My 2025: BP Fallon - "I believe in the ultimate goodness of man and womankind and fuck the begrudgers"

Your hero of 2025?
Michael D. Higgins. We are so blessed in Ireland to have had him be our president for the last 14 years. He’ll be a hard act to follow. The only president I know who has on the wall of his presidential office, an ace Colm Henry photo of Phil Lynott and Rory Gallagher jamming onstage at the Hot Press Punchestown gig in 1982. How groovy is that?! A beautiful gentleman and his wife Sabina is tres cool too.

Villains of 2025?
I’m not going to mention their names to give them any more profile. They know who these fuck-faces are and so do you and I.

Best personal moment?
People! Bobby Gillespie / David Holmes / Kevin Shields & Anna / Imelda May / Alison & Jamie of The Kills / John Sheahan of The Dubliners / Josh McClory / Barney Fixer & Barry Mixer / the magical Maryse & Lydia / Alfie Fury.

And singing ‘Pretty Vacant’ with its Sex Pistol writer, Glen Matlock, at Whelan’s with my BP Fallon & The Bandits drummer, Clem Burke of Blondie, who introduced me onstage. Maybe that was last year. I didn’t know that was the last time l’d be singing onstage with Clem behind me. I miss him like hell, but as Waylon sang, ‘If you wanna go to heaven, you got to D.I.E.’

Mind you, when (if?) it’s my turn, I’m going to have to have a word with God, and tell Him His design of humans is faulty. Why do so many of us older fuckers – and animals – start falling to bits, why does childbirth hurt, y’get the vibe. Maybe God will tell me to piss off, but I believe He’ll get the vibe too and do some remodelling.

Did someone mention models? I fell in lust with one of Pam Hogg’s models, but that’s another story. Pam, maybe you can now get God out of that white sheet He’s been wearing for centuries and dress Him in something more vibey. Culottes? Marc’s plastic breastplate? Jimi’s Crimea red Hussar jacket?

Best record?
Unhumbly, my next album.

Best movie or TV show?
Ken Burns’ superb series Country Music. ‘Country’ like the music in it is timely and timeless. And the flip side of Woodstock, Summer Of Soul about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival – black artists free at last, soulful, powerful, poignant and uplifting music LAMF. God, we’re so lucky to have Mavis Staples still among us.

Best Book?
More ‘me me me’ – the book of my life and times that I’m finally writing.

Best thing you saw online?
Mea culpa! The documental film of a tuney loony – BP Fallon Rock’n’Roll Wizard.

Your hope for next year?
Hope suggests it may not happen – I believe in the ultimate goodness of man and womankind and fuck the begrudgers.

What tickled your funny bone?
Charlie Chaplin, a God among men and women for all time.