FORGET THE HAIRCUT. JUST HEAR THE QUALITY.
Evening Standard - May 1983

Matt Johnson is well aware that he does not look like a pop star. The charts may be full of people who look like St Tropez deckchair attendants, but he is keen to stick by his non-image.

‘I’d rather sell records on the quality of the work than the quality of the haircut.’

Apparently this is possible. Just 21, he has already released an album and two singles and has just bought a flat near Holborn with the £400,000 advance from his record company (CBS).

His records Uncertain Smile and its follow up Perfect, received critical acclaim from the music press (who are supposed to know about these things) but not enough radio play to make them hits.

But Matt does not mind. Why should he? He is working on a second album with musicians he respects, his street credibility and self respect are intact and he has financial security. I’ve always determined from the start that I am going to look after the business side of things. I’ve seen so many people mess it up.’

Matt’s parents are publicans and his first musical experience, apart from the tinkling of ice in gin and tonics, was knocking about on the equipment groups used to set up for live shows. He taught himself to play guitar, keyboards and drums but cannot read or write music.

His talent was not reflected in his academic career and he left his Ongar Comprehensive with not qualifications. After stints at an independent record company and an insurance firm he joined the dole queue for three years.

But it never felt like that because I was doing music with my group The The. I looked on it as an arts grant from the government.’

His friend and mentor is boss of Some Bizzare management company Stevo, whose maverick style of conducting business has been largely responsible for the success of Soft Cell. Stevo’s teddy accompanies him to top level meetings and when Matt negotiated his deal with CBS they made the director meet them at midnight in Trafalgar Square and sit on one of the lions.

The pair have successfully proved that it is possible to deflate the balloon of pomposity which surrounds some record company executives.

It is just a matter of having your head (or your haircut) screwed on the right way.