Sleaford Mods: "I regret bullying people"

I've mentioned before how Sleaford Mods, in 2013, rekindled my hope for the future of the alternative scene. You see, at a time when everyone had already turned to pop, psychedelia, and the combination of the two, the Nottingham duo came to shake the foundations of the UK with an album full of fresh air.

So, it should come as no surprise that, ten years and six albums later, the band has established itself as one of the UK's greatest artistic voices, thanks to its continued musical evolution and the way it manages to describe the socio-political landscape. At the same time, they are an excellent live act, something we have witnessed twice in Greece, in 2015 and 2022.

And while Andrew Fearn's contribution has without doubt elevated the band to where it should be, Jason Williamson, one of the most charismatic performers out there, has always been the soul of the band. After the release of their new, once again excellent, album, "UK GRIM", we talked with him about contemporary alternative music, the UK, his special relationship with Greece, and much more.

Hello Jason. Thank you for this interview and congratulations on the new album. First, please help me clarify, is this your 12th or your 7th record? Should we count the albums before Andrew joined or not?

Hi. It’s the 7th with Andrew. I did 4 Cdrs, on my own before I met him. Andrew’s contribution has made Sleaford Mods what it truly should be. I like the albums I did before I met him of course and I’ve come believe that they belong in the history of Sleaford Mods, yes.

It’s been a decade since "Austerity Dogs". What do you remember the most about that time?

The surreal feeling of slowly becoming a band people wanted to go and see.

We were the best band in the country. We still are

"Divide and Exit" was by far my favorite album of 2014 and, basically, it’s been like this with every one of your records since, including the new one. Would you agree that the release of "Divide and Exit" was a turning point for the band? And how did things change?

Yes, I would. Primarily because the U.K. started to take a serious interest. We were reviewed in the broadsheet papers which at the time were big deals for me and Andrew. The country started waking up to Sleaford Mods. It was a satisfying time creatively speaking. We were the best band in the country. We still are.

Tell me a few things about "UK GRIM". When did you start writing it and was it affected by the COVID-19 quarantines?

We started writing it in 2021 with rough demos for "So Trendy" and a completed "Pit 2 Pit". UK GRIM is essentially a post pandemic album. It deals with the psychology of restrictions being lifted.

"UK" GRIM is a tighter version of our older records

I think that there is a lot of anger in it. Did you consciously want to make a more aggressive record, or did it just happen?

It just happened. "Spare Ribs" was lauded as a great record, a defining album and I wanted to extend on that but instead we extended on it in a different way. It’s more angry, "UK GRIM". It’s a tighter version of our older records.

The past few years have been quite difficult and crazy. Do you think that your music has more mass appeal in the current political landscape? The success of "Spare Ribs" seems to indicate so.

To a certain degree. But we aren’t the repackaged same old cliche rock’ n’ roll stuff or punk stuff so our audience internationally and at home, will only ever be in certain numbers. You have to accept that if what you do is more experimental.

I’ve never been one for loving my country

In "I Claudius" there is this lyric: "What is wrong with loving your country? Everything!". Do you think patriotism is a bad thing or has its meaning become perverted by the authorities?

Partly perverted by the state but I’ve never been one for loving my country. I don’t understand that notion. I’m just happy in certain places. I draw piece of mind from certain parts of the country and the world.

"D.I.Why" is one of the most interesting songs on the album. What were your reasons for writing it? Do you think that the DIY scene has become way too preachy and self-righteous? Or was it always that way?

It’s always been that way it’s just that its larger image is somewhat protected by the myth that surrounds it. I wrote the song because of this transparency. I can’t stand those Fucking earnest cunts.

There was a quote on your Spotify page that read "We ushered in a new way for indie bands to sing and approach their music and now we regret it". Is that how you feel about the UK indie scene?

Yes, but with one or two exceptions.

But there have been quite a lot of interesting new bands. Are there any that you really like?

Dry Cleaning. Pozi. A couple of others.

I regret bullying people

You have always been quite outspoken, which, I think, is a good thing as it is good to know where the artists you like stand. Have you ever regretted something you said or wrote?

Of course. I regret bullying people. I’ve tried to apologise to some of them but I can’t expect favourable results can I? But yea of course I do regret some of those things. But I also still believe criticism is important. Of self, of others.

You’ve done a bunch of collaborations over the years. On the new album you worked with Florence Shaw from Dry Cleaning and Perry Farrell & Dave Navarro from Jane’s Addiction. How does this work? Do you write the song with someone in mind or do they come in after?

They usually come after. Although I did write "Nudge It" with Amy Taylor in mind. I love Amy.

You recently buried the hatchet with Joe Talbot from IDLES. Are you on friendly terms now? Would you consider a collaboration with him in the future?

Joe accepted my apology although we didn’t carry communications on afterwards. I don’t blame him. I wasn’t very nice at all, and you have to accept that. He has a very good career and I’m sure the last thing on his mind is myself.

It took a longtime to know myself after I stopped drink and drugs

You have spoken publicly about getting sober in 2016. How difficult was that and how did it affect the way you make music?

It made the music better. It took a longtime to know myself after I stopped drink and drugs. I’m still learning. My wife stayed with me, and I will always love her for that. I’ve been lucky enough to have a second chance.

Lately, you’ve played roles in Peaky Blinders and Landscapers. How did that come up? Any chance of more acting in the future?

Acting is a hard profession. I’m not sure if I’ll do anymore. It’s worse than music! Haha! I landed the role in peaky blinders through someone who knew Cillian Murphy. I emailed him and he offered a part. It was a good experience.

The Fall have been famously described by John Peel as being "always different, always the same". I think the same applies for you as in every album you seem to grow and broaden your sound without losing your basic characteristics. Do you think it’s possible for your sound to continue to sound fresh?

If we remain true to ourselves and care for it, then yes.

I am part Greek. It’s my home in many ways

You have said that you used to visit Greece with your family in the ‘80s. What do you remember the most about it?

Souvlaki and the busy streets of Athens. My auntie and uncles love and eating pasta for the first time ever! Also, pizza too!

You also played in Athens in 2015 and 2022. Any plans of returning any time soon?

We hope so. I am part Greek. It’s my home in many ways.