Hi Duncan, its 2013 and here we are with your first solo album, LITTLE BIG HEAD. Could you tell us how you got started on this record?

I guess you could say I got started when I was born as my whole life has been leading up to this record! I always wanted to be in a band and to make and write great records. I was lucky enough to fulfill part of that at a young age with The Boys but I was never really a writer even though I had the odd credit on those records. Then, goodness knows why, something clicked and songs started flowing. I think there were two main reasons. First I stopped worrying about it and just wrote for myself and second I had a few miles under the bonnet. Experiences give you something to write about.

The other key element was meeting Tony Barber (ex Buzzcocks, Chelsea etc). He'd converted a shed in his garden into a ramshackle studio. We just hit it off and now I couldn't imagine recording any other way than in Tony's shed in the middle of nowhere. Tony made the record possible by giving me the time, resources and benefit of his huge talent. The last key element was Vom Ritchie who drummed on the record. Without him I would never have had the confidence to make it as he was always telling me how great the songs were when I sent him demos.

You are currently on tour, can you tell us a bit about your live band, and how you found everyone?

It's a great young band. I originally found Alex, who plays guitar and keys, drumming with SpizzEnergi in a Bowie tribute band. He auditioned as drummer for The Boys and played with them after I left! Alex got me playing live again by asking me to play at an unplugged night he put on. Anna was Vom Ritchie's old housemate who I knew from Dusseldorf and Tom is a mate of Alex.

A lot of our readers will know you from your past as a Member of The Boys,and indeed The Yobs. Are these bands something you are proud of, and do you still perform any of their songs in your live set?

You bet to both questions. I am so proud to have been in a great band like The Boys. Who wouldn't be proud to have sung on a record like First Time? That band had such great writers, musicians and singers. I learned everything I know from them and they are my greatest influence. You can hear that on my record.

As I said before, I wasn't a big writer for The Boys. My big contribution was as live front man. Although I was lead singer on about half the set I was the guy up front bouncing around connecting with the audience. We made a world class team on our day.

My favorite track on the new album, is a track called THE ONE. and like many songs on the album, has a big chorus, lots of Ramones type Beach Boys esque feeling. Was this a conscious thing you added or just how the songs came out?

I guess my ideal band would be a cross between The Beach Boys and The Ramones so it's not surprising that's how it came out. Short songs with great hooks, driving guitar and drums, millions of harmonies and the odd slow one for variety. Now what else do you want on a record?

Where does your inspiration for your songs come from, and has your writing style changed over the years?

Musically the inspiration comes from The Boys and all the other great bands I love, from The Beatles and Stones through glam rock to Punk and beyond. The lyrics come from my life and everything which has happened to me or I have experienced. My writing style has changed in that I've actually learned how to do it!

Who are your biggest Musical Influences, and if you could play with any musician who would it be?

We've mentioned a lot already haven't we. 60's Bands, glam and punk. I've played with The Ramones when I sang backing vocals live on Baby I love You and Johnny Thunders joined The Boys on stage. That doesn't leave many. I think it would be cool to play in The Rolling Stones. I've heard it doesn't pay well though as Mick's a bit mean (allegedly!).

Who would you like to cover one of your songs, Which one and Why?

I would have loved to have heard any song off Little Big Head covered by Johnny Cash on one of his final "American" recordings. Such beautiful sparse arrangements. Plus he could have sung the phone book at that time and given it a baleful, "death's knocking on our door" meaning. It would be very different to my record.

How did you discover Punk Rock back in the 1970's and how did it impact your life back then? Who were your favorite bands from the time?

I think it's fair to say Punk discovered me in that it just happened around me as I went about my life. One week I'm hanging out in Matt Dangerfield's (guitarist/singer in The Boys) place with people like Billy Idol, Brian James and Mick Jones, the next we're all in different bands and it's all kicking off. It affected my life profoundly. Apart from 17 serious years in the middle bringing up a family and being responsible it's enabled me to behave like a teenager my entire life! The best bands back then didn't necessarily make the best records. Live, my favorite band was Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers.

What's next for Duncan Reid, and where can we get this excellent album from and find out more information on yourself and the Big Heads?

We carry on touring, we make another record and continue to cause explosions of joy wherever we play! Little Big Head is available digitally all round the world on ITunes etc. You can see videos on the YouTube channel. if you can't get a physical copy locally email me on duncan@littlebighead.co.uk and I'll send you a signed one. Everything about us ends up on the Duncan Reid and the Big Heads page so please "like" it!

Thanks for doing the interview, and we at Punk Globe wish you continued success with this brilliant album and look forward to more following.

Me too!