Paul Simonon talks to us about how OMM's album of the year The Good, the Bad & The Queen came about.
'I hadn't been in a band for 17 or 18 years, and then Damon asked me to listen to some tracks he'd recorded in Nigeria. I'd met him once before, at Joe Strummer's wedding reception. We shared ideas about people, musical styles and where we live...
With the music, I wanted to complement Tony's drums. I'm not into over-complication - I'm not capable of it, to be honest. The lyrics, the London atmosphere, all that evolved as we played. There's a lot of craftsmanship on the record, and Damon has a vision for arrangements, and everyone slotted in around them. 'But it's all done now. We won't make another record, and we didn't properly name the band, because a name is for a marriage. I've got to catch up on some painting now. No dodgy solo albums, no comeback - not that I've ever been away. I've just been painting.'
