Which Pros songs are you most proud of?
Rewind was hard work (it took a while) but we were both very happy with the result. Hats Off just fell out of my head one evening. An angry poem about injustice in London. A city full of empty investment properties while people sleep on the street. The image in verse one is an ex-serviceman in a doorway within view of Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, a reality.
I like Going Going Gone though as a writer. It ties everything together. Bowie and Lemmy had just died. Steve Jones famously nicked Bowie's gear from Hammersmith Odeon. I worked at the Odeon when I was 16. While there, someone stole Motörhead's Bomber lighting rig. Going going gone; theft and the passing of idols.
Here's a few favourites of mine, Good Man Down, Rewind, Fade Away and M'ashes...
Good Man Down. Paul Myers was going on about Viagra so we wrote a song about it. An anthem about rising to the occasion.
Rewind. In case you hadn't noticed, I like to write about age relevant problems. Memory loss being one of them. Then with song craft you make it ambiguous, "won't you come back to me" sounds like a lost lover but really it's what you walked into a room to do, or what day of the week it is!
Fade Away is the exact opposite of Rewind. Sounds like a poor me getting old song. It's about the memory of an ex that hurt you fading. Also enjoying the fact their life turned to shit. Nasty but she deserved it.
M'ashes I'm proud of lyrically. So, Cookie returned from LA, said he'd taken Steve Jones' mum's ashes back to him. I thought it was a massive gesture of deep friendship but also of the sadness of a mother/son relationship. I actually thought the effort I put into the lyric might make Steve respect me - apparently not.
Looking back, how do you view the nine years of the Profs Mk2 in terms of your own musical career?
It came at a great time. It was a joy. It faded towards the end. Maybe too many line up changes? Me and Cookie stayed strong though.
If you had to pick, what was the one highlight?
One highlight!!! Impossible, sorry. Ok, here's one. Me and Cookie in New York doing interviews. We get given Classic Rock with first What In The World reviews. The headline was 'Never mind Steve Jones this is the bollocks'.
Favourite live show memories? For me, I suppose it was the very first gig in Bristol.
I really enjoyed supporting. Playing to bigger audiences with SLF, the Ruts and Rezillos etc. I enjoyed proving we were good to new people.
Biggest achievements with the Profs?
I guess getting album of the year from Vive Le Rock. Didn't expect it. I have the trophy on my shelf. Also managing to make SNAFU through lockdown!!
Any regrets or disappointments?
I didn't like it ending but it was time for a break.
Paul Myers leaving for health reasons was hard. He was so much part of the vibe. Lockdown fucked up our US tour. Otherwise, I can only think of positives.
Would you like to reconvene with Paul Cook at some point?
I see Paul lots. Of course he's busy doing the Carter Pistol thing. He's rejoined his actual status as rock 'n' roll god. I have pangs of jealousy when I see their tour dates - then I realise I was lucky to have been involved in that world and with him. I am the real thing though. It's my life. I just swim in a smaller pond.
What's next for Tom Spencer?
After rebuilding my life domestically, I'm now ready to create. I thought about solo stuff but the truth is I want to be part of a band, a family. So I will get writing and then I will gather the right nutters to get out there and do my thing.
A last quick comment to you, Phil. Thank you for being there throughout my Prof journey. Always supportive, encouraging and positive.
