Interview: Paul Collins
Discussing His Upcoming West Coast Shows In December
This interview was originally published in July 2024 to support a handful of Paul Collins West Coast Tour dates in August—but those got canceled due to weather.
Those shows have now been rescheduled for December, with Long Beach, CA power poppers Softjaw playing as Collins’ backing band:
Zebulon (Los Angeles)—December 4
Gonzo Ramen (Carlsbad, CA)—December 5
Supply & Demand (Long Beach, CA)—December 6
House Show (Ontario, CA)—December 7
If there was a power pop Mt. Rushmore, Paul Collins would definitely be up there.
Hell, you could conceivably use all three members of his legendary ‘70s band The Nerves—including Jack Lee and Peter Case—and call it a day.
That powerful SF-to-LA trio didn’t release much music in the short time they were together, but they are easily the band most often cited as an influence when I interview modern power pop bands. That’s mostly thanks to their excellent self-titled, 4-song EP from 1976 and compilations like One Way Ticket from the early 2000s.
The Nerves are probably best known for the Lee-penned track “Hanging on the Telephone” (later turned into a hit by Blondie), but Collins’ tracks like “Walking Out On Love” and “Working Too Hard” are fan favorites.
Incredibly, all of that was before he had commercial success with Paul Collins’ Beat—a band name he still uses today. Any “history of power pop…” playlist worth its salt includes the lead-off track from the band’s self-titled 1979 debut, “Rock N Roll Girl.”
So, when I heard Collins was playing shows around Southern California this December—with LA’s own Uni Boys opening, no less!—I immediately grabbed tickets.
Since he’s very active on social media, I also sent Collins a handful of questions about the upcoming tour, some of his favorite LA shows and venues of all time, and a few of his favorite Uni Boys tracks.
“I feel happy and optimistic that new young bands (like Uni Boys) are carrying the torch. Also, it’s great for me as it keeps me relevant,” Collins told me for the email interview below.
We discuss his West Cast touring band, legendary LA club The Starwood, Eddie Money, Joe Jackson and much more. And, of course, there’s lots of great music embedded throughout.
Paul Collins Interview
These West Coast shows are being billed as 'The Best of The Nerves & The Beat.' Will you also be doing solo material?
Paul Collins: Not sure how it came about, but when it did a huge light went off in my head. I was getting my show ready for the Japan tour and the band was going to be three Japanese musicians that I barely knew. I decided to go straight for the throat and give the people what they want. I came up with a nineteen song set list that just blew the doors off. That became what I now call ‘The Best of The Nerves & The Beat.’ It's an absolute barn burner!
So to answer your question, not playing solo material for right now.
Who's in your touring band on this run of West Coast dates?
Paul Collins: On bass is my good friend Paul Stingo. I met him when he played my Pop-A-Licious Festival with his band Peaces. They have should stuck it out longer as they had some great songs and everyone in the band was super talented. Paul and I have been working together for a number of years now, we recorded my last two albums together and we have done a European tour too.
On guitar is Joey Cola from Sorrows, absolutely fabulous late seventies NY power pop/rock and roll band. Joey recorded a handful of songs on the new record and we just started working together. He is everything I want and need in a lead guitarist, and he sings!
On drums is my old buddy Tim Schweiger. Tim and I have done a million tours together. Most of the time he was playing lead guitar; it wasn't until last year that I found out he was an awesome drummer. It's so good to have a drummer who really knows the songs.
As an artist who started playing LA clubs in the mid-'70s, what are a few favorite LA shows you've played?
Paul Collins: Opening up for Joe Jackson New Years at Santa Monica Civic! He brought us out to sing “Sunday Papers.”
Headlining The Whisky—2 sold out shows. What more could you ask for after all the hustling we did to get over?!
Being invited to sing back ups with Eddie Money on our song “Get a Move On” at the Greek. And all the Hollywood Punk Palace shows we put on.
A lot of famed LA clubs have closed over the decades. If you could bring one back, which club would you choose?
Paul Collins: I have always been partial to The Starwood, maybe because it was the first club I ever went to. Joan Jett was playing and we met Kim Fowley and Rodney Bingenhimer on the same night.
Uni Boys are opening these shows. How did they get on your radar?
Paul Collins: Facebook and Instagram, like most all the bands I hear about. It's a small world that we live in and any band that is getting noticed....news travels fast! “On Your Loving Mind,” “I Want It Too,” “One More Love Song”—check them out. Really glad they are on all the shows, it will give me a chance to know them.
If I got in the tour van , what would I be listening to on the stereo?
Paul Collins: Whatever the driver puts on. Literally could be anything!
What's next for you after the LA shows?
Paul Collins: Tons of shows—a Spanish Tour, shows in Canada, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and a tour of France.
Got to make hay while the sun shines.
