The Inertia Variations

I had known Matt and his family for several years when he asked me to work on his film ‘The Inertia Variations’. It was to be a film centering on a 12 hour radio show where he would interview prominent authorities on poingnant subjects with the intent to outline contemporary society and the direction it is taking.

It was also to be about Matt and his decision to step away from his career as a singer songwriter. The intent of the filmmaker Johanna St. Michaels was to get Matt to perform a new song written during the film production. It would be the first time he sang in over 16 years.

As I filmed them walking we discovered this wall and a production still was shot.

Johanna St. Michaels directs Matt Johnson

The Radio show was incredibly intense - complex and multi layered.

Film director Tim Pope was a guest on the radio show

Stefan Dickers who works at the Bishopsgate Institute was another interviewee

Neil Maskell with Zeke Manyika

During production Matt’s brother Andy passed and we would not work on the film again for over six months.

Andy was Matt’s older brother and a phenominal artist. If you know Matt’s music I hardly need say more. These pictures are the original artworks for ‘Soul Mining’ by Andy Dog. (RIP)

Matt and Zeke on the day of Matt’s first performance in 16 years.

Norton Folgate is a street of huge historic significance - yet in the main is boarded up awaiting demolition and redevelopment

Towers of Liverpool Street begin to invade Shoreditch

Matt is extremely proactive in council meetings with his attempts to stop big developers steam rolling the heritage of Shoreditch.

Much of the 12 hour radio show and the narrative of it was removed from the final edit of the film and the film itself became guided by the passing of Andrew. The song Matt wrote is about Andrew and his inevitable demise.

John Tottenham

Johanna and Matt - on a day I was filming Matt being interviewed as they walked.

Below are further images with Matt relating to the 30th Anniversary box set release of ‘Soul Mining’ and the 30th Anniversary screenings of ‘Infected’ at the ICA in London.

Matt on Brick Lane - just after his interview about the Soul Mining box set release.

Soul Food - DJ Food Interviews Matt Johnson for the 30th Anniversary Release of 'Soul Mining'

THE THE & DJ Food

Matt with his brother Gerard - signing the Soul Mining Box set - Rough Trade Records

An Installation of Matt by the artist Peter Wilkins

30th Anniversary screening of ‘Infected’ at the ICA London

The story of the filming of ‘Infected’ and why it was produced is fascinating. Matt reasoned it would be too costly to tour the new album live and so the film was devised-the tour would be of cinemas and not music venues.

The budget allocated to the film was unprecedented at the time. It was a massive gamble.

This You Tube clip is profoundly revealing. The ambition!

This is the 51st State of the U.S.A.

Take A Ride With The Pretty Music

It was the Summer of 2005, sitting in a club early one evening and having a drink with my ex-girlfriend, I was wearing a black felt cowboy hat with turquiose stones on the band and sporting a black eye. About half an hour before I had just been thrown out of the 100 club because I turned up to a soundcheck of Juliette Lewis unannounced and when I requested if I could take her portrait the manager took one look at me..hat / black eye and had me thrown out on the street..

The club where we were drinking was for private members and I was given a membership a couple of years back as I did some work for them, although I didn’t think much of the place, the other members were all looking at me, feeling uneasy. Suddenly a guy is in my face and he blurts.. ’I’ve got one thing to say to you.. ’THE STOOGES’! To that I calmly replied ‘are playing next week at the Hammersmith Apollo..why? You going?

Fast Forward to the gig and there’s the guy going mental in the mosh pit. I had to abandon taking pictures as my camera got smashed up during the show and was no longer usable..so I tap the guy on the shoulder and said ‘so here we are’!

Rob with my dear friend the photographer John Webber on our way to Frannie Hopkirk’s for a flying visit.

It’s a long story and one I am still writing for my ongoing book on music titled ‘Bathing Whiskey’.

But what’s extraordinary is Rob and I flew to Australia from London and followed the Stooges on tour in every city..driving most of the way..ditching the hire car in Adelaide and flying to Perth for the final show.

I saw them many times after in London and festivals within the UK..but Rob..now he took it to a whole other level.. Please view the trailer to the film about Rob.

Rob with Hugh Bonneville (see below poster) 2018

A still from video footage shot with Rob Pargiter - Adelaide January 2006

The gig we didn’t see..Sydney January 2006

Rob with Scott Asheton Sydney January 2006

Pictures of Iggy and the Stooges 2005 - 2010 for my ongoing book ‘Bathing Whiskey’

The text for this chapter of the book is unfinished.

Mike Watt w/ Scott Asheton

Thirsty Mike

Steve Mackay

Mike Watt, Ron Asheton, Steve Mackay, Scott Asheton