loves with a passion called hate
And what you give is what you get
If I never ever see you
If I never ever see you
If I never ever see you... again
And what you give is what you get

The Style Council - The Whole Point - Live

1990 Japanese TV

Video: The Style Council - The Whole Point - Live


The Style Council - The Whole Point Of No Return - Lyrics

The lords and ladies pass a ruling
That sons and girls go hand in land
From good stock and the best breeding
Paid for by the servile class
Who have been told all lie in state
To bow down forth and face their fate
It’s so easy.
So, so easy

All righteousness did build thy arrow
To shoot it straight into their lies
Who would expect the mighty sparrow
Could rid our world of all their kind?

Rising up and taking back
The property of every man
Oh it’s easy.
So, so easy

Rising up to break this thing
From family trees the dukes do swing
Just one blow to scratch the itch
The law’s made for and by the rich
It would be easy.
So, so easy.