Music / Interviews
‘I have no idea what a rock and roll lifestyle is’
How does a rock star celebrate his birthday? For Idles frontman Joe Talbot, it was an understated affair earlier this month: doing the laundry, the washing up and the hoovering, before seeing his best friend’s daughter for the first time and then going out for a meal in Bristol with his fiancée.
Is this what a rock and roll lifestyle in 2018 is all about then? “I have no idea what a rock and roll lifestyle is, my friend,” Talbot tells Bristol24/7 down the phone. “That is a dated concept that should die with the patriarchy.”
From playing their first ever gig at the Golden Lion on Gloucester Road in front of a handful of friends to being handpicked by the Foo Fighters to support them at a huge one-off gig at the O2 Arena in London, it’s been quite a ride for Idles over the last few years.
is needed now More than ever
They have a busy time ahead, with second album Joy As an Act of Resistance released worldwide on August 31 accompanied by curating an art exhibition at the HM Electric Gallery in Hoxton, a UK-wide tour of record shops including two shows in Bristol’s Rough Trade, followed by a US, Japan, UK and European tour taking them almost up until Christmas.
The band even managed to help brew a beer at Wiper & True in St Werburgh’s named after the new album, with food and drink occupying a big proportion of the life of a band whose original Facebook page said that they were fans of French fancies.
So, the important questions first then: where can you get the best French fancies and other assorted sweet treats in their home city? Talbot says that his favourite thing to eat in Bristol used to be the pastel de nata at Katie and Kim’s Kitchen on Picton Street in Montpelier, but with that cafe now sadly closed his pick is Bakers & Co on Gloucester Road.
“It’s got a wonderful ethic towards food, which is homely yet interesting. It’s healthy, it’s an open kitchen which I always trust. The staff and food are great, and their coffee is perfect, they’ve got the best coffee in Bristol.”
Of course, Bristol isn’t just great for assorted pastries if you’re in a punk band. “Bristol’s got a really good attitude towards things that aren’t necessarily fashionable, you know,” Talbot continues. “New bands that are just doing their own thing are celebrated…
“We had a city that allowed us to make as many mistakes as we wanted. I think if we were in London or somewhere else, it would have been a lot more unforgiving. I think people in Bristol are a bit more interested in stuff that isn’t necessarily perfect, you know. Rough around the edges.”
Idles play two in-store giggs at Rough Trade on August 31, and return to play SWX on October 16 – photo by Ania Shrimpton
Despite often categorised as being one, Talbot is keen to point out that Idles are not a political band: “I want to reconnect people with being mindful of their surroundings and who they vote for, but do it in a way that’s not fucking boring. I want to write amazing songs, I want to write songs you can dance to, but also I want to be able to sleep at night and write about things that I care about.
“So, for me, local politics is vital, but it’s personal politics that count. You need to live life honestly, and that means being true to your word and actually learning about why you’re voting for certain people, not based on what they fucking look like, but based on their policies and how that affects your country. And if you do that, then you’ll be voting locally as well.”
From the Golden Lion to Japan, Idles are a band on the move, with Talbot saying that once he has celebrated his birthday he can’t wait for the busy touring schedule to start.
“It’s a dream come true,” he says. “It’s what we’ve been working for for so long. Being able to do this full time, to experience the world as a band and just spread our music as far as fucking possible before everyone gets bored of it.”
Joy As an Act of Resistance is released via Partisan Records on August 31
Main photo by Lindsay Melbourne
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