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Idles’ Joe Talbot labels Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson “a fucking bully”

By | Published on Wednesday 3 April 2019

Idles

The Idles belated kickback against Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson continues. The band’s frontman Joe Talbot is now wondering “what the fuck is wrong with the guy”.

What the fuck indeed? I think this calls for a recap. Back in February, Williamson accused Talbot of “appropriating a working class voice”. This was more based on his original assumption about who Talbot was, and subsequent realisation that his assumption was wrong, rather than anything Talbot himself had actually claimed. Still, Williamson said he reckoned that Idles’ take on UK politics and social issues was “cliched, patronising, insulting and mediocre”.

Initially choosing not to respond, Idles are now back on the interview circuit and it’s basically the only thing they’re being asked about. So, responses ahoy! Talbot already spoke briefly to The Guardian about it, but now he’s gone into more detail in a new interview with The Independent about what it’s like when someone you’ve previously called a hero starts badmouthing you.

“He’s a fucking bully”, says Talbot of Williamson. “I’ve never once claimed to be working class and for him to misrepresent me like that – it was disembowelling … He attacked me personally, and suddenly everyone was questioning my authenticity. But I was more annoyed by my own reaction: like, why the fuck am I letting someone who doesn’t know me affect me? So, yeah, he’s not a hero anymore”.

As for Williamson’s policing of who can speak on certain subjects, Talbot continues: “This idea that I can’t speak out against austerity or food banks – that I can’t think one of the richest economies in the world having fucking food banks is wrong – I can’t say that because I’m fortunate enough to be able to feed my child? What the fuck is wrong with the guy?”

Well, I guess it’s fun to have your position challenged by someone who’s supposed to be on your side. Builds character. Jason Williamson is the 1950s schoolmaster of early 21st century punk.



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