Matt Johnson (The The) speaks to Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt | IN FULL | Rockonteurs

[@bdso9593]

That voice! Even when he talks I feel like it’s a song.

[@MaxellAdGuy]

Mind Bomb blew my Mind ❤

[@nota8386]

This is a brilliant trip down memory lane. Matt's The The is one of the greatest groups of the last 40 odd yrs. It's great that he's back.

[@graemeadamson7272]

What a lovely lovely fella Matt is 👍

[@db4035]

Don’t know what I’d do without this man’s music. Been listening to him since I was 15 or so and his new album “Ensoulment” is a testament to his consistent brilliance as a songwriter. Following a fairly serious looking operation not so long ago where I think it involved surgery around his throat I’m so glad to see him in good health and his voice sounds as good as ever!

[@atdotcom64]

I’m 60 now and Canadian. Soul Mining was so impactful back in 1984 and 1985 travelling alone around the world and living on a ski hill and dealing with isolation and winter dark despite all the sunny skiing and friends and girls etc. In early 86 my father died - he parked the car in garage. And I played this is the day to my mother on the way to the burial. She politely listened. She is still alive and living on her own at 90 and I bring my grandchildren to visit her every week. Bitter sweet… Peace…

[@jaydeanhall]

Matt Johnson is a truly gifted artist that's not appreciated enough!!

[@martinabrahamsmusic2141]

'Infected' was a game changer for me.. and what a lovely bloke 😊💯

[@stevem-h3562]

Infected..... an absolutely life changing landmark album for me. First time I heard it, I loved it. Melodically, fWIW, I think its one of the great albums of the 80s.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

As a teenager I remember catching the videos to infected on Channel 4 late one night and became a fan. Bought the album the next day and it opened a path to alternate music. Seen the the live a few times over the years

[@mrbenn1489]

Snap.

[@bobharrison4711]

Infected film is absolutely brilliant.

[@adrianjones5941]

Ditto

[@leonardjohnny67]

Could listen to Matt for ages

[@DarkandTwistiesMusic-mn9rk]

I saw The The in Reading in 93' I've forgotten the song Matt was singing but it was on an acoustic guitar, after 30 secs someone in the audience shouted out "why are you also so depressed". Matt stopped and said "I'm not depressed" and then continued the song. Loved them since i first saw them playing This Is the Day on the TV in a pool room in a pub near Acton Town tube station in 1983. Huge band for me x

[@C90C60C30]

I’m a ‘68 baby. Loved your Soul Mining LP. We all did in ‘83. Much respect.

[@stephanevillatte5970]

A brillant artist ...''Dusk'' is a masterpiece and the last one...a rich ....subtle affair...great catalog,timeless stuff.

[@grizzadams2110]

Matt Johnson is the most underated lyricist.....EVER

[@bobharrison4711]

Outstanding lyrics, particularly on ENSOULMENT.

[@charliemcgrain]

Massive fan, Infected is a classic; incredible writing, musical energy, originality, top notch stuff.

[@EddieCeefax45AFC]

I barely know Matt or The The, and now I am listening to Uncertain Smile. Thank you Rockonteurs.

[@grizzadams2110]

I hope you enjoy the AMAZING piano solo by Jools Holland.

[@bobharrison4711]

Try to familiarise yourself with the whole back-catalogue...... it's absolutely TOP class.

[@paulinewelsh943]

Top shelf - thank you - loved - Guests who i would normally say no way - thank you for bringing me back to me - open minded - more please Cheers

[@leggdad1]

Thank you for this marvelous podcast! I was really engaged with the common memories. It was like a brilliant conversation down the pub.

[@colinfuidge8660]

Brilliant interview.

[@Boatzerama]

Love The The and Matt’s voice.

[@oonaghblack]

One of your best interviews..really articulate and entertaining artist and a great voice for radio !

[@davewalker5706]

Great interview with Matt (we were born in the same hospital in Walthamstow I discovered from his memoir he put out a few yers ago). Have always loved The The and the new album was a very pleasant surprise this year, great LP, up with Soul Mining, Infected and Dusk for me.

[@tammydj9941]

Wooooow! To see two of my heroes in music!!! Good health to you gents. Just want to let you guys know that i truly appreciate Parade of Spandau and Soul Mining by the the. I still listen to these albums and songs more than ever. God bless you gents!

[@davidharris5849]

thanks so much for this, and all your previous podcasts, luv em!

[@drumting]

Superb, such a lovely episode ❤

[@C90C60C30]

Love this channel guys. Could watch this all night !! You’ve definitely got the content and chemistry right 👍

[@Wearenotreallyhere]

Really enjoyed this, so very relatable and really enjoyed seeing Matt live again recently.

