“It can definitely be a bit cringeworthy looking back at what a guy in his mid 20s has to say… however I do stand by most of it… but what I can’t stand by is that “hairdo” I sported in that era… more a “hair don’t”… hahaha.
The leather pants were very acceptable in the mid 1980s and I’m also rocking one of my Vietnam era tour jackets and my fave engineer boots which I wore every day. Back in 1982 I’d been really jealous of fellow Theatre of Hate bandmate Stan Stammers because one Mick Jones of The Clash had given him a pair and you couldn’t get them for love nor money anywhere in Europe at that time… only the States.
So, pretty much the first thing I did when The Cult got to America was snap up a pair in LA.
I finally let those original ones go in my memorabilia sale a few years back. Ironically that style boot has a ‘cult’ following in Japan and the ones I had were apparently very collectable (as well as appearing in the opening of the “Love Removal Machine” video) so they now live in Japan.
I do have other newer ones I wear on the motorbike from time to time (and also on tour around 2014/15) but to be honest these days they feel proper clunky and heavy to walk about in.”
Billy – April 2026