An interview with...Roman Jugg October 2006
Roman Jugg was interviewed by myself (Barry Hutchinson) via email for my "Second Time Around" web page.
NB. The second part of the interview contains questions from 'OfficialDamned.com' Message Board members !
1)Please tell us the story of When/how you came to join the Damned ?
Roman: "At that time Paul Gray lived in Wales and we ran into each other at a gig. After chatting and discovering a mutual admiration for the same kinda music, he invited me down to his rented cottage where he had some recording gear. I think he wanted to present more complete demos of his songs to the rest of the Damned and he graciously let me demo some of my stuff. As a consequence my band were invited to play at a party at Rockfield studios I seem to remember Jammin the night away with the good Captain who was the only other Damned person there, plenty of other peeps but I ain’t gonna start namedropping. The next call came when the “Friday the 13th E.P. was being recorded at the same studio. I carted my Vox Continental down to Rockfield ,seem to remember spending the weekend dodging food which seemed to be the missile favoured (or flavoured) for attack or defence . Shortly after that I got a call asking if I could do a U.K. tour on keyboards, Rat asked me if I could handle it…… I said Yeah"
2) To what extent did you 'feature' on the Strawberries album ? Did you write any of the tracks ?
​
Roman: "Strawberries was a bit of an eye-opener to the self-destruct element that existed within the Damned a lot of shit went on down that I don’t wanna dwell on. But due to circumstances that were occurring, there where long periods where the only people around were Captain, Dave and myself. So I featured a lot more than my credit on the album sleeve suggests. As for writing I wouldn't presume a claim to anything. I certainly helped Paul’s songs along the others know how much my contribution was worth."
3) At what point did you switch to playing rhythm guitar alongside Captain ? Young ones.. Brockwell park 84... ?
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Roman: "I simply picked up the guitar to make the songs more complete in a live environment. I was quite aware of the problems when Lu was involved but I believe that was Brian’s gripe. I never felt any bad vibes from Captain, anyway he had started really getting into his keyboard fetish around that time so the guitar area was getting freed up, but I never presumed….. Nah not when Croydon’s answer to Clapout….oops Clapton was still around!"
4) Which songs on Phantasmagoria did you write ? Who wrote all the lyrics on that album ?
​
Roman: "Is it a dream was all mine. Grimly Fiendish was mostly mine Clive Jackson (Dr and the Medics) only helped with the lyrics. The rest was mostly collaboration but the majority of that was Vanian and myself. But I think the most interesting fact was how Shadow of Love came about. The song was originally demoed when Captain was still “in”, he had the structure, the middle 8 guitar riff was written by Rat, I just shortened it for the intro to the song. I came up with the chorus and perhaps the important first line. D.V. filled in the blanks lyrically. So without really knowing that was a true Damned effort without them realising !…bloody wankers. That is why Captain gets a credit for Is it a Dream I just felt we needed to even things up."
​
5) What was your favourite Damned era (for when you were in it) ?
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Roman: "When I was into it, 77’ to78’. When I was in it, all of it apart from the end."
6) Just how broke/desperate were The Damned prior to being signed by MCA ?
Roman: "Never that desperate but broke yeah. We had a choice, chuck in the towel or use what we had left to demo new material. The Lords Of The Damned made their judgement …..Rat n Dave booked Pathway Studios..."
7) Are there any unreleased songs from the MCA era ?
Roman: "Yes but unfinished."
8) Your guitar solo on Street of Dreams is absolutely thrilling, but who was it that played the spanish guitar sequence ?
​
Roman: "That is a guitar sample played on a keyboard. I remember not being that keen. That’s just cheating. Not Me Not Guilty!"
9) The MCA era often featured 12" remixes - how much input did the band have on this, and how much of it was the work of producers ?
​
Roman: "Tedious, boring if its better why doesn't the record sound like that. Very much another 80’s con."
10) Bryn Merrick mentioned recently in an interview that he wasnt very good at writing songs, and all his song ideas were usually dismissed by the band as being crap, but he did say he wrote Trojans. This song is the best instrumental The Damned have ever done. I'm assuming Rat played drums on this, but did Vanian & yourself have an input on this as well ? What
instrument(s) did you play ?
