PJ was interviewed by Blues Radio as part of their Summer Soulstice week focusing on classic Soul music.
BR: PJ, thanks for coming on.
PJ: Thanks for having me. Great to be here.
BR: Here's a question I've been dying to ask you. What’s it like singing with both a blonde and a brunette?
PJ: (Laughs) I feel Bjorn again, no it’s great, but with so many of us onstage, it gets quite cozy, my toes are really bruised. Those girls have both got enormous feet, it doesn’t really show on the photographs but check them out at a gig, we’re talking huge here.
BR: How did you come to join Junction 2?
PJ: Like so many things these days, the Internet did it for me, I e-mailed Jon telling him I was the "best singer ever”, I always seem to get confused between that and “I’m the biggest liar ever”, but anyway they gave me a shot and I’m still getting away with it so you know, mum’s the word!
BR: What bands have you previously been in leading up to Junction 2?
PJ: Oh, tons really, I suppose the most notable ones include a heavy Metal band called Seducer, (laughs) come on it was the 70s, and in the 80's I was heading up a kind of electro pop show band complete with mad costume changes and robotics, oh and I was in one of the very first Glam Tribute bands. Aside from the mad ones, I've had a few bands playing my own material and an assortment of other covers and functions bands.
BR: What is it about singing in front of a large audience you enjoy most?
PJ: Er, the audience I think! Like a lot of front men, it’s actually my alter ego that’s out there giving it loads. It’s like there’s a crazed attention seeker trapped in the body of an ordinary bloke and the audience appreciation is really gratifying.
BR: You’re currently a 9-piece, the band used to be a 10-piece before it reformed, are you still looking for that 10th member?
PJ: Yeh, if you’re a hot trumpet player reading this, then come on down, your country needs you!
BR: Any plans to go bigger?
PJ: Well hey, I’m still in a thirty two waist band but you never know! Er, I don’t know, Jools Holland’s R&B orchestra started out as a trio didn’t they? and what with Jon’s plans for world domination, who knows?
BR: Who’s the biggest ass in the band? Be honest?
PJ: Honestly? Ok, it’s the one whose first name begins with J. Answers on a postcard please to… (laughs)
BR: Rumour has it you’ve been known to play the old black & whites on occasion, ever thought of just becoming a keyboard player?
PJ: Well I fool about a little bit by ear, my style is kind of Les Dawson meets Hoagy Carmichael.
BR: Junction 2 is primarily a classic Soul & Blues band, any plans to branch into other genres? I heard you were an excellent lounge singer?
PJ: Look out for the Jazz flavoured version of Soul man, that’s all I’m saying. No seriously, the scope and talent in the band I think is such that we could include a fairly wide range of material, I think we’re very lucky in that respect and we’ll definitely want to capitalize on that in the future.
BR: The band used to be called Soul Satisfaction, Junction 2 is a great name, but why the change?
PJ: Well following on from what I was just saying, we’re not a band who is limited to one style of music and so we wanted a name that was kind of genre neutral if you like, and also Junction 2 has significance for us as it’s where all roads converge when we rehearse.
BR: What’s your favourite number out of your current repertoire?
PJ: I really like 'Grit’s Aint Groceries' purely on a selfish level, I love the challenge of a really complex melody, but you know things like 'Higher and Higher' always give me a kick, oh and 'Sweet Soul Music' is great because of the adrenalin burst with it being the opener, um am I allowed three?
BR: What’s your least favourite?
PJ: Dhaaagh, I knew this was coming next (laughs) er, maybe 'Do You Love Me', you know the crowd love it but if I had to choose one, it’s probably that one.
BR: What’s your favourite album at the moment?
PJ: Really dig “Cru”, the Seu Jorge album, I’ve just gotta learn Portuguese now though!
BR: Is it true you’ve got twins in the band?
PJ: Yeh, Jon and Jonathan, they’re not completely identical, I think the second one was born forty years after the first or something, it’s best not to dwell on it really, oh yeh and then there’s the Butler brethren or Drum n Bass as we like to call them.
BR: I heard the interview you gave Mercia, you said Soul & Blues is for your heart, like a punch bag is for anger management, instant relief. Care to elaborate on that?
PJ: No I never elaborate, and when I say that what I mean is that I never express at greater length or in greater detail the logic underpinning a basic premise or point of view.
BR: The band has had 6 months off, a new singer, a new start, a new sound, I bet the band is very happy to be back out there?
PJ: Absolutely, you know, it’s the flight of the Phoenix, thanks to the faith and hard work of everyone and not least the founder members. Yeah, it feels great to be back and better than ever!
BR: PJ, great talking to you. Come back soon.
PJ: It's been a pleasure. Thanks.
Interviewed by Blues Radio - 17th June 2006 - Junction-2.co.uk
