The Clash's Paul Simonon shows off his artwork

[huntingforgod]

Fuck he's cool

[TheRocknRollSound]

That's nice !

[marykiwi1]

oooooooooo.....I had a real crush on paul simmenon as teenager....i remember not washing my hand for a month or so because he touched it at a concert in New Zealand oooo so many years ago! He's still super sexy!!!!

[casbah1982]

Paul is one of the last truely cool motherf*ckers on the planet. Everyone after him who tries to be cool is merely a follower or a poseur.

[TheAdjacentFetus]

what a cool guy

[GilShaniMusic]

he's one of my mum's close friends

[ardibeltza77]

Love Paul, but hate the fact he paints about bullfighting, that's nasty....and sad....

[seezarorest]

@ardibeltza77 The sad pat is that you use a cliche to judge art. The other sad part is that 10-or so years ago you would have nothing against bullfights. Paul shows the emotion behind bullfights, as a part of reality it can be painted. I believe in artistic freedom and integrity. Fuck censorship.

[smillsy71]

@seezarorest The demise of bullfighting has nothing to do with 'censorship'. It is due to a collective awakening and growing understanding between humans and animals. It is not a cliche. And yes, many people have had something against bullfighting for as long as they have been aware of it. I do not, however, judge Paul's paintings of matadors or bullfights based solely upon the subject matter. I sure you, however, took great note of his use of light and shading and technique he used.

[corpsemunger]

he is a total badass but I don't like his art that much, its alright - 

[raq757uplayer]

haha always a cigarette behind his ear

[mindingosafado]

his so good at painting! holy shit!

[izabellexoxo]

LOVE how he hasn't changed in his old age!! The way he stands is cool, and he has a fucking cigarette behind his ear...old age can't take the punk out of him <3

[casbah1982]

@izabellexoxo considering that he is only in his 50's; he is far, far, far from old!

[gamer4life444]

hes so cool!

[kekeputasmile]

The guy that when he speaks about painting, he has the same class as when he sings Guns Of Brixton 30 years later

[jenssalumae2]

I hate people going on about Paul's bass-smash. He smashed one bass guitar that'd been giving him jip all night. He's not some petty rock'n'roller, he's a humble musical genius.

[elenawwr]

LEGEND.

[MenofGoodFortune1]

he can't paint. well he can. but that's the point. think about the analogy involving celine dion... she can sing right? but that does that make her any good? no. exactly. same rules apply.

[iamdeclanmoore]

@MenofGoodFortune1 you couldn't do any better,

[Exilemainstreet]

I Like the one at 2:21. He has one with circles and a car I really like, but not shown here.

[stesyU2]

Paul *-*

[LBJstevenash13]

he looks basically the same as he did in the 80s except his hair is short now

[Mickolboy1]

That's what made The Clash, blokes from similar backgrounds but very creative,

One of the most humble bands ever, I really hope Paul does well. Long Live The Clash!

[TheSandsie13]

is it just me or does our paul look really uncomfortable at the begining of this?

[ParallelRapturez]

@TheSandsie13 Their always like that like Joe Strummer in the The Clash 1979 interview

[JetHawk]

I got his autograph as he is on tour with the Gorillaz as of this moment. And the lady who helped me take some pictures of me with the band told me I have the autograph of one of the most historical rock n rollers out there.

She told me he was the guy who smashes the guitar and I had a good feeling I knew what she was talking about. And wow, she told me I got this guy's autograph without knowing it.

[gamer4life444]

Wow. He looks like hes in very good shape.

[decaysvegan]

I wish I could do two things brilliantly.

[Mickolboy1]

Éres la hostia tio. I live just down the road from las Ventas.

[MsGORGONS]

@ryansanutter that's why he quickly got on with the subject

[katgrrrl]

Beautiful artwork!! Music is a form of art as well and the bassline to The Magnificent 7 is a masterpiece!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

[sagan1]

@katgrrrl Mick Jones actually came up with that bass line, Simonon was doing something i can't recall what and wasn't in the studio.

[katgrrrl]

@sagan1: Turns out, we might both be wrong! Check this out... "Sadly, Paul didn't do the bassline on this song, It was Norman Watt-Roy of the Blockheads. Paul was filming a movie in Vancouver for the first week of the Sandinista sessions, so you hear Norman on Mag 7 & Lightning Strikes, which happen to be the funkiest lines on the album."

