It was great to catch up with Mike Bennett, the lead singer of The Blockheads at Guilfest on Saturday 30thJune. The Blockheads are an English rock band formed in London in 1977. Originally fronted by lead singer Ian Dury as Ian Dury and the Blockheads, the band has continued to perform since Dury’s death in 2000. They are known for hits like ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’, ‘Same Horse Different Jockey’ and ‘Sex and Drugs’.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK PERFORMING AT GUILFEST?
It feels absolutely great. We really enjoyed playing to such an eclectic audience of all different age ranges. We’ve enjoyed playing the classics, jazz, funk, punk, funk, new wave, all various genres of music thrown into one cohesive body of work.
THE BLOCKHEADS COVER A LOT OF GENRES OF MUSIC IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE FAVOURITE GENRE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
For Chaz Jankel I would say ‘Funk’ and for the band ‘New Wave’ although with a bit of ‘Hard Rock’ thrown in. So eclectic! Because of Ian Drury’s iconic performances and because of the time it came out it captured the audiences of punk but introduced Miles Davis, Parliament and Stevie Dann and groups like this into the new wave scene, so I think that’s why The Blockheads are so unique. Also behind me is a Rolls Royce, so I can afford areal posh ride home!
ARE YOU ENJOYING GUILFEST?
Very much so and I’m looking forward to seeing The Stranglers later. I worked with them back in the day and looking forward to seeing them in this incarnation – they are keeping the spirit of ‘77 alive!
WHAT INPIRES YOU WHEN WRITING SONGS?
Chaz is my producer and he hears me telling anecdotes of things that have happened to me and encourages me to put them down into iambic pentameter and rhyming cupalites. Each verse is a little vignette. It’s all about lyrics and telling stories. Writing things that people can identify with in a universal way.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE A FAVOURITE BLOCKHEADS SONG?
My favourite from a performance perspective is ‘Billericay Dickie’ and then I really enjoy ‘Sweet Jean Vincent’ – starts off as a lullaby and then goes into a rock song. It ends with “If your leg still hurts and you need more shirts, you have got to get back on the road.” There’s an obvious reference that Ian Drury made there that identifies with one of his icons.
IF YOU HAD TO TAKE 3 THINGS TO A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
A pair of sandals, a glam rock album and a beautiful woman!
BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
It was by Chaz Jankel in this band and he said “Leave your producers hat at the door.”
WHAT IS YOUR WORST HABIT?
It is pacing around like a lunatic, with ADHD (which I have in abundance) and irritating the fuck out of everyone with my ADHD!!
WELL WE LIKE YOUR HIGH ENERGY & WOULDN’T HAVE YOU ANY OTHER WAY?!
Thank you very much! Well I don’t agree with the word “disorder”.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE GROWING UP?
I wanted to be the lead singer of an iconic band! Oddly enough!
WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE?
A pencil skirt.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR EYELINER? (ITS SO GOOD AND HASN’T SMUDGED!)
Camden Market.
WHO WAS THE WORST SHOWBIZ PERSON YOU HAVE MET?
Finding it hard to dish the dirt. Can’t think of anyone. Give me another question?
WHAT COULDN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
Cigarettes.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2024/2025?
We are booked right through till the end of March 2025! About 70 more dates I think. And then I am doing a lot of writing, including a book with Boy George called ‘Hansel & Metal’ – a homoerotic spin on ‘Hansel & Gretel’ he plays both characters in this X rated audiobook. It’s no worse than ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ on acid!! After turning it into an audiobook we are hopefully going to turn it into a musical.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD TO ALL OUR SURREY READERS?
I just want to say that this has been one of the best audiences I have ever played to – such a mix of age ranges, and perfect for The Blockheads.
