Paul Roland Reflects on Fifty Years of Being Ahead of the Curve

ange much apart from Neil x.P93N xx Nancy ’s brilliant Lou Reed styled guitar solo. I’m sure on discovering what the songs were about they all thought I was a bit nuts… but no one cared because that’s what rock and roll’s all about – or used to be!

John’s Children released one full album and a handful of singles and were banned from TV for inciting riots by destroying tv sets onscreen. How influential were they on what followed in the music business and did Bolan’s former band become bigger than his later band?

John’s Children were only around for a couple of years between 1966-68 but they had a huge impact on the UK punk scene, with at least 3 of their singles being re-recorded by punk bands in the late 70s and they were name-checked constantly on punk albums. They pre-dated glam rock, psychedelia, modern punk and Goth and as such they were the forefathers of punky goth in the UK.

Their influence was certainly bigger than their sales and that’s why BBC2 devoted an entire documentary to their “forgotten story” a few years ago.

Boz characterized the John’s Children reunion project as an amalgam of Garage, Rockabilly, and Psychobilly styles. Did those elements come from each of you, or do you feel there was a dominant hand guiding the sound?

I had no idea it would turn out as it did but, I provided the songs, the studio and the backing band. Andy had written the chorus and Boz suggested the change in arrangement towards garage rock/ psychobilly. I was hoping it would be more like the early Dolls meets the Cramps, but when I heard Boz and Andy’s versions of the songs I immediately expressed my enthusiasm. It was also recorded pretty much live so that it had the feel of a small rusty van going off a cliff.

Morrissey’s latest output has had the approval of critics and garnered some headlines but I Was A Teenage Zombie sounds like a much more fun diversion. Would that be a fair assessment?

Absolutely. Andy says my lyrics are about “murder, murder, and more murder and mine says “they’re a saga of blood feuds, curses, shape-shifters and witches. Most critics say “There are few artists as consistently engaging as Roland” and The Times of London described him as having “the master touch” with regards to melody and song construction. If you listen to The Smiths “Asleep” or Boz and Morrissey’s “First of the Gang to Die”, you might see a resemblance to my own songs – that might explain why I am seen as a musical soulmate for Boz and Morrissey.

Andy says you’ve recovered from your “writing block on the Mummy album.” Has writing ever been difficult for you? Was the anticipation for this collaboration a factor?

I’m always writing – that’s never a problem but I tend to get writer’s block worrying about what people think. For years I would always ask another musician to play my demos to test the water, but not now. Not since Andy finally said yes to recording together. Then I grabbed the chance with both hands. Since then I’ve had two other offers from big names to write for but I’ve only accepted one and it’s under wraps for now. I think I’ll keep their lips and mine sealed on this one as it seems to be a winning formula.

What effect has that expansive lineup and theme had on the sound of the new record?

Boz brought a more raw sound to my songs. The punkabilly sound is very infectious and I can see that being a good fit with some of my new material so I fully intend to extend that element, and I think with Boz’s sense of theatre we could go as far as to push rock theater to its limits, especially if we bring in some girls!

Tracing the influence your music has had on other musicians, you’ve taken inspiration from the Velvet Underground with a little melodrama from Bowie and the New York Dolls. What has prevented your music becoming tired or overly familiar?

That’s a good question. For years I felt trapped by being able to sing in just one genre but then I found the perfect outlet with my Italian band and producer. Also, I don’t limit my scope of subjects – I write about taxidermists, Victorian mesmerists, unethical neurologists, dog-faced boys, etc. I won’t be accused of peddling homilies. But, most importantly, it’s the freshest of the other musicians around me, such as Andy Ellison and Boz Boorer that make me excited about writing again. They have a shared passion that has been lacking before now.