23 years after (graphically) pinning a safety pin through the Queen's lip to visually define punk, graphic artist Jamie Reid remains at the cutting edge of alternative and protest culture. Whether designing artwork for clubs or coming up with new posters for this year's Legalise Cannabis protest, he remains a man committed to his principles, though these days talks as much about spirituality as about anarchy. Mezz met up with the 40 something Druid at the Strongroom Studios, Hoxton, where the Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and Orbital have been three of many acts to be inspired by his work (he's designed the entire complex). Friendly, articulate and thoughtful, the Liverpool based Druid is enthusiastic about the changes he sees coming.

Jonty:
It's 10 years since you started working on the interior design for these Strongroom studios, what's been your approach?

Jamie Reid:
"Everything's been done for the moment - when there's been time and money available, we've done it room by room. The Strongroom itself is one of those extremely rare commissions where I've been told to do whatever I want. Richard, the owner, knew a lot of my other work in particular some large paintings connected with esoteric things, druidism and magic. This was an opportunity to take those ideas and put them into a working situation. There's astrology, symbolism and colour to help create the sound of music - and it's worked. The Strongroom is probably the biggest independent studio in Europe. Bands like Orbital, Chemical Brothers and the Prodigy have all worked here and gone on to bigger things."

Jonty:
Where did the Druidism come in?

Jamie Reid:
"My whole family for three generations has been heavily involved in Druidism - I blame my parents, basically. My work's probably better known for the political agit-prop stuff like the (Sex) Pistols but I've always believed that as much as political change is needed you need spiritual change as well; not just a revolution in politics but also a revolution in spirituality. Lots of great things have developed from doing these studios, this was how I got involved with Afro Celt (Sound System) for example."

Jonty:
You're designing this year's Legalise Cannabis posters, what approach will you be taking?

Jamie Reid:
"I haven't really started yet, I've already done some work with cannabis leaf imagery that I'm thinking of using, though it's still early days. What this issue is about to me is hypocrisy. Drugs, and hallucinogenic drugs in particular have always been so much of a part of art, music and painting and the hypocrisy is amazing. So many people are using them it's a joke."

Jonty:
Why do you believe such hypocrisy remains?

Jamie Reid:
"I don't think 'They' want people to be aware and drugs do open up your consciousness. It's that simple. Good quality cannabis, acid, whatever, makes people aware, which 'They' don't want. They want people to be subservient, buying the drugs they produce themselves, such as cigarettes and alcohol."

Jonty:
You're well known for your contributions to punk, what made the movement so significant?

Jamie Reid:
"It was perfect timing, with that first generation of kids coming out of school, particularly working class kids, who'd been given loads of promises but had nothing to do, whether jobs or opportunities. It was all about that do-it yourself fuck-all-that-fucking-corporate-glam- rock-shit that was going on in the music business. We did our own artwork, produced our own music and the whole thing was inspirational. Punk was also very tribal which was interesting and in its own way, quite pacifist. It wasn't about the icons such as the Pistols or the Clash, or whoever. I know from being a visual artist involved in campaigns such as the Criminal Justice Bill and the Poll Tax (protests) that's it's about a continuous story of protest. It's still going on with what's been going on in Seattle last year."

Jonty:
What goes through your head when you hear Malcolm McClaren claiming he came up with all of punk's ideas?

Jamie Reid:
"He's wrong because the most important people are always the punters -I know it's a cliché but it's about the people on the streets. Because that's where real life is and where all the real ideas always come from. He was just in a position to put the ideas out."

Jonty:
Primal Scream publicised one of their gigs with the catchphrase, 'Kill all hippies', what did you make of that?

Jamie Reid:
"That's sad. The thing about that time was that the hippy vibe back then had turned into the whole corporate thing. It was relevant then but not now. You've only got to see what's happening with Reclaim the Streets and the global protests, where hippy has merged into punk taking elements from both to see that it's moved on from all that shit. That's just sadly nostalgic."

Jonty:
How much have computers taken over your work in recent years?

Jamie Reid:
"I'm very funny about computer imagery, I still find it really synthetic and unreal. I think there's this danger that people can lose themselves in their own private world so nobody gets off their arse and does anything. It's interesting putting hand done stuff on a computer and working with it, though."

Jonty:
Your latest press release suggests it's a time to be 'brave and kindle the fires of hope', have they diminished in recent times?

Jamie Reid:
"I think for the whole of the 80s we inherited this massive cynicism and I think there's never been so much potential as now. For astrological reasons and loads of others, I believe we're going through massive changes. The climate's changing and not necessarily because of global warming. I believe in Gaia, with the earth being a living organism. And it only takes a slight shift in people's consciousness to make the world incredibly different. We don't live lives anywhere near our potentials. We probably utilise about 1% of our mental potential. Which goes back to hallucinogenics, which are a tool for your brain."

Jonty:
How fast do you expect society to change?

Jamie Reid:
"It's happening right now and the pace of change is quickening all the time, while the old order desperately tries to hold onto the reins."

Jonty:
What changes are you expecting?

Jamie Reid:
"Asteroid strikes, volcanoes, climate changes. Look at this country - the South of England is basically sinking, there's massive changes already happening and those kind of changes will also bring about consciousness changes. It's a different ballgame."