Mercury nominated songwriter Paul Weller has ranted against the Royal Family in a new interview.
Paul Weller has always had a political edge. The Jam took on far Right groups with 'Down In The Tube Station' while The Style Council were one of the foremost supporters of left wing group The Red Wedge.
However the Modfather's solo career has been relatively a-political. Returning with his new album 'Wake Up The Nation' it's clear that the singer has simply had enough of the current climate in Britain.
With references to politicians and the Royal Family, 'Wake Up The Nation' ranks amongst Paul Weller's most outspoken works. Speaking to The Guardian, the singer outlined his feelings on life in modern Britain.
"Our guitarist Steve Cradock was 41 yesterday, and someone bought him a 1969 DVD which went through the year"he explained. "Man landing on the moon and all that. And it had the investiture of the Prince of Wales."
"How fuckin' ridiculous that whole scene and system is. How fuckin' anachronistic and absurd. Especially as he's not even fuckin' Welsh! It's such an insult to the Welsh people. I can't believe it's the modern age and it's still here."
Continuing, the singer laid into the current recession and pointed out the hypocrisy of the political system which supported the Gulf War. "It's a way of diverting people's attention from what's really going on. Not that people aren't being hit by it – but how much are they spending in the Gulf war? Fuckin' millions! And they're asking the poor people to tighten their belts. We were watching the newsreels from 1969 and nothing's changed."
Despite his views, Paul Weller was approached by officials from the Palace to see if he would receive a CBE on the Birthday Honour's Life back in 2006. "Comical!" he laughs. "I'm not the sort of person who would expect something like that. It's not as if the dear old Queen chooses 'em herself. And even if she did, I'm not fuckin 'aving it."
Paul Weller's new album 'Wake Up The Nation' is out now.