​
Roman: "Rat plays drums, no Dave, Bryn’s yes , the rest me."
11) How successful was the Anything tour ? What kind of venues were played, and did they sell out ?
Roman: "Same as usual, same as usual . Never liked Anything I will elaborate later but the Damned were always something different live, less machinery to get in the way Less fat cat fuck wits."
12) Who wrote which songs on the Anything album ?
Roman: "All co-written"
13) There are some great songs on the Anything album, but overall there is a feeling of being rushed & some songs not quite finished - any thoughts on this ?
Roman: "I feel that Anything consisted of a lot of ideas too early to consider recording. I honestly believe a lot of stuff on that record would not have even made c- sides. What were we thinking of ! we were being rushed into recording when we were not ready. But that is a record contract. We should have told them to fuck off no-one was really up for it a lot of personal shit to deal with and who in their right minds puts us on a glorified pig farm in the middle of nowhere in Denmark
Anything- Rat’s music o.k.
Psychomania –mine could have been o.k. but rushed
In Dulce Decorum – Mmm.. little obvious maybe
Alone Again Or – another bloody cover
The Rest…………………….no comment!!"
14) Who is the female singing at the beginning of The Portrait 12" version - and what is she singing about ?!
Roman: "Movie called “Portrait Of Jenny” Best watch it."
15) Who was 'Paul Shirley Shepley' - Where did he materialise from (!) and whatever happened to him ? Did he ever contribute to the song writing ?
Roman: "Played keys for “The Anti-Nowhere League” so we gave him an audition. I didn't know the “League” had a keyboard player either. No he did not contribute"
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16) What happened to the third MCA album ? In an interview with Dave Martin (Sugar & Spite fanzine) from 1987, Vanian tells him that The Damned have a whole bunch of songs for a new album. However, Rat said in a recent interview, that there never was a third album, just a few demos. Do you know what these songs were ? Rumour has it that they included 'Loveless and
Damned' and 'Gunning For Love'?
​
Roman: "Yes these songs were demoed but I think what Rat is saying that when songs are so early in their infancy they are just demos. I think Anything had taught us a valuable lesson."
17) At Brixton Ace 1987, The Damned played a Christmas show where 'Gunning For Love' was first played, along with 'Johnny Remember Me'. At this time was it the plan to include both of these tracks on the next MCA album ?
​
Roman: "Gunning for me would have made it Johnny Remember Me …..No, no definitely not, never really liked the song and yet another cover. Fuck off we can write better songs than that!"
18) Why did the MCA-era Damned line up fall apart ?
Roman: "Have you ever woken up lately and seen who’s next to you."
19) Do you think the MCA era should have carried on longer - or do you think it ended at the right time ?
Roman: "It should have ended earlier. After Eloise would have been good"
​
20) The Damned played a few shows in early 1989 billed as Naz Nomad, yet on stage everyone was dressed as rockabilly with hair greased back, and songs were 50% Naz and 50% rock n roll covers. What were The Damned up t0 here ?
Roman: "We gave Dave a placebo"
21) How did The Phantom Chords come about, and whose idea was it?
Roman: "I think you should ask D.V. this one"
22) The Phantom Chords played an early gig in Oval, feb 89 with Rat on drums.. however looking at the set list from that gig, there doesn't seem to be hardly any 'Phantom chords' songs played, but more like what was being played as Naz Nomad. How come it wasn't until May 90 when you played further shows billed as P Chords ?
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Roman: "Yet another placebo matey"
23) Why wasn't Rat asked to stay with The P Chords (in a recent interview he recalls Vanian as telling him that he was leaving The Damned to form P Chords, along with you and Bryn) ?
​
Roman: "Rat still had The Damned… Now be honest who would you choose The P Chords or the mighty “D”"
24) That must have been pretty frustrating when Polydor dropped the P Chords, with you not being able to release the album on any other label?
Roman: "Yes it was a frustrating time for the first time I worked with a producer who let me have my own way, Bill Price. What a gent some good work on that project but no release. I was very confused at this time P-Chords was supposed to be 50/50 me and D.V. but the elusive one had now isolated himself. I would not have contact with him for sometimes 6 months at a time."