In my quest to find out the real bassist behind the bassline, Norman Watt-Roy's name kept comin' up.

So, whaddaya think?

[MsGORGONS]

@katgrrrl you r right. 2 blockheads came in ...to the rescue. All members were a bit here and there...even Topper was left to his own device in the studio...which number did he do?

[MsGORGONS]

@katgrrrl I'm butting in...ye...it is/was WAtt Roy the man with 7 fingers...on his left hand...if yr interested in finding out abt Norman, buy anything IAN DURY has done cos' he is/was a BLOCKHEAD. If you can't buy the records...steal them !

[katgrrrl]

@MsGORGONS... Hahaha! But in all ya want, hon! Thanks for the info. I used to play bass...back inna day...wayyyyy back... Anywho, the bass on The Magnificent 7 has always been and will always be one of my faves. I could play it, but never up to speed, lol. Not even close, haha! But, I would like to hear more of Watt-Roy's stuff, so I will check out some more of Ian Dury's (there's a name I haven't heard in yeeeears) stuff and some Blockhead's stuff too

!

Thanks again, MsG! You're awesome! :)

[Bmunde]

@katgrrrl I don´t think he recorded The Magnificent Seven

[EmoryHam]

Aw paul I always luved you, you inspired me to play bass, I never knew you  liked art that's so cool

[numberwang2020]

well hes not just one of the coolest bass players ever from a great British band but a great painter..a true all round artist..I remember seeing his battersea power station painting a few years ago on jools holland and it was very impressed..

[RockinBlues4]

oh i just love him, and he's so talented, i would love to own one of his paintings!

[MsGORGONS]

@RockinBlues4 ok...either rob a bank or start saving NOW

[RockinBlues4]

@MsGORGONS hahaha yeah maybe i should, cuz i know those paintings cost A LOT XD

[leannewoodfull]

paul simonon is god. and he is also a painter?

is there any way, in which he isn't talented?

[MsGORGONS]

@leannewoodfull washing up after the kids

[thehomefront]

this guy is a fucking wreck, a bum

[thielees]

Still has the ciggie behind his ear. Same one as in 1977?

[bareknuckles2u]

Wow, those are some pretty good looking paintings! Impressive!

[ale999999]

todavia tiene el cigarro en la oreja jajajajaaaaaaa. grande paul

[houseofchintz]

Paul's great. I love him!

[SuperGrimupnorth]

this guy is still so cool,..Mani from the Roses picked a bass up cos of this guy,..Simonon got his place in the Clash cos he looked so cool..he could'nt play the Bass....but learnt real quick,...Geezer...

Carlos

[gar137]

Wow! Thanks for posting! Paul rules- whether with paint brush or bass!

[aaleejaandraa14]

I love him, so much!

[LouReedsBooks]

He looks better than Pete Doherty.

[josephpeters239]

The Clash... the ONLY band that ever mattered.

[PBANDSNOW]

OOOOOOOO, THE PAINT OF BRIXTON!!!

[WaveneyWolf]

@PBANDSNOW How you gonna come? with your hands on your head or on the tip of your brush?

[PBANDSNOW]

@WaveneyWolf Haha nice

[wisesatyr72]

I see some gauguin and van gogh influence in his paintings

[DuBoseEric]

damn paul cant paint too! kool ass paintings especially the skeleton one reminds me of van gohs

[MrMusicfan007]

I play bass and I like drawing.........

[riley666staples]

@MrMusicfan007 so do a million other people.

[Butteryjam]

Absolute fucking hero, so many talented musicians that were around in the days of the clash are no longer with us good to see Paul doing so well and still be a fucking badass, looks great for his age aswell.

[carlostheman100]

what a geezer

[siouxise82]

Paul looks good and paints very well. I love him.

[johnnydarkhorse]

Love the cig in the ear, totally clash.

[SlavicPurpose07]

paul simonon is my IDOL!!!

[PoireauMan68]

Billy IDOL is what then>???

[SlavicPurpose07]

anuva legend!!

[27lulubell]

Love The Clash! Way before my time but Paul was one of my earliest crushes. Don't want to make my fiance jealous, but, did he even age?

[PoireauMan68]

yes his legs have got shorter...but he still CUTS it on stage even tho his basslines ave gotten lazy and the dollar bills wod fatter (thanks Damian)

[stk440]

can the bitch please wear a bra ?

