Psycho’sa big hit with Stranglers
WITH a fearsome look, which has shaken many a forward in the past, Stuart Pearce launches himself into a surprise video for punk godfathers The Stranglers.
The early walk through the rough streets of South London – filmed in black and white – is full of menace as he stars on the band’s clip for single This Song, off their new album Dark Matters.
The 59-year-old punk fan is seen scaling fences and walls in an attempt to evade his pursuers to the background of The Stranglers’ familiar throbbing bass and swirling keyboard sounds from a band he has watched countless times.
“When The Stranglers make you an offer, you can’t refuse, you can’t refuse!” admitted Pearce.
And it certainly makes a change for West Ham’s assistant boss from helping manager David Moyes prepare his squad for games.
And it is not as if Pearce has not got history when it comes to mixing with some of the greats from the punk era.
He once dragged current England boss Gareth Southgate on stage with him to welcome the Sex Pistols to London’s Finsbury Park for a comeback concert after they reformed in the 90s.
As a player at Nottingham Forest, Pearce would often arrange a minibus to take him and team-mates – including Sean Dyche, now Burnley’s manager and his assistant Ian Woan – to concerts.
Dyche was impressed with Pearce’s latest role as a video star.
“It’s a fantastic video and he looks the part, menacing and uncompromising.
“I’ve seen The Stranglers a few times with Pearcey and really enjoyed them.”
His appearance in the video is also poignant, with keyboard player Dave Greenfield losing his life to Covid last year.
“I think the album is a fitting tribute to Dave and it was a real honour to be asked to appear on the video,” Pearce added.
“It’s a great song and represents the traditional music of the band which I’ve loved for years.
“When I was asked, there was a mixture of excitement and nerves. But there was no way I wasn’t going to do it.
“They are my all-time favourite band. I’ve always loved their menace and No More Heroes is one of my top tracks.”