Jim Reid Interview by Arash Torabi, as published in 24 7, September 2006.

The South West just gained about 10 million cred points (God knows we need them, after the embarrassment of Joss Stone). Jim Reid, former singer and guitarist with the Jesus & Mary Chain now lives in these parts.

Originally from Scotland, Jim Reid is a writer of classic songs and a rock'n'roll genius. His band once featured Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie on drums and spawned a million copycats in the mid-80s, with a massive influence on guitar music, the knock-on effect of which can be seen in many of today's bands. There's not enough space here to really do them justice, but in brief, they injected the rock'n'roll element into the indie scene.  Bobby Gillespie once described his experience in the band as "like being in the fuckin' Sex Pistols"

The Jesus & Mary Chain consisted mainly of Jim and his elder brother William, also on vocals and guitar. Some bands thrive on brotherly brawls, but the Reid brothers… well, let's just say that they made the Gallaghers look like the fucking Nolans!

After years of tension, the band finally quit in 1998, during a tour of America. Afterwards, Jim concentrated on his band Freeheat, during the earlier part of the decade. He's now back again, under his own name, with a new single and a band that consists of Loz Colbert (ex Ride) on drums and Phil King (ex Felt and Lush) on guitar. 24 7 caught up with the legendary man for a chat.

What brings you to the South West?

 "I've been living here for about a year now. I lived in London for 20 years, and just kind of got fed-up with it- I wanted to move somewhere more civilised. I'd been visiting Devon and Cornwall for years, every time I could get away. I became a dad about three years ago, and London isn't a very nice place to bring up a child."

So tell us about your recent return to recording and gigging.

"Phil was in the Mary Chain at the end, playing bass in the last line-up, on that ill-fated tour of America. Me and him played a few acoustic gigs together last year and I kind of got fed-up with that and thought 'maybe it would be a good idea to put a band together.' We've been doing a few gigs and we kind of figured we need to sort out an album."

How's that going?

"Well it's kind of tough really, because I don't have a manager or a record deal. It's a bit weird for me because I was always surrounded by people; I snapped my fingers and they made it happen."

It should happen again though, because it's hard to imagine the current scene without your influence. The Jesus & Mary Chain kicked life into Creation Records, which later signed Oasis, who then inspired a whole bunch of other groups. With that in mind, I'm sure someone's going to see that Jim Reid's back in business and do something.

"Well, we'll see what happens. I've got a bunch of songs I want to make into an album, so we'll see who might be interested." 

You sang lead vocals on 'Detroit', from Primal Scream's 2002 album "Evil Heat". Are you still in touch with Bobby and what do you think of their recent stuff?

"I did see Bobby a few weeks ago, that was the first time I'd been in his company in quite a while. I've heard bits and pieces of the new Primal Scream stuff on the radio, but I haven't heard the whole album. What's it like?"

It's a return to their rock'n'roll roots.

"That's what Bobby enjoys doing, and I'd say that they do it better than anybody. They do that bar-room rock'n'roll thing really well."

Are you still in touch with your brother William?

"We occasionally ring each other and speak when we have to, but it's never gonna be the same as it was."

Tell us about your all time favourite bands.

"Just the usual really: Velvet Underground, Suicide, the Beatles…It's all pretty obvious stuff, and it's comforting to know that those records are around. I think the Velvet Underground are possibly the most influential band ever."

Jim Reid's new single "Dead End Kids" is out now on Transistor Records (see review page….)