25) In a previous interview with Vanian he mentioned that pretty much all the tracks were written by him in a very short period of time - which songs did you contribute to on writing credits ?
​
Roman: "Oh I find my recollections differ from D.V’s"
26) What happened to Bryn Merrick - why did he quit the Chords ?
Roman: "Bryn did not quit, he had to leave."
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**** QUESTIONS FROM OFFICIAL DAMNED MESSAGE BOARD MEMBERS ****
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sisterofdarkness999:
1) we all know how much certain band members like rehearsing. was it as bad during the MCA era?
Roman: "I guess the best thing about a Damned rehearsal was every once in a while you were reminded of what the singer looked like….If you were lucky..."
2) He has played a couple of gigs recently, are there any plans to do more, and how could someone go about booking him? (Papa Loco is a fantastic album btw..)
Roman: "Many more. I’m available for wedding functions.. etc etc"
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Ulrich:
3) Are there any plans for a follow-up to your first solo album?
4) Did the first one sell well?
Roman: "Yes I’m doing several at the moment a new solo album but experimenting on stuff with other peeps which I find real interesting. -Not enough yet so go buy it you wankers!!"
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Paul Kray:
5) Is it true that Nasty was originally a Victimize song and if so, are there any recordings (live, studio or demo) that exist of Victimize's version?
Roman: "No not true. I wrote Nasty for the Young Ones. You are thinking of Dead Beat Dance from the movie “Return Of The Living Dead”. Just used the structure and me and Dave wrote the lyrics."
6) Also, a couple of years back there was a reissue of the two Victimize singles and a one sided LP of unreleased material. Is there anything else in the vaults that may see the light of day?
Roman: "Ahhhh…Yes"
7) Did Henry Badowski do any vocals for anything else besides Emma Knows? And did he ever say anything about the striking similarities between Edward The Bear and Baby, Sign Here With Me?
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Roman: "He said a lot.. mostly under his breath!!
I have some stuff we did together but Henry could be difficult at times bless him"
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Gareth:
8) Speaking of "Edward the Bear", the original demo version with you
and Paul Gray sounds very different, so why was it subsequently changed to
fit the "Baby, Sign Here" tune?
Roman: "A tribute, as a B side (which it was originally) I never expected it to surface on “Phantasmagoria”. I prefer the original B side incidentally"
9) How did the demos with Paul come about? From what I've heard there were some good tunes being played, like the aforementioned "Bear", "Do You Know" (later recorded by Naz Nomad), "He's All Alone", and "Pictures of The
Missing Men".
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Roman: "Covered this already - see above"
10) Paul Gray has said that there were a lot more from this period. Have you thought about getting in touch with him, and getting some sort of official release for these Damned flavoured curios?
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Roman: "Oh..er have to listen to em first"
11) Some people on this message board believe that it would be a good thing to have you involved in some way with the current day Damned. If approached, would you consider, even if only in the capacity of songwriter?
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Roman: "No offence against Mr Pinch but I can’t imagine playing in a Damned without Rat He was the energy. Besides they’re doing o.k. aren't they??"
12) Are there any unreleased tunes that didn't appear on either the unreleased, or officially released Phantom Chords albums?
Roman: "Loads…….yeah loads"
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vampira vanian:
13) Roman are you in contact with any of The Damned?
Roman: "Nope"
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Corporeal Clot:
14) is there any truth in the rumour that you were originally discovered by tony robinson? cheers.clot.
Roman: "No it was Phil"
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DresdenWulf:
15) Would you be interested in collaborating with Mr. Vanian in the future to sing a couple songs for your next record? Songs like 'Tuesday-Jane' & 'Still Your Light Shines On' from your Papa Loco CD would be a good
match for his voice.
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Roman: "Oohh a little bit high for Dave, still could always change the key for his fine baritone voice like I did for Eloise. Always thought they should have done that for White Rabbit"
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inpouthey:
(16) "Have you heard the news? The dogs are dead!
You better stay home. And do as you're told. Get out of the road if you want to grow old"
In 1975, 21 years ago, Roger Waters was writing the abv lyrics...Today
is 11/9/06 ...How real he thinks are those lyrics ? And what does he think
about terrorism ?
