19th April 1999
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What the hell's "a breath of a juiced up
holy roller," as mentioned in Caffeine Bomb? Just
wondering.
Kev and Cheryl
Good question! I always thought that alcohol on your breath smelled worse when you weren't supposed to drink, like when you're a kid. So I figured that the worst place you could smell alcohol on an adult would be on the breath of a priest. Y'know, the sanctity of the church, etc. And 'holy roller' is just a cooler way of saying priest. (It also sounds nice!) Have you got any more mental questions?
I noticed in Kerrang! that you had a new tattoo on
your left arm. What do these symbols mean?
Twiggy
The tattoo says "Truth, Courage, Life and the Path". All ancient Chinese characters pertaining to the soul.
Over the years you've used some way bizarre
recording techniques, tools and instruments. What's the most outrageous
instrument or tool that you have ever used to record?
Gaar
Probably a one take 'orchestra' featuring a table tennis table, step ladder, hammers, pipe, pans, pots, a water machine and some other unlikely instruments, on Schitzophonic.
I play guitar and record, and when doing so, I
believe in 'the take' - ie, no overdubs where possible. What's your
attitude to recording in this sense? Are you a 'one take' man or is it
a case of 'whatever it takes to get a song recorded right'?
Gaar
Everything I ever record is done in one or two takes. I have a hopelessly short attention span / boredom threshold and I also think that if you can play, then why do you need to do it over and over to get 'feeling'? Just chuck it down and give it some bollocks.
I'm very interested in UFOs after talking about
them and having experiences. Therefore when I heard Sky Babies I could relate
to a lot of its content. Have you had any UFO experiences? Do you think we will
have 'contact' in the next few years? And have you attended any formal
'sky watches'?
Gaar
Yes, I've had a few experiences myself and also saw weird lights in the sky which I'm never in a hurry to dismiss as UFOs. Being a believer, I'm probably more skeptical than someone who isn't. I think the UFO 'I believe' club runs the risk of breaking into two factions - the quasi-religious sect, desperate for something to follow, therefore believing any half-arsed theory (normally found wearing anoraks, national health glasses and hanging around in tents sharing cheese sandwiches and Bovril from a flask), and the new age of Aquarius hippy-type that swears aliens are benevolent brethren from another world. If there is anything going on up there, you can bet that you don't matter at all to its agenda, and its only interest in us is probably more of a comedic one.
Are you still mates with Willie Dowling? And if so,
do you plan to work with him again? Also, any plans to work with Tyla?
Andrew Rothwell
Yes, I'm still friends with Willie, and we've been threatening to do something together since we met ten years ago. Why not ask him about us working together? If there is already interest from the fans then maybe that will push us into a studio together. I have no plans to work with Tyla.
Being a huge fan of Endless, Nameless, I'm interested in how you did several things with this album:
a) How on earth did you produce it so that the songs are fantastically melodic and audible, but the distortion seems to warp time (ie, Urge?)
b) How many channels / mixing desks did you damage when recording Why You Lie?
c) Can you please explain to me what the killer
guitar riff to Junkenstein is?
Gaar
a) That album was a lot more clever than people give it credit for. The production is a result of pulling things down rather than turning them up. More on top of way too much.
b) None, but we destroyed a few when mixing, and usually used the fucked up tracks to get some of the more over-the-top guitar sounds.
c) Dunno what you mean by "what is it?"
What style is your new album heading to? Is it
still gonna be rock / heavy or will you add a more orchestrated sound like that
heard on Devin's Infinity?
Ben
The new album is going to be real noisy pop, with big guitars and even bigger hits (at least that's what it says on paper). But it's definitely going to be more heavy rock than orchestrated. I think that whole 'strings on the big ballad' shit is pretty old now. Yawn...
I am a huge fan of yours living in Philadelphia,
USA. I have almost everything you recorded that I can get my hands on. You are
an incredible musician and one of the best songwriters of all time. My question
is this: are there any songwriters or bands in the last five or ten years that
you admire? Also, have you ever heard D Generation? If so, what do you
think?
Johnny Five
Yeah, in the last five years there was still Frank Zappa and Kurt Cobain, and now you've got Willie (Honeycrack, SugarPlumFairies) and of course Devin Townsend. Maria McKee is great. So is Paul Westerberg and Bob Mould. And I'm sure I'll think of some more in a minute so ask me again! Never heard much of D Generation, but I saw them at CBGB's a few years ago and they were crushing, so I'd like to hear if they sound that pummeling on disc.
Given the raging debates that have appeared on the
subject of Endless, Nameless, it seems that it's an album either totally
loved or totally hated by people. In a recent interview you were quoted as
saying that "as a swan song" you did not think much of it. Are you
aware of the huge amount of fans that album has?
