Billy Idol was always a step ahead of everyone else.
Just look at his musical pedigree that includes punk pioneers Siouxsie & the Banshees and Generation X before teaming up with Steve Stevens and starting his ultrasuccessful solo career in the early 1980s. “White Wedding,” “Dancing with Myself” and other songs launched Idol into superstardom.
“I know a lot of people when the ’80s was going on … was slagging us off,” Idol said, talking about the popularity of 1960s and 1970s progressive rockers such as Black Sabbath. “It really took punk to wipe the slate clean. … There are only a few of us left out here who are doing it with the same kind of vigor we that we did it with in the early days.”
That’s why rock critics throughout the United States keep writing that Idol not only fills amphitheaters but brings so much interest he could sell out thousands more seats. Little wonder Idol will headline this year’s HFStival with Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Presidents of the United States of America, Ed Kowalczyk from Live and many others.
Prepare for Idol and his new band – all disciples of punk including Generation X – to re-create the raw genuine sound that made Idol’s name. Gone is the lighter sound that Idol played the past 10 years. Now he’s back with his heavy signature sound including new tunes.
That’s thanks in part, said Idol, to new band members drummer Jeremy Colson and Billy Morrison on rhythm guitar. Their knowledge of punk is what gives his sound fresh excitement whether the band is playing classic Idol songs, Generation X tunes or some of the newer songs Idol has moved into the set.
“We’re having a lot of fun,” Idol said. “We also have a new sensibility.”
Although Idol is now in his 50s, he keeps his show high energy by partying sans drugs or alcohol. Still, there’s plenty of fodder for the new songs including the tattoos of the band members that they sing about in “Scars of Life.”
“It’s been fun putting our lives together and coming through it alive,” he said. “Now we’re just enjoying the new music and writing songs about it. That in itself is invigorating.”