[icecoldcurry]

this guy is my F-ing heroe. I never knew he was a painter.

[carlos7217]

i wonder if John Squire swaps notes ith Paul,...cos Squire is a massive Clash fan

[carlos7217]

fk me.Paul still looks young and cool,he could front a band today

[desasterz]

Wow... he's very good...

[emmanuelcold]

He had problems when he tried to learn to play bass but i'm sure he's great artist! felicidades Paul!

[NeebsLucas11]

actually it was the guitar, he's a wonderful bassist!

If I do say, I prefer his hair without the buzz cut :P

Long live the Only Band that Ever Mattered

[PoireauMan68]

I hate hat..we all have had stuff..problems...who gets up in the morning of your life and play like LAGOYA

[doobiescoo1]

Excellent style,..the brush strokes are beautiful. What an accomplished artist. Bravo!

[BenHughesLlan]

he's a bloody good artist

[greenotaku21st]

hell yeah, he looks hot

even he had 53 in there

[eyeballbuddy]

when they kick at your front door how you gonna come?

[relaxingmusic101]

@eyeballbuddy Guns of Brixton

[shawry86]

hes still fit

[CombatRocks]

Cool dude.

[Portis1Luv]

Wow, his work is really impressive. Right on Mr. Simonon.

[jpbass150]

i think he originally wanted to become a painter, before he met Mick Jones and became a bassist. he's lucky enough to get to be both in one lifetime!

[PoireauMan68]

JONES taught him to play bass...I think he actually auditioned as a...SINGER first of all !!

...Mick had really long hair and Paul offered to cut it cos' he couldn't really see him at all...Mick was like a FLINTSTONED right...Then, paul thought Art school was boring and then they signed the big contract...any other questions just ask me !

[robbanzana]

I wonder how much that "bacon and eggs" painting costs. I'd love to have it up in the kitchen, looks delicious!

[PoireauMan68]

i went to this exhibition, got a couple of catalogues but gave one away, packed the other one...I mean...I was standing right in front of them and they are truly AMAZING PICTURES...now pricewise...they're dear...very dear...I hope he sells the lot and buy his mates a drink ! ahha

[kingpinn411]

paul simonon and damon albarn are both just amazing

[PoireauMan68]

But Paul is more amazing than Damon...Damon has floppy trousers and he plays in too many bands.

[kingpinn411]

well, i know people seem to think that damon is too boygroup-like or something but i think he is just as authentic as any clash member, iggy pop or any other he is just not that "rocknrollish"... but that doesnt matter... he is a genious for the songs he composes and a kind person in my opinion... srry for my english...correct me please if i didnt express myself right

[PoireauMan68]

your English is fine...don;t apologize...don't get me wrong either I LOVED BLUR and I think they WERE a fine band...I just think DAMON like the exposure too much and every little jerk playing WITH A STRING ORCHESTRA gets on my tits...and that's true of METALLICA (that's one SHIT band), the Manic street preachers and the rest...everytime a musician runs dry with IDEAS he runs to MALI or buys a STRING ORCHESTRA...i just HATE string orchestras. I like them in the right place otherwise FORGET IT !!

[annizable]

;D ;D ;D ;D

[admanphoto]

So many fucked up and dead folk from 1976. It's brilliant to see Paul looking so good.

[MsGORGONS]

@admanphoto Vegemite and a hint of ginger tea

[NuNegus]

Paul Simonon is a damned genius as a bassist and a painter. I can honestly say that if it weren't for Paul Simonon and Aston "Family Man" Barrett, I wouldn't have picked up the instrument.

Like Paul, when it comes to music, Reggae is where my heart is first and foremost.

While a lot of great rock artists have done Reggae real well, I think Paul is the best proof that White musicians can indeed play Jamaican music. It'd be a real honor to meet him someday.

Peace & love from Seattle!

[wardnikoff]

Indeed. He provided such a huge part of the Clash sound. The paintings are pretty good too!

[PoireauMan68]

WOBBLE...he's whyte !

[NeebsLucas11]

Holy mother of jesus he's good.

I wish i was alive when they were still around.

[mullingman]

Wow, his stuff is really good.

