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Interview With The Legendary Jimi McMaster

Back in 2014, the world got to hear the music of a band that rose in popularity so fast, that the world couldn’t get enough of them. Polar Blaze played to sell out stadiums and are second only to The Beatles with record sales. Today I got to speak to someone who was to make his name as their legendary drummer: Jimi McMaster.

Jimi was an integral part of the band Polar Blaze and in 2016 was named Rock Musician of the Year. The following year, he was voted one of the top five most desirable men in the world. His face has appeared on magazine covers and social media pages, but Polar Blaze seems to have slipped from the music scene in the last 18 months, so I’m thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the somewhat notorious Jimi McMaster.

CB: Jimi, thank you for agreeing to this interview. I know there are a lot of fans wondering where you’ve gone and what you’re doing these days.

JM: Fans. Gotta love their dedication. I’m still here, guys. Still drumming.

CB: Great news and reassuring. Let’s start at the beginning. You seem to have been playing for as long as I can remember. How old were you when you first got into music?

JM: Shit… I think I was 10 or 11. I remember it was my birthday and my old man gave me a drum kit. I don’t think it was because I showed an aptitude for any musical instrument, or drumming—although I spent every waking hour plugged into music. No, I think it was because he and mom were going through a rough patch at the time. It was just one argument after another, which on reflection was probably why I was always listening to music—try and drown out the sound of them yelling at each other. Anyway, they were on the verge of splitting and I think dad wanted to piss her off. He gave my brother a guitar too.

It kind of backfired a bit, because when they did split, about six months later, I’d got attached to that kit and every time we got sent to his place during holidays, I took my kit with me and my brother took his guitar. Looking back, mom probably thought it was damned funny. I’m sure the old man thought we weren’t up to much, that we’d never play in a band. My brother eventually gave up playing. He spent all his time surfing, and his guitar playing was limited to rowdy campfire songs when he was drunk. [Laughter] He played okay, but he had a bloody awful singing voice, which didn’t matter if you were stoned or pissed, but sober—that was a definite turnoff.

CB: It’s hard to believe that you weren’t musical. It seems you can pick up and play any instrument. I saw a video of you playing a keyboard not long ago. You’re a natural. How many other instruments can you play?

JB: Yeah. I picked up the bass guitar and keyboard, but drums were my thing. When I went to college, I joined a school band, but I didn’t stay at school long enough to make a proper go of it. I joined a couple of bands, nothing too serious. I got a job in a burger joint during the day and played gigs at night. Didn’t make much, and what I did make I blew on weed. I can’t ever remember not being in a band.

CB: So, when did you join Polar Blaze?

JM: I think it was at the end of 2010. I met Stretch and Ray. We used to jam back then. The following year, Julian found us and told us he was putting a band together to back a singer he was managing. The rest in history, as they say. It was my first serious crack at making it as a drummer, you know, I wanted people to take me seriously and that’s when it happened.

CB: We have heard little about Polar Blaze lately. I’ve heard rumours that the band split up? Is there any truth in that?

JM: [laughter] Nah, we haven’t split or anything. We’re just taking a break. We’ve given ourselves twelve months off to get our energy back, take a break from the constant touring—you know. We were spending a lot of time on the road. And it doesn’t help we’re based in different countries now. But I’ve been doing a bit of drumming for a local band and teaching kids. Love teaching the little sluggers. Their enthusiasm is fucking contagious. I think Mac’s been writing new material and just resting up. When we get back together, we want to work on pushing out some new singles and then an album.

CB: I heard you were living in Paris nowadays. Is France your permanent home?

JM: No. I gotta a place in Guildford, out of London and a place in California. My ex, Amélie

has an apartment in Paris and I used to spend my time flying between California and Paris and London. The odd trip to New Zealand. I didn’t mind Paris, but California is in my blood, you know.

CB: I didn’t know you got married. I must have missed that. Sorry to hear you’re not together.

JM: Yeah. Amélie and I have a couple of kids. They’re great, and I miss them. I stay with Amélie sometimes. If she’s not with anyone, we hook up. We have history; you know. I think she’s seeing someone at the moment, though—doubt it’ll last. I, ah, slept with a chick in Tokyo. Stupid thing to do. I was pissed, and I did something I shouldn’t have. Everyone had a fucking phone, and a photo got back to her. She gave me an ultimatum, and I toed the line. Honestly, I did. But it was hard, you know. Everywhere we went, we had girls throwing themselves at us. She became suspicious of everyone I talked to who was wearing a skirt.

CB: So, where do you spend the most time?

JM: I love London, but, you know, the weather’s shit, it’s wet and cold or they’re having a freakin’ heat wave. I’m thinking of selling the house in Guilford. If I’m over there, I can bunk down anywhere. Amélie has her family—mother, sisters, nieces and nephews in France. She won’t leave there. She came with me on a couple of tours, but not since she had the kids. So I fly back and spend time with them as much as I can.

CB: That must be hard on you?

JM: Yeah. But it is what it is, that’s the lifestyle. I miss the kids. I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot while I was away. First steps, first words, first tooth. But I’ll live. We video now and then when I’m away and she sends me photos. It’s not the same, though, you know?

CB: I can imagine.I never knew you had kids? I feel like I should’ve known that too. Does this mean you’ve left the wild days behind?

JM: Shit yeah. I’m a fucking family man now. [Laughter] Some of the time. Jean is almost five and Louis is seven now. We try to keep the kids out of the press. Occasionally, Amélie or I are in the papers in Paris, or the celebrity pages in LA. But we both want the kids to have a normal life. Another reason I don’t come to Paris that often. I always have a photographer ten paces behind me. It shits me off most of the time. When Polar Blaze is touring or playing a gig some place, you expect it, but nowadays I like to keep my private life private; you know.

CB: GQ Quarterly named you as the fifth most desired man in the world in 2017. How did that feel?

JM: Shit man, that was random. I think it’s all fucking smoke and mirrors. Who are these voters? I mean, come on. Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, and me? I wonder who got a payoff on that one.

CB: How’s Mac? Have you seen much of her during your break?

JM: We’ve talked over the phone a few times in London, but she and Alec went over to that island in the Pacific for about a month and then Mac was staying at the farm for a while. I don’t know what’s going on with them, but I had the feeling they’ve got problems of their own to sort.

CB: I liked Alec. I think he was perfect for her. Actually, didn’t you have a crush on Mac?

JM: Fuck yeah. Everyone had a crush on her. Everyone wanted her. I think the only one who wasn’t interested was Julian. He was happily married, and not interested. I think her not hooking up with anyone made her more desirable. It pushed sales up and sold tickets. And she knew it. We all did.

CB: So when can we expect to hear more from Polar Blaze?

JM: Well, we’ll get together in London and start work on the new songs. Then by the time we’ve got enough material for an album, we’ll start touring again and promoting its release. I guess I’ll go see the kids for a couple of weeks on my way to London. See what Amélie’s up to.

CB: Something tells me you still love her.

JM: Yeah. I do. Think I always will. Who knows? One of these days, we might end up together. Or maybe not.

CB: On that note, I’d like to thank you for talking to me today, Jimi. It’s been reassuring to know Polar Blaze is still working behind the scenes and there are more songs to come.

JM: And more tours.

CB: There will be a lot of fans thrilled to hear it. Good luck for the future and until next time!