Things are about to get very hot in Walthamstow when Grillstock London kicks off there for the first time this weekend.

The flames are being stocked, the acts are warming up and organisers are keeping their fingers crossed for sunshine.

Dozens of BBQ teams will be lighting their coals and grilling the heck out of chicken, ribs, brisket and more in in a smouldering US style low 'n' slow BBQ competition, hoping to impress judge and meat legend Ray Lampe and be named King of the Grill and win the chance to compete in the World Food Championships in Las Vegas.

There will also be hotdog and chilli eating competitions and a host of food stalls and beers stands to visit.

A huge line-up of musicians are also being prepped to provide food for your soul with New York band Fun Lovin' Criminals lined up to headline the music stage on Saturday.

We caught up with fiery frontman Huey Morgan, who these days lives in Somerset and presents a music show on BBC Radio 6, to give him a grilling ahead of the event.

What can the crowds at Grillstock expect from your performance?

The unexpected. Every show we play is different, because every vibe is different. But the good people at Grillstock can rest assured that we will play ‘for’ them and not ‘at’ them which is unfortunately all too common nowadays.

Will you be playing any new music?

Not this time around, but we are working on new stuff for a 20th anniversary release next year.

Are you a meat lover?

Jeah!

Favourite dish?

A big one!

Have you been to Walthamstow before?

Most likely, yes.

Why did you decided to do the 20th anniversary Come Find Yourself tour?

Because of our fans. They asked us to come and play for them and that’s what we do; no brainer.

Was its success here the reason you ended up living in the UK?

No.

What’s life like in Frome?

Nice and quiet.

What do you like about living here as opposed to the States?

It’s apples and oranges really- NYC is 24/7 and sometimes I like to mix that up with some country living.

What was your childhood like?

F****d up.

What are your earliest memories of music?

Ray Charles’ What’d I say album.

First album you ever bought?

Earth, Wind and Fire’s greatest hits volume 2.

Why did you fall in to crime?

Boredom really. I wasn’t challenged enough at school, so I found it on the streets.

How did becoming a marine change you?

You really don’t want to know about that.

When did you know music was what you wanted to do?

When I was a U.S. Marine.

Wildest time you had on tour?

The last 20 years was pretty wild as I think about it.

Who are your heroes?

I don’t have heroes, but I really admired Joe Strummer. And after meeting him and becoming his friend, I found that all the bulls**t that surrounds a successful band is just that. He showed me that I didn’t have to buy in to that; I could be myself and that was cool. His influence on me as a person and an artist is still something that resonates in me today.

Tell me about your book Rebel Heroes…?

Rebel Heroes is a book about people who made music without caring what or how others perceived them, a history lesson for the new jacks that don’t dare step over the line. It’s a call to arms for all the creative souls that see the ‘biz’ as a 1 dimensional talent show and want to say something real.

Are you a rebel?

F**k yeah!

Have you been on a panel show since your infamous Buzzcocks mug smashing?

Have I been reduced to that? Really?

Do you like stirring up controversy?

I speak my mind and call suckers out on their bulls**t. Always have and always will.

You’ve called Kanye the Sid Vicious of our time- but do you like his music?

No. Kanye is a waste of space and my comparison to Sid was not in any way complimentary.

Would you vote for him if his presidential bid actually happened?

You are f***ing annoying me now.

Who are the coolest people in the music industry?

The ones who don’t consider themselves cool.

How is the music industry different now to when Fun Lovin’ Criminals were at the peak of their fame?

There is no money in it now. Bands now get signed to a 360 deal where the labels- who have manipulated the UK charts to the extent that five listens on a streaming site counts as a ‘buy’- take money from the artists not only for ‘sales’, but touring, merchandise and the music publishing. And that is f***ed up.

How do you feel when you hear Scooby Snacks playing?

I feel very good.

Did you ever have a career plan?

No.

What’s important to you?

My family and my friends.

Best advice you were ever given?

If you can’t eat it, don’t f**k it.

 

The full line-up is:

SATURDAY

Fun Lovin' Criminals

Cuban Brothers

Grandmaster Flash

Levi Roots

DJ Yoda

Treetop Flyers

John Fairhurst

Hyena

Tail Feather

Big Joe Bone

SUNDAY

Razorlight

Hayseed Dixie

King Charles

The Computers

Dolomite Minor

Heymoonshaker

Johnny Borrell & Zazou

Big Joe Bone

Grillstock London will be held at Chestnuts Field, Walthamstow on Saturday, September 5, 11am to 10.30pm, and Sunday, September 6, 11am to 7pm. Details: grillstock.co.uk