Why Paul Weller is a Badass: A Beginner's Guide

A list of reasons I find "the Modfather" irresistibly cool:

• He was 18 when the Jam started. This voice is coming from an 18-year-old kid.

•  Bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols "didn't want [The Jam] in their club." What's more punk than a punk band that isn't allowed in the "punk club?" Just that alone is...like a punk within a punk. As my friend would say "punkception."

 

• He rocks like a rocker, but looks like a total mod. You can't pin him down.

• Because he's the changing man.

 
• He redid a Beatles song with a Beatle. The Smokin' Mojo Filters even got Noel Gallagher in on the act when he was young and fresh.

• He's got soul.

• He supports Epiphone (Just like yours truly).

• He writes songs about a shit, urban-crawl lifestyle and they sound fucking gorgeous.

• He's helped and had help from Noel Gallagher, Graham Coxon, and Miles Kane. 

• After The Jam, he began Style Council. It's such a change of tone it's not even funny. But it's so very good.

• He refuses to stop and he doesn't back down.

• This was one of the greatest moments in music history as far as I'm concerned and what's he doing? He's not singing. He's not playing the guitar. He's playing the drums. In the background. Making history. In the background.

So good job, Paul Weller. You've been fantastic since you were born.

I dress myself for the part. I smile but it just don't work. Something about my face--it must just be the wrong shape. I'd better try another brand pretty quick.