Date of birth: 06 Nov 1967
Favourite Mescaleros song: Shaktar Donetsk
Favourite Clash song played: Rudie Can't Fail
Favourite Mescaleros concert: St Anns Warehouse - 05 Apr 2002

We recently caught up with Simon, and he kindly agreed to come clean about life as a Mescalero.

Strummersite: Simon, you're one of the newer members of the band, how did you come to be recruited?

Simon: Well, Martin asked me and Luke to join after they'd finished recording Global-a-go-go… I first met Marty at a funky jingle session with Ants [Antony Genn], who I know from Sheffield - small town. Actually, his brother Steve is now my lodger, so there you go...

Strummersite: So, what were you doing beforehand?

Simon: I played bass and keyboards with The Longpigs till we got fed up with record company apathy and decided to split up (I still play keyboards in Richard Hawley's band) I'm also ostensibly in Help with Ants, and hold piano grade 4 (Associated Board).

Strummersite: Which was your first gig as a Mescalero?

Simon: The first Mescaleros concert I performed was the HMV Oxford Street [Global a Go-Go promo] - may or June last year, I think [actually 16th July 2001]. I remember I had to rush off to play another gig afterwards at the Spitz Club with Richard Hawley, which I just made.

Strummersite: What's been your favourite gig so far?

Simon: The Friday gig of the week in Brooklyn [5th April 2002 - suberb show!]

Strummersite: So you enjoyed the Five Night Stand in New York?

Simon: Yeah, it was great. It was one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life.

Strummersite: What's your favourite Mescaleros track at the moment?

Simon: Shaktar Donetsk

Strummersite: What about your favourite Clash track played, whilst you've been with the Mescaleros?

Simon: Rudie Can't Fail

Strummersite: Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros recorded Rock Art & X-Ray Style before you joined the band. How do you rate the album?

Simon: I've only listened to it a few times - there's some good tunes on it.

Strummersite: How about Global a Go-Go?

Simon: I put it on when people come round and it sounds great. Everyone says, "This is nice, who's this?"

Strummersite: We're all looking forward to the upcoming UK performances. Any particular concert or festival you're especially looking forward to this year?

Simon: I always look forward to T-in the Park, and I'm intrigued at how we'll go down at Cambridge - might be one for the chicken outfit…[???]

Strummersite: We know that a lot of work is being done in the studio at the moment. How's the work on the new album going?

Simon: Great - we've done most of the writing and now we're in the middle bit - the hard bit where you have to make loads of decisions. The atmosphere when we've recorded has been very creative, and my amazing contributions will probably lift the band to triple platinum sales figures.

Strummersite: So, what's it like working with Joe?

Simon: Not much like working, more like being shit-faced all the time!

Strummersite: What does the future hold for the band, in your impression?

Simon: More fast cars, booze, women, exploding drummers etc….also, transporter bracelets, intergalactic tours, songs about the good old days, maybe some new members - at present we are auditioning robots that play bassoon.

Strummersite: That sounds kind of interesting [???] Changing the subject quickly, if you don't mind, what do you think about the website (www.strummersite.com)?

Simon: It's very well done - whoever put it together is a genius. Could have more pictures of me, though.

Strummersite: Any message to your fans out there in Cyberspaceland?

Simon: To the person I signed my autograph as Omar Shariff... sorry!!!

Strummersite: Enjoy the summer dates on the West Coast and those back here afterwards, and let's catch up again soon.