Roman: "Lyrics are your own window you decide on what they discern. Terrorism is what it looks like in writing, terrifying. But lets face it it has been around for centuries and will probably result in the destruction of us pig ignorant humanz"
(17) In the period 1965-1985 a lot of people was dealing with music . I remember, even in my neighbourhood, u could find shops selling records.All or a large number of my fellow students were listening to music and a lot of our conversation was about music. Today, just a few people are dealing with music and usually are marked as "underground" people.
Does he think that the following. lyrics represent our World 's future ?
" Leave it to tomorrow
Corporal clot and Stalingrad
They’re the ones to follow
They're the ones, that make me glad
No-one alive and no-one left
Nobody cares or ain’t you heard
Looks like I’ll take my dying breath
In the history of the world"
Roman: "Certainly not."
(18) Does he think a new Punk revolution could be possible in the next years ?
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Roman: "There could be something but by the time it comes revolution will be a word that will be defunct"
(19) What are his memories fm Athens gig in the late '80s. ?
Roman: "Very oooooozzeee!"
(20) If the Martians will ask him what is "music" which would be his answer?
Roman: "Beck"
Thanks very much and my apologies for my bad English. Inp.
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timmy the 40w lightbulb:
21) hi, mr roman, i have often wondered this, have you got a brother
named toby? love timmy
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Roman: "Sadly no they have real boring names like Pep Gab Greg Salvador n Shomee"
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Catwoman213:
22) During his 'era' did he (and Bryn) ever feel kinda 'overshadowed'
by Dave & Ratty?
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Roman: "Not personally , more time for chips and drinks"
23) Oh! And also, just as importantly....Blueberry Muffins: Discuss.
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Roman: "Love love them but get to crunchy if attention is not forthcoming
They must be moist!"
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jonty26:
Hey Roman.
24) A quick question to end all confusion for me.
You re recorded Is It A Dream on your solo album, which sounds great by
the way, but I always thought Captain wrote the tune before he got kicked
out, and Dave did the lyrics, including stuff about his Dad who died around
that time. I guess your contribution was quite large, of which I apologise,
could you give us some details on how the song came about and what part
you played in it.
Cheers Jont26
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Roman: "This song is totally mine,"
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sorciere:
25) Is your birth name actually Roman Jugg, or is it a stage name? Oh now you got me blushing again!!
Roman: "Its my real name. Slovenian origin."
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Miss Muffet:
26) What is the clippet on the end of 'Beat Girl'? I think it's Captain saying "I bet it was stolen...it was" or am I deaf? Please elaborate!
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Roman: "Have to listen to it again myself but it is the good Captain"
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Gareth:
27) Which song are you most proud of writing? Roman: "The one I haven't written yet"
28) Which song, that you didn't write, do you/did you enjoy playing the
most?
Roman: "Smash It Up"
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TooBigaFan:
29) Roman Jugg.. Is this a stage name.. What is your lineage/ ancestry?
Roman: "See 25"
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Combat Plumber:
30) Have you got a dog? What's it's name? If you haven't , have you got
any pets?
Roman: "Black Labrador Names “Trigger”"
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madmuffet:
31) Mr Jugg, do you ever visit this board? If so, what do you make of it and its contents.
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Roman: "I think you guys do a good job"
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PetSumfinatya:
Hiya Roman 'I'm glad to see we share the same love of animals' yep!
Here are just a few questions.
32) Phantom Chords' music is really good; great guitar sound and brilliant music when driving in the pitch black of night.
Who do you think has the closest sound to the Phantom Chords?
Roman: "The devil"
33) Was there any similar music which inspired it?
Roman: "Yes lots of beautiful music but with every beauty a danger can dwell in its shadows"
34) Can you think of any similar sounding cd albums by other artists?
Roman: "Perhaps another Phantom Chords cd/album/séance"
35) Papa Loco was excellent. Whose voice is the American promoter at
the beginning of your CD?
Roman: "That’s no promoter I cannot divulge that particular guy’s occupation"
36) Will you be releasing more of your own music in the near future?
Roman: "Yes, several"
37) Do you have any plans to do any gigs around the country?
Roman: "No I prefer to play in the city"
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