Interview by Tony Gaskin
Photo by Russ Tierney



When the Slam Dunk Festival descended on Birmingham recently we took the opportunity to hook up with Goldfinger's guitarist Charlie Paulson and fire off a few questions at him.

MR - Hi, it's Tony here for Midlands Rocks and I'm back stage at the Slam Dunk Fest with Charlie Paulson, guitarist for legendary punk stalwarts, Goldfinger.

Charlie - Hi Tony, nice to meet you.

MR - It's been a while since Goldfinger were in the UK for the 2008 Reading and Leeds Fest and the last album "Hello Destiny". What have you been up to since then?

C - 2008? It's been that long? Well, John (Feldman) has been busy producing lots of bands, Kelly (Lemiuex) just plays with his guns and I've been helping rescue and re-home abandoned dogs!!

MR - so a complete break from music for you?

C - Not completely, I had my other band, Black President and we recorded an album and went on tour with Bouncing Souls, but then I sort of lost the fire, you know. At some point the fight just left me and I just stopped caring.

MR - Has this break given you the chance to get some of that fire back?

C - We'll see. When I start writing we'll see what comes out, it may be something political or I may just end up writing about my neighborhood, who knows.

MR - So the band are writing again and looking to release new stuff?

C - Yeah, we've probably got around twenty songs to work on for a new album.

MR - How does that creative process work, do you all have input?

C - John is the main writer for the band and he'll come in with the songs probably about 70% done, then we'll chip in and flesh the songs out a bit and arrange the music. Both me and Kelly will perhaps write some stuff as well, I actually got to sing one of my songs on the last album which was a first for Goldfinger!! What we don't do is all sit around and jam and build songs up like that.

MR - You often get labeled as a political or protest band, is that a fair assessment of what you are?

C - Yeah, I guess so. John has strong views on stuff. When Bush was re-elected I was fucking furious. That was when I started up Black President which is the total opposite to a red neck cowboy as president.

MR - So as an angry young American, did the British punk scene influence you at all?

C - Oh yeah of course. The Clash and The Pistols, 77 Kings Road, Vivien Westwood and Malcolm McLarens shop SEX. That's where it all started for me. Don't get me wrong, I love The Stooges and I love The Ramones, but punk really became punk in that shop. That's where John Lydon did his audition and for me that's where punk was born.

MR - Do you still get a buzz when you walk out on that stage?

C - Without a question of a doubt. I think I enjoy playing with Goldfinger now more than I ever have, honestly. It's so great that hundreds of kids will save money from whatever shitty jobs they have to buy tickets to come and see us play. You can never lose sight of that and we're all very grateful.

MR - What bands or artists are grabbing your attention at the moment?

C - Lady Gaga!

MR - Seriously?

C - Yeah, seriously. Forget about the style of music for a bit. She says what she likes, she wears what she likes, she don't give a fuck what anyone thinks, it's the spirit. For me that's punk. Another great band are The Riverboat Gamblers. They are a great fucking R'n'R band, there shows are amazing. You and your readers should check them out.

MR - Finally, one last question. When you're on the road, what's the one item you can't be without?

There's a long silence!!!

C - Coffee!! Not very punk rock I know, but coffee keeps me going, I can't function without it. That answer has probably changed over the years, but no it's gotta be coffee!

MR - Well thanks Charlie for taking time out before tonights show to talk to us. Good luck with the album and have a great gig tonight.

C - Thank you, hope you enjoy the show.

You can check out a review of the Slam Dunk Festival here