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Well, don’t get annoyed by & opinion & he’s also right. Bloc party are wank. Nowhere near as interesting as they think they are.

I saw bloc party 3 times back in the day. Absolutely loved it. Good times

The funny thing about him talking about wanting to give his all when they go out on stage - he is one of the best drummers I’ve seen live and Kele is one of the worst vocalists I’ve seen live. Absolutely love his voice on the records, but when you see them live, it’s almost like he’s purposely trying to ruin the songs at certain points. Obviously I know that isn’t the case, but it’s not even riffing or improvising. It just sounds really bad.

just wondering… was he homeless here? flat broke? why was his hands so dirty? …is it for an image?

Woke

Absolutely INCREDIBLE Drummer! It was his drumming that were a bit part in my love of Silent Alarm. I started to lose interest as the Bloc Party sound became more electronic and more like dance music. I loved Matt's staggeringly rapid, manic drumming.

Amazing song

What a great interview! And I got to follow it up with an equally awesome interview with Russell! My memories of Bloc Party (speaking as a failed rock musician in early 2000's NZ) is them being part of an amazing wave of guitar music that appeared out of nowhere at the start of the 20'th century including Interpol, The Strokes, Kings of Leon and The Arctic Monkeys. As someone who had been into alternative and grunge in the 80's/90's and witnessed their death at the hand of the 'Corporate Rock' industry, it was super exciting to see it almost happen again! But then, as Matt says, Corporate Rock won in the end - but good music will never die, as really it was never about the money in the first place, it's mostly about not having to spend your life making some rich asshole even richer, and thanks to TH-cam I can discover wild Japanese shit like Maximum the Hormone at my leisure! Still, If Matt and Russell ever release something I'm all in - the guitar and drums was always what made Bloc Party so interesting.

Wow, just watched the Matt Tong interview, was wishing there was a Russell one and here it is! Looking forward to Kele and the mysterious 'Gordon'...

The Paddingtons had so many great songs. Kiss ‘n’ let go is still one my favourite songs

U wont get “ ai making all the music “ people want real personalities and stories behind the music .

He is maaaaarding out here xD

I only liked Silent Alarm. There's the odd song after that I like, but they generally veer too much into electronic noise for me. Banquet is peak Bloc Party for me.

I keep thinking the video is freezing.

I love that you made this video! I go back to watch this performance at least once a year and just stumbled upon your take. I was 15 at the time and a huge White Stripes fan. I was an active member of one of their fan forums and I remember there being a running thread on their grammy performance and what they would do. Someone reported what guitar Jack brought to play and we all speculated they would do some kind of medley based on what other songs he usually played on that specific guitar. It was such a fun time in those early days of the internet. There was no live grammys broadcast in my country so like you I had to download the performance the next day, it took hours! I was truly stunned, their energy was incredible. I already loved them, but this took it next level. I got to see them live for the first time in the summer of 2004 and the whole show was as amazing as this little grammys performance. I’m 36 now and clearly still a huge White Stripes fan. I got to see them live a couple of more times, and then Jack White with his other projects and solo too. I definitely cried when they broke up. I count myself lucky to have been a teen when they hit the scene and to have been able to see them perform as much as they did. Will always love them!

Kele loves poppers.

He’s one of my favourite drummers. It’s funny how brilliant drummers downplay themselves because they compare themselves to more technically apt ones

I thought it was because of his coke problem

is that Pat?

Really cool, Pete is such the real deal!!! think about how many songs he has written? Tunes? Etc. !!! Pure maverick and genius

Inspiring drummer to me. There’s a reason the first 2 albums are the best.

I saw this guy live twice. Amazing professionalism and ethos as a musician shines through here. I always thought Kele was a little too self absorbed. I have left bands for similat/the same reasons. You have to feel you are being creative or your just in for the life. I had nowehere near as much pressure to stay so this must have been really hard and long overdue but certainly the right decision.

Been aware of Kele's 'drugs' statement for many years, and it was only in recent weeks that I read that it wasn't actually aimed at anyone in the band. Instead it was someone 'around' the band. If Matt Tong has been slurried with the fallout from Kele's statement for all these years then I would say he should have had an apology a long long time ago.

Weird for someone who I think of as one of best and most distinctive drummers of all, to imply that he didn't think he was a competent enough drummer to join the band. But I suppose the previous drummers in the band paved the way for that distinctive velocity.

What happened to this film? I assume they have decided not to release it?

“Adesso di questo non so più niente ma è così che era (…) Londra nei primi anni quando eravamo molto poveri e molto felici”

The opening beat to Hunting for Witches is one of my favourites ever. Phenomenal drummer

Do these people know they can take their coats off indoors?

And now I can't get Dilly Boys out my head

Your voice is perfect ❤

Johnny ‘better than Bob Dylan’ Borrell. How’s that comeback coming along?!

People are insane and,.at their core, want something to complain about. They have no problem with synths, vocoders, autotune, etc but a piece of semi-AI art grabbed that reaction? lolok.

Once he left, the band never really recovered to the heights it once was tbh

Borrell and his planet sized ego 😂 he undoubtedly scored chart success but I bet he wishes he was adored the way Peter is. Peter just has that charisma and a certain sincerity. I remember some of great Borrell sulks around those early years, I don’t remember much of his music

Bloc party turned to shit once Matt left

This is really fascinating, especially the comment from JB. Great stuff, thank you.

That period for me was like living in the 60s compared to now! Lucky as fuck to have been there! Borrel nailed it. Even the Pete Camera thing..

He looks like the Doctor from Jam with long hair and a moustache.

I met Matt at an after show in a Liverpool bar 09/10. Got a pic, shook his hand and got to tell him he was one of my fave drummers. Really lovely gent and humble as anything.

Matt is so down to earth. I met him randomly in New York years ago and he was so polite and humble while I tried my best not to fan boy! He is my favourite drummer from the 00s indie bands. It's crazy to hear him talk down his technicality which goes to show when it comes to music technique can only take you so far.

Hi Gary Funny I met your mum and dad on Sunday You've made it! Doing what you love I used to listen to music with your dad. Foreigner and stuff All the best Colin

Yeah matt lovers you can hate me all you want, but louise is absolutely completely replacing matt role. They are very chill now. Louise give more consistent play, and an eye candy too. I know shes gey

One of the greatest drummers of modern time

Good interview. Not even a fan of Bloc Party, never was at school really (don't dislike em just never really listened). Dunno how or why this popped up but fine

The drumming on Silent Alarm is phenomenal - up there with Reni's on The Stone Roses debut.

Stop marding

I was wondering what happened to Bloc party,decent band.

Top man, great drummer! Love!

Amazing drummer

Dude played with a collapsed lung. Beast.