Matt is absolutely brilliant, I can't imagine what life would be like without him! Thank you for being the soundtrack to the best parts of my life

[@JustinLiberati]

ive never seen Matt being interviewed before, a really good interesting bloke,

[@michaelprice1216]

Bought a Laserdisc player and tracked down a nice copy of the long-form "Infected" a few years back. Still a stunning film. Still get chills seeing the angel in "Sweet Bird Of Truth".

[@xiaoxia5]

still have my VHS copy.

[@michaelprice1216]

@@xiaoxia5 For years my only copy was from the broadcast on Night Flight. A bluray with surround mix would be a nice thing to appear.

[@bobharrison4711]

My son converted a Philips cdi of Infected so I can still play it on the computer... happy days.

[@garethstanden3732]

Loved this. I wish he’d talk about the making of the Dusk video too, with Johnny Marr. And Tim Pope. Had that on VHS and must have shown all my mates numerous times. Matt is one of my major influences.

[@chrislong9265]

Brilliant interview 🙂

[@CroTube5000]

He's an important writer and a genius. Just saw The The in LA.

[@tollington9414]

Matt’s calmed down a bit since the 80’s ;)

[@stevecathutch]

Great edition, could listen to Matt all day. I'll probably watch this again, such an interesting guy. Only fairly recently discovered The The and so pleased I did, great songs, intelligent lyrics. Recently saw Guy and Gary at Gateshead with NM's Saucerful of Secrets, a magnificent night, I think we need a The The and Saucerful double headed tour next year. Hoping The The do some more UK shows in 2025, don't forget the north east Matt!

[@NormanClaret1882]

Superb. A character I wasn't really sure about back in the day, liked the odd tune but never ventured deeper. A thoughtful and very interesting interview...now to KZbin to see what I missed.

[@maxine2798]

If you like them, buy some records/CDs or actual artist downloads so he can earn some money from your enjoyment

[@NormanClaret1882]

@@maxine2798 Something I've been doing for the last 58 years, but yeah, thanks for the tip.

[@bobharrison4711]

The entire back-catalogue is brilliant,well worth a lot of listens.

[@tonykehoe123]

Whilst living in London in the 80s ( even carrying out a small joinery job at Gary’s band members house ) I would visit my friends pub in Leytonstone , The prince of wales . I’m kicking myself for slightly having never visited matts family home pub The two puddings as it was only down the road .

[@abeledades]

I remember Earl Harvin touring with The Psychedelic Furs 2000/2001. Magnificent drummer!

[@holgersandoval4262]

Gary your guestd sre stars always amazing

[@CiaranSavage-w5r]

Ongar is an energy

[@joecvar]

😂 I already listened to this yesterday. I didn’t realize there was a video now I have to watch this too.

[@thefunpolice]

I love this man. He's a sincere, creative, approachable, bullshit-free genius.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

I lived for many years in Stratford and used to go to the Puddings on Sunday nights as they had an extended licence.And when I worked in Forest Gate used to walk past the Odessa everyday until it got knocked down in the mid 90.And always thought that the Shopping Centres he spoke of in Heartland was the old Stratford Centre and bus station as they stank

[@ClockwiseCat]

He was brilliant in Atlanta.

[@MultiMrPhill]

Matt Johnson's so very likeable isn't he...I feel guilty now about hating The The after seeing The Beat(en) Generation on TOTP...!!

[@iamyourfuture808]

Matt sounds like Arthur from on the buses

[@TheRaptorXX]

I HAD the 'Great War Movie Themes' album AND our ex-soundman's Dad actually DID the Beatles 'White Album' cover AND we had a Test Departmentee as one of our Roadies AND we had an ex-Hawkwind keyboarder playing with us for a few gigs (can't remember his name) AND me and a mate did some stuff with Mufti from Neubauten in the early 80's AND I was born in 1961 AND one of my best mates used to live next door to Genesis P in Hackney(ish) AND... can't remember... How's THAT then? 😉Brilliant listen is this. Thanks.

[@slumdogjay]

A bit annoying that they keep interrupting Matt mid sentence. Let the man finish what he’s saying.

[@xiaoxia5]

hard agree.

[@GM-qz9fo]

The Pigeons. Blast from the past.

[@pamcm1098]

LOL....Matt said he buys 20 of the same shirts so he doesn't have to decide what to wear.

[@kevinmcgovern4459]

Gary unfortunately you won't be able to collect your OAP until next year age 66 which isn't great, but thems are the rules.