[aftergeography]

Oh....Damn,he's very good in painting!! GREAT :) This man has a lot of lovely side: beautiful,rich,famous,brillian­t..and also good in painting..The dream of all women..PERFECT :)

[MsGORGONS]

@aftergeography the dream of SHALLOW women...

[lofi73]

I wondered for a long time what his paintings would look like...Not bad!.Why did´nt we see more of the skeleton painting?

[japicuca]

I bet he likes Solana´s painting, they are very similar. ( Solana is very good Spanish painter with a dark side like Goya)

[theyakkoman]

Like the bacon and egg bit. Talk about starving for your art.

[iggytretiak]

And Havana 3AM!

[muttilo]

Saw Paul for this first time w/ GBTQ at SXSW a few years ago . Very cool , but ala/ John Entwistle his bass was overpowering . These paintings are of such a shocking quality ,wow !

[luvlife23]

he is just awsome beyond words

fantastic bassist

fantastic artist

fantastic person

[sacredo07]

The coolest bloke ever to have come from any era...a taleneted chap and real good looker....SIMONON!

[50centisaknob]

that bullring one is amazing

[AcousticSolo]

i would have pissed my pants in excitment if i was her.

[PoireauMan68]

she did, she's just good at hiding...her feelerings.

[glenmann62]

where can i buy me one anybody know ? i want that bacon and egg one!

[PoireauMan68]

i see n the exhibition...I love PAUL 2 bits but these are dear...unless you work in the OIL industry or is a druggie baron...you'll have to sell your flat, yr grannie's wheelchair and your precious record collection to enjoy just ONE slice of this bacon. Hum...yummy!

[hockeyrocks5757]

I didn't know he was such a good painter

[JackLivesHere83]

he does look uncomfortable, fantastic paintings though

[junksweet]

cool as fuck. Nice one Paul, your good man..

[thenetwork00]

nice artwork paul!

[DreamerM]

Anyone else think that reporter looks like she's trembling? "OMG CLASH!"

Paul still has his famous sex appeal.

[KirbySuperStarUltra]

WOW; NICE!!!!!

[00Indy]

he looks so uncomfortable, lol

[robertchandler43]

The painting at 3.10 is totally symbolic. The fallen matador metaphor could work for each of the four band members at a certain time in the band's life.

[Miszpinktuxedox3]

OMG i love him he was sooo hot!!! where's the friggin time machine when u need one??? hahaha LOVE U PAUL<333

[PoireauMan68]

if you're 17 now and you need to go back to 1998 when PAUL was, for the greatest part of the day, living the life of a recluse doing paintings of Trafalgar square from a series of postcards he pinched from the newsagent's, you woulda been 7...with your Stevenson-typed-timed machine...no good for Paul as he recruits his models from an agency (presumably) and he ditched the nudes for MATADORS and BACON. Just one of his small paintings cost as much as one yearly consumation of the best CAVIAR. Dear

[dragonfly3691]

the painting of the woman is beautiful!

[pestyy]

Love you Paul

[jasamkrafen]

holy shit!  NIce

[TheTollundMan]

Any biases as a Clash fan aside, Paul's an amazing painter.

[firehehe]

I completely agree with you. Those images are stunning.

[ronaldsparkle]

that is a bit of a symbolic painting at 3:10 innit?

[thegoodusernameman]

His art is amazing I gotta say chap's a legend!

[stacyblue1980]

Im amazed as well. Had no idea he's THIS good. The man is blessed. Fantastic bass player AND a fantastic painter.

[clapton1958]

He's not so much a fantastic bass player, just an interesting and unique bass player. However, I've got to say, I think his artwork is fantastic - I went to see it on Bond Street in London. Amazing stuff.

[stacyblue1980]

Cool. Lucky you. Wish I could see his work.

As for his bass playing...yeah he is a unique player. He's not Jack Bruce but he's good. I just love the Clash so much so, you know?

[clapton1958]

Paul's playing is quite forceful, like Jack's - and yeah, I love the Clash loads too, just about my favourite band of all time. Hard to say though, you know?

[stacyblue1980]

Yeah now that u mention it it IS forceful...like Jack's. Hehe. cool. Yeah hard 2 say who my favorite band is too but there really isnt much that I love as much as the Clash....besides the MUST love stuff like Dylan or Rory Gallagher or somebody....man...this has got me thinkin..hehe!

[hopeyfan]

What a wonderful work! I knew he was a painter,but, wow! It's awesome!