Phillips, Anya. “A Conversation with Paul Simonon of The Clash.” Punk Fanzine, no. 11, 1977, 1 page
A Conversation with Paul Simonon of The Clash
— Interview with Paul Simonon. He explains the origins of “Bored of the USA” as a critique of American TV shows like Kojak and Columbo dominating British screens. Speaks about his daily life, motorcycle rides on his Suzuki 250, designing posters and clothes, and the band’s rehearsal routine. The plans for a new album to be recorded over Christmas, with “Complete Control” as a possible lead single.
PUNK FANZINE | #11 1977 | Cover & Page 25
PUNK FANZINE 100 ONLY NUMBER 11
CLASH
DICTATORS
Image: HOLMSTROM '77
A conversation with Paul Simonon of The Clash
By Anya Phillips
Anya Phillips: Why did you write the song "Bored of the USA"?
Paul Simonon: The song's just mainly about—in Britain we get a lot of American programs on TV...
Anya Phillips: Which programs?
Paul Simonon: Kojak, Colombo, you name it, we got it, and like we can't relate to it. It means nothing to us really. It's just sort of numbing—numbs your brain.
Anya Phillips: So you're actually bored of the US TV shows then and not bored of the United States in general?
Paul Simonon: Well, another thing, for example: a lot of English groups—their lead singers—the way they look, you even get English singers who put on an American accent when they sing, especially in the sixties.
Anya Phillips: When I was a little girl I was really surprised to find out most of the bands I liked and assumed were American were really English. I'd see them on talk shows and wonder what was wrong with their voices.
Paul Simonon: It's like putting over this American accent and singing, not being what they really are, which is English or whatever.
Anya Phillips: So what do you think of the USA?
Paul Simonon: Don't know, ain't been there yet. Looks alright. At least they have things going on until late. Over here everything finishes up around twelve, then everybody's supposed to go to bed like good people, get up early and go to work. That's what people want you to do.
Anya Phillips: What do you do in an average day?
Paul Simonon: I wake up around nine and get any errands or anything I've got to get together during most part of the early day until around dinner time.
Anya Phillips: What sort of errands?
Paul Simonon: Maybe something like getting me bike fixed.
Anya Phillips: You have a motorcycle?
Paul Simonon: Yeah, a Suzuki 250 Trail Bike. Sort of a racing bike and I go out to the studio, work out designs for clothes or anything really, or else I go and see the manager and like talk about the poster we might use or help design it, maybe we have an interview or photo session.
Anya Phillips: And you rehearse every day?
Paul Simonon: Yes, usually about 4:00 and finish up about 6:00. We can go on longer, but if you rehearse too much the songs lose their freshness.
Anya Phillips: After you rehearse do you go out at night?
Paul Simonon: Sometimes yeah, or else just stay in 'cause there ain't much to do around here anyway.
Anya Phillips: What do you do when you stay in?
Paul Simonon: Nothing. Well, I practice. I don't know what the others do. Well they... God knows what they do.
Anya Phillips: You rehearse and practice a lot?
Paul Simonon: Oh yeah. It's the only thing to do really.
Anya Phillips: When is your next album slated to come out?
Paul Simonon: Probably about after Christmas. We'll be recording it around Christmas time to give us something to do over Christmas and we should have a single out in about two months' time. The "A" side could possibly be "Complete Control".
Anya Phillips: What's on the B side?
Paul Simonon: We haven't decided yet. At the moment we're just rehearsing so that next time we play Britain—whenever they let us play—we'll have a whole new set.
All photos by Anya Phillips
PUNK FANZINE | #11 1977