Philip Wilding Interview

Phil Wilding is a freelance writer and producer of radio and TV. With the comedian and broadcaster Phill Juptius, he launched BBC 6 Music Network. He regularly writes for Classic Rock. Visit www.eoncorp.com.

 

What was your first published article?

A review of the movie, The Lost Boys in the now defunct Sounds music paper, strangely, I didn’t really come back to film journalism again until last year.

 

Did you always want to write about rock music?

I always wanted to write, I happened to be a music fan too, my first novel’s called Cross Country Murder Song, so my love of music’s even reflected in the title, though not the book itself.

 

Who was your first interview with?

I really have no idea, I remember being very excited about getting to interview Alex Lifeson (Rush) for the first time, since then he’s made me dinner at his home in Toronto; it’s strange how things turn out.

 

Of all the interviews you’ve done, who’s given you the best interview?

Neil Peart was very good, especially as he’s not a fan of the form; he was very giving with his time. Sorry, I don’t want to make this all about Rush. David Coverdale’s always good value, he’s an engaging and witty man. Henry Rollins is great if you catch him on a good day and with David Lee Roth you just sit back and watch the fireworks go off.

 

And who was your most uncomfortable interview with?

Kip Winger, he and his band were on the rise at the time and he was egotistical and odious (and wouldn’t take his sunglasses off). Once they fell out of favour and his career waned I think I might have done a little dance.

 

Are there any artists you’d like to interview?

Tom Waits, Hunter S. Thompson, but it’s too late for that now, any living member of Led Zeppelin (who wouldn’t?)

 

What do you think of Internet rock/metal writing?

Phill (Jupitus) always says that the Internet is the toilet wall of the world and for the most part (and when it comes to blogs and writing) I tend to agree with him. Just because you can put it out there online doesn’t automatically make it any good or of any use come to that. Plus, a lot of it’s pretty much unreadable.

 

Are there any fanzines/ezines you read regularly?

No.

 

How has rock journalism in the UK changed in the years you’ve been writing?

There’s more of it (especially online) and I think the standard has declined. It doesn’t help that you don’t get the access to acts that you once did either. It’s a muted form these days, sadly. Sometimes a lot of it reads like a PR exercise, I’m not sure it’s a form that attracts real writers anymore.

 

What do you think of Kerrang!?

I honestly haven’t looked at it since they fired me at some point in the early nineties. It helped establish me though and gave me my first real taste of international travel so I’ll always be grateful for that.

 

Who are your favourite rock writers?

Nick Kent, Danny Baker, Barney Hoskins and Patrick Humphries but there are more…

 

What are your favourite books on rock and metal?

Not strictly rock, but It Came From Memphis is a work of art in its own way. Mick Wall’s Paranoid was a nasty and clever faux-memoir, I really liked it, Nick Kent’s The Dark Stuff and Neil Peart’s Ghost Rider; the story of how he got over losing his family is compelling stuff.

 

Having written about rock music for some time, what is your collection of records and rock memorabilia like?

Most of it is in boxes in the shed, come over and take a look if you like.

 

Interview by Neil Daniels 2009