Weller still maintains a political edge, aggrieved at the way Tory policies have duped the British people. Now I just think that I worked fucking hard for it all. "The money, the lifestyle, the hotels and stuff. "I used to feel terribly guilty about everything," he says. Relaxed and happy, he laughs, smiles, cracks jokes and is plainly content with the hand life has dealt him. Judging by appearances, Paul Weller is a changed man. For those who think all this "found myself" business sounds like Me Generation stuff-not quite what you'd expect from Post-Modernist Paul-we are in 'Cisco and if you're going to get introspective in the US, here is probably the place to do it. Up to the top of Knob Hill and down to Fisherman's Wharf, and then along to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge he goes, with lens man Watson snapping all the way. It has echoes of a special magic-and Weller has been sampling it, riding cabs and tramping streets in search of the lost photo opportunity. It may no longer be the hippy haven of yore, but it's still the flower in the hair of the California coastline.
#PAUL WELLER SAN FRANCISCO SKIN#
But under 80 degrees of sunshine that can turn an unsuspecting pale English skin lobster-red inside 45 minutes-"it can do your 'ead in if you're not careful"-you can find yourself saying anything. But what you hear is what you get." Weller had exhibited the same New Age reflection after his show at L.A.'s open-air Greek Theatre a couple of days previously, lounging by the side of the pool in his favourite hotel. "It may sound a bit odd sitting here and talking like this. "I really think I've found myself with this album," he says, pausing to shake another Marlboro Light out of its crush-proof packet.
Yet here we are, six months later, back-stage at the 3,000 capacity Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, and he's pondering again. A man who had decided to play things his own way no matter what. Despite having parted company with Polydor, who had rejected his last Style Council album a matter of months earlier, Weller assumed the air of a confident man.
If I put any records out, they'll more likely I than not be released on my own independent Freedom High label." When he spoke to VOX in January of this year, Paul Weller was confident that he had the whole world in his hands. "I can't see myself ever moving back to a major label. But finding a record company to release his latest album-now that's another matter.
He laughs, he smiles, he looks inward, he finds himself.
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