BEEN INSPIRED BY THE JAMES BOND ICON
web
desert pirates, as they were known, although unfortunately through the years they are more like the Taliban. he sees things one way and I see them slightly differently, a few things that got left out, but mostly, yeah, I recognise myself. It was how he sees me and you know there’s not really any wrong or right about that and that was fine. It was very well done.”
Van Zandt was in the E Street Band first time round between 1975 until 1984 and returned properly in 1999.
In between, he pursued a solo career which included organising 1985’s Sun City – a star- studded project which protested against apartheid in South Africa – and sometime project Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul.
The band’s new album, Soulfire, is the first in 15 years and their tour is the first in 25 years.
He said: “I have no good excuse but I got a bit sidetracked with acting. It was a whole new craft to learn and it was quite exciting. From The Sopranos to Lilyhammer, one craft became multiple crafts. I ended up co- producing Li lyhammer, co-writing it, doing all the music and I directed the last episode.
“One thing led to another and, before you know it, 20 years go by.”
His acting career remains important to him and Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello has stood in for him with Springsteen.
He wants to create a new TV show and his plan is very much to continue with both.
He said: “I want to do TV in the winter and every summer tour with either Bruce or by myself. That’s the plan anyway but you know how plans have a way of not working out.”
Having been political for his entire career – he is not a fan of Donald Trump – Soulfire and the UK tour are only looking to entertain.
He said: “In the old days, it was all
“The political atmosphere now is wall to wall – you can’t get away from it.
“I felt, in a funny way, quite liberated. We need a little bit of a sanctuary from it right now and that’s what the live show is all about, too.
“We’re this big 15- piece band and we are able to transport people away from the confusion and frustration and craziness for two hours and hopefully people leave with inspiration.”
Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul play the Glasgow O2 Academy on November 12. They are touring the UK throughout November. See aegpresents.co.uk for tickets.