Gaar
No, usually the only letters I get about that album are from people who hate it. It pays to be in a bad mood to fully appreciate that album. But I don't hate it and it's probably going to last the test of time better than the rest. It's just that for me, it's a pretty hard album to listen to for personal reasons.
If I was going to buy a Replacements album, which
one would you recommend? Have you heard the new Paul Westerberg album? It's
cool. Go buy.
James Smythe
Well, the first one I got was called Tim, but there's a good compilation called (I think) All Or Nothing. It's got a ship on the cover anyway.
I used to like The Replacements for their fusion of pop with 'fuck-you' punk attitude, but Paul's solo stuff is a bit too slow for me. I'm not a big fan of 'songwriters' in general, and he would probably think I'm a bit of a dick too.
I recently found out on the Net (in an online CD
store), that there is another band called Wildhearts. Have you ever listened to
their songs? If so, did you like them? Should I get their albums?
Junko Kusomoto
No, I've never heard of another Wildhearts. We have copyright to the name, but I really couldn't give a fuck.
Which bands currently playing in Europe and Japan
do you think are good rock n roll bands that have not been received here in the
United States. It seems that record companies here don't push young rocking
acts. Instead we get 40 reunion tours from bands that were good in
1982.
Jeff
For good R'n'R look no further than The Yo-Yo's and Groop Dogdrill. And you also got Backyard Babies and Hellacopters. If you get a chance to see Jason and the Scorchers then do. Asian Dub Foundation also rock.
What happened to the Japanese EP that you were releasing? According to my sources this has been scrapped. Danny Nosediver
There was no Japanese EP. The only thing that people have seen is a catalogue number in a magazine that has been established to save time when the album comes out. But please let me know what exactly you've seen as this is starting to intrigue me now.
I love your music man! What's your favorite
Kiss album? Have you ever heard the Galactic Cowboys? They're
great!
Sam Weller
My favourite Kiss album is Hotter Than Hell (apart from Alive I & II, of course), because even though it's a real rock n' roll album, some of the songs are very dark ( "I'm 93, you're 16, and I think I'm going blind"). And aside from Ace looking a bit of a goon, the cover shot is the best photo of Kiss ever. And, no I've never had a chance to hear Galactic Cowboys, but I got a cool email from one of 'em recently, so I'm on the hunt for some freebies.
I am one of a devote few American Wildhearts
fanatics (in fact, you may / may not remember, but I was the one who sent you
20 pounds pleading for any Wildhearts stuff you could sacrifice, and in return
you graciously sent me an autographed poster and a T-shirt. I still owe you one
for that). Now, since there is shit in the way of true rock 'n' roll
here in the States, I'm wondering if, when you release your solo project,
you plan on making the release available in the US, and whether you're
going to (fingers crossed) tour over here as well. I think you could conquer
all 50 states with just one single and a tour. Do you have any plans in this
respect?
Brian 2E
Yes, I remember you, I carried that poster around for days. 50 states off one single sounds like a good idea. I'd be happy to take up the challenge when the album gets an American release.
Seeing you've got so many songs written is
there any chance you can bung my band a couple?
Tim
Send you a couple of songs? Lazy bastard. Write yer own.
Have you any idea of what Snake is up to these
days?
Tim
No. Last I heard he was living it up in Ibiza and having a bit too much fun.
Is Devin as lovable a loony as he seems?
Tim
Even more so.
What microphones do you use, and can you recommend
any?
Tim
What sort of question is that?! Whatever one is standing in the middle of the stage when I walk on.
How the hell do you get all the words out to
Caffeine Bomb when you do it live? I tried to cover it but I just couldn't
keep up!
Tim
Stuff like that is easy when you write your own songs (you should give it a try), 'cos no-one knows you're making it up.
I have what I think is a very rare 12'' of
Turning American. I can find no info on it or anything. Can you help? (If
it's any help, it was given to me by a mate, and it's the same track on
both sides - the original Mondo Akimbo... version)
Sparx
Dunno what you've got there, mate, but it sounds like it could be worth a few quid. If you keep a hold of it then it 'll get more valuable, and if I need to borrow some cash I know where you live.
I have to say that The Wildhearts are the band who
changed my idea of rock. I got a band of my own, it's called Against it
All... I saw you at the Ilosaarirock festival in 1997. Your gig ended in a big
riot, and we all sang I Wanna Go Where The People Go. Remember? Then I realised
that I had a backstage pass, because we played on that same stage earlier that
day. So I came back and saw those police officers... But I got Ritch's
drumsticks. I also hugged Danny. (I don't normally act like a crazy, but it
was so cool when you played at that festival!)
Jani Haimakainen
I don't remember most of that day due to the amount of alcohol we had, so I'd appreciate it if you could send me some details of what happened and how it all started. But from what I can remember it was a fun day.
What exactly was your involvement in the Quireboys
and The Throbs? How long were you with them? Did you write any
songs?
Matthew George
I was basically a hired hand (that's like a 'yes man' that says no a lot). Both bands didn't want me to write for them (or indeed even listen to anything I'd wrote) as they were convinced I'd be crap. Funny that I'm the only one who still has a record deal out of all of us!
Do you know what the fuck's going on with Ricky Warwick and The Almighty? I don't know if you still see him, or even give a shit, but it'd be nice to know. You could tour together! Alistair
The last I heard, Ricky had reformed the Almighty and they were recording an album together. I hope it goes well as I like the guys a lot, and Ricky deserves to do well.
I've tried to find some live video material of
The Wildhearts, but I've not found it. Have you done any live
video?
Heikki Siponen
The best way to get live videos and not get ripped off is to find someone from Japan (maybe through this web site), as they have the best selection of live bootlegs in the world. Some good, some shockingly awful. Watch out.
The Wildhearts' stuff was my soundtrack to the
Nineties. I'll be off travelling in September - Asia then South America, I
think, for a couple of years... see life and all that. Any chance of you
releasing this album before then? Or is there there anyone I can get a dodgy
taped copy off, so I have something to listen to when I'm in the middle of
nowhere?
Nelly
OK, deal. Anyone who can prove that they are going travelling for the next few years can get advanced copies of some material before they go. Nothing broadens your mind like travelling and if everyone got off their arse and did something with their life people wouldn't be such babies. Good on you, have a wonderful time and maybe I'll bump into you somewhere.
You've talked about releasing some old
Wildhearts rarities through this web site. A couple of weeks ago a friend of
mine played me a track called Push, and I have to say, it blew me away like the
first time I heard Turning American. Do you have the rights to this track?
Would you consider mixing it properly and releasing it? It has to be one of the
best unheard Wildhearts tracks ever. Also, do you have the rights to Endless,
Nameless? And if so, would you ever consider remixing the album and releasing
it? The album has some classic songs but with all the fuzz it's not the
easiest album in the world to listen to.
Mark
I'd love to do a remix of Push, but it belongs to Mushroom records so you'll have to ask them. It would be impossible to remix Endless, Nameless because all the sounds went to tape sounding like that! One day you will wake up in a shit mood and it will sound perfect to you.
I wanted to ask you what you think of this resurgence of 'junk rock' (a term coined by Kerrang! - I didn't even know that was a genre!). I never thought that glamorous, sleazy music ever went away, it was just overshadowed by grunge. (Kate Turgoose
'Junk rock'??? Jesus, these journalists are getting really desperate for original ideas. Since the dawn of the pop charts, bands have been rocking against dull music. When we started out, dull music was called 'grunge', and tomorrow boredom will have a new name invented by bored journos. Just ignore the tag and dance.
If EastWest had released In Lilly's Garden as a
single, do you think The Wildhearts would have reached a broader market and
achieved a bigger fan base? And would this have changed the musical direction
the band eventually took?
Steve
I think (actually, I know) that if EastWest had released In Lilly's Garden, it would have broadened our appeal and pushed the band into territories that the record company wanted us to be in in the first place. Record companies never know how to act on instinct and I have it on good authority that EastWest actually told people that they didn't like the band. So what chance did we have anyway? And as far as changing the musical direction - yes .It would have changed the direction from down to up!!!
Once upon a time, I had a rock band. I was the
talentless, egotistical one (yeah, you guessed it - vocalist), but things ended
when the majority of the band lost interest in what we were doing. A year after
the split, I've had five possible record and / or promotion companies
showing an interest in our stuff (bloody typical). Now though, after doing some
acoustic solo(ish) gigs with a session guitarist (covers unfortunately),
I've been invited to submit some stuff to CBS records (UK) showcasing my
so-called 'vocal talents', which some talent scout described as "a
strong and original vocal style." The thing is, although I'm still
working on original stuff I haven't got anything good enough for
submission, and I don't want to end up on somebody's books as a singer
who can be tailored the way a record company wants. I feel almost lost without
a band, but I want to try and grab this CBS thing with both hands. What do I
do?
NiG
The thing not to do is worry. In this business, there is no guarantee that any record company will do you any favours, so before you sign anything make sure that your happiness is sorted out. If you want to be in a band then for God's sake be in a band, otherwise you could be wasting valuable time being pushed as a puppet when you could be looking for good musicians. Sometimes you have to push and demand things that no one around you can even understand. Just remember, you have a long time left on this planet. All you can do today is make sure tomorrow is going to be good.
If you could go back in time and make a video for
one of The Wildhearts' songs, which song would it be and what would the
video be like?
John
Sinclair
It would be the original video for Splattermania that the record company turned down. It featured a