INTERVIEW: Simon Wolstencroft

Simon Wolstencroft, aka Funky Si, was the drummer in The Fall for 11 years and part of what many fans consider the band’s definitive line-up. Before that, he was in an early version of the Smiths, but turned down the drum stool due to not liking Morissey’s voice at the time. He was also a member of The Patrol, the band who went on to become the Stone Roses, and Noel Gallagher once asked him if he fancied joining Oasis. Such missed opportunities would make a lesser person bitter, but Si has chosen to accentuate the positive. After leaving the Fall, he hooked up with old school friend Ian Brown and played on the Golden Greats album, co-writing ‘Golden Gaze’. And now he’s written his memoir, You Can Drum But You Can’t Hide. We spoke to Si about his fascinating tale…

Hello Simon. Where are you and what have you been up to this week?

Hello. I’m at home. I’ve been working on the running order for the book launch party on November 13, which is also the date the book is released. Went to see a couple of gigs and did the day job.

Reading You Can Drum But You Can’t Hide reminded me of an old George Best quote: “I spent 90% of my money on women, drink and fast cars. The rest I wasted.” Your story has a similar dry wit, with little bitterness over the ‘what could have been’ opportunities that you missed. What’s the secret to remaining so positive?

I didn’t always feel so positive. When The Smiths first hit the big time I was really down. After being offered the tenure in The Fall, things got brighter. I had a great time most of the time. It was like being on holiday for 11 years. There were a few ups and downs along the way though, obviously. I just think, overall, I’ve had a great life and there is nothing to be bitter about. I’m happy with my lot.

You co-wrote the book with Stuart Bisson-Foster. How long did it take to get your story onto the page?

Two years. Stuart was looking in his e-mails the other day and I first sent him some stories almost two years to the day. We started off with blocks of stories, chronologically, building a timeline. The Fall online was a real help for this, along with my old musician’s union diaries, which I used to note where we were from day to day. These sparked memories. I’d sit with Stuart and he’d ask me about things and we’d write, burning the midnight oil. I also spoke to a few mates about old stories: Brix, Marcia, Dave Bush, etc. Ian Brown was a real help with our school days and The Patrol, for example.

Your account of being in The Fall paints a very evocative picture of life with Mark E Smtih, whose personality you capture in vivid detail. Will you be sending Mark a copy of the book?

No. I think his attitude is we all come crawling back. I like Mark, but from interviews I’ve seen lately he seems to really take the hump with anyone using The Fall’s name. But what can I do? It was 11 years of my life.

You’ve played with a number of significant Mancunian musician of the past 30 years. Are there any with whom you’ve yet to work that you would like to?

I crossed paths with many. I’d be happy to work with anyone who I think sounds good. Except Mick Hucknall!

In the book you make reference to the moment when Reni briefly left the Roses during the 2012 European tour, and the improbability of you replacing him after it’s suggested by a friend. Were you tempted to contact the band after Reni left the first time around back in 1994/95?

Well, I was abroad at the time and read it in the press. By the time I got back, Robbie Maddox was in. I was in The Fall and didn’t make an effort to contact Ian – the Roses were in turmoil at that time. I would have liked to have been asked, though.

If you could have drummed on one song by The Smiths and one song by The Stone Roses, which would you choose?

‘Panic’ by the Smiths and ‘Love Spreads’ by the Roses.

The impact of technology on music is something that you touch on at various points – what did you think of U2 ‘gifting’ their new album to anyone with an iTunes account?

It’s unfair that they are pushing it on people. I don’t like the single.

What was the first single you bought?

‘Wig Wam Bam’ by The Sweet. I bought it in Woolworths in Altrincham. I don’t listen to it these days. I’ve done karaoke once in my life and that’s the song I chose!

Who are your three favourite drummers of all time?

Topper Headon, the reason I started drumming; Gene Krupa, he’s the business! Alan ‘Reni’ Wren, the best of my generation.

You’ve played with a great number of musicians in your time. If you had to form a super group of people you haven’t played with, who would you choose?

Bloody hell, too many to mention. These should be self-explanatory, if you listen to their work: Nile Rodgers on bass, Martin Duffy on keyboards, Carlos Santana on guitar, Beck on vocals/guitar.

What’s happening with your current band, Big Unit?

We are writing an album, which will be out next year.

You Can Drum But You Can’t Hide is published by Strata Books on 13 November. We’ll have a full review on Gigslutz next week.

Paul Sng

@sng_paul

Paul Sng

Paul Sng

Editor-at-large, Brighton. Likes: Lee Hazlewood, Lee Hazlewood songs and Lee Hazlewood's moustache Dislikes: Celery, crap nostalgia and people who raise their voice when speaking as if they're asking a question?