Rod Jones of Idlewild and The Birthday Suit - interview
The guitarist discusses pink socks and white lies
First record you ever bought
‘Do they know it’s Christmas’ single – Band Aid.
Last extravagant purchase you made
A set of harmonicas that I’ve never used.
First film you saw that really moved you
I guess ET. I cried like a wee girl at the end.
Last lie you told
I’m busy tonight…
First movie you ever went on a date to
I’ve never really gone on dates to the cinema as it’s a rubbish place to talk to someone.
Last time you cried
When I got married.
First thing you do when you’ve got time off work
Talk about all the work I should be doing. I find it hard to stop.
Last great meal you cooked
I cooked a mean roast dinner last night.
First crush
Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club (before the makeover).
Last book you read
I just reread The Great Gatsby.
First great piece of advice you were given
Never fib to a fibber.
Last time you were star struck
Probably meeting Michael Stipe.
First thing you’d do if you ran the country
Wait to see if anyone was looking and jump on the bus.
Last meal on earth – what would it be
The sea bass pasta dish at Al Dente in Edinburgh. Yum.
First song you’ll sing at karaoke
‘Stan’ by Eminem (only with Colin [Newton, Idlewild drummer] as a partner).
Last time you exploited your position to get something
Probably tickets to some show, Patti Smith I think.
First time you realised you were famous
I can’t remember, but I remember my Mum saying she realised when I told her I’d met Hayley Mills at Glastonbury.
Last time someone criticised your work
It happens all the time unfortunately. Most recently my Dad told me we were too loud at a gig in his village pub.
First three words your friends would use to describe you
‘Heard it’s rubbish’ (my catchphrase, apparently).
Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it
A pair of pink socks – I’m just too old for that.
First concert you ever attended
Sugar at Leeds Town and Country.
Last time you bought someone flowers
My wife (I can’t remember the date so I should probably do it again).
First object you’d save from your burning home
Our cat basket (with cats inside, obviously).
Last funny thing you saw online
A very old picture of myself with red hair looking like a matchstick.
First job
Kitchen porter at Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip emporium.
Last person you fantasised about
My wife, obviously.
First word you spoke
Apparently ‘Bampi’, which meant grandad.
Last crime you committed
I was undercharged at an overpriced restaurant and said nothing.
First song at your (potential) wedding
I’m married already and it was ‘Me and Mrs Jones’, by Billy Paul.
Last song at your funeral
‘Show me the way to go home’ (the ELP version).
First person you’d thank in an award acceptance speech
My family.
Last thing you recommended to someone
An Apple computer, which now means I get calls every day from my dad asking how it works.
First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning
I wish I had slept.
Last thing you think of before you go to sleep
I wish I could get to sleep.
Rod Jones plays Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Fri 24 Aug and Nice ‘n’ Sleazy’s, Glasgow, Sat 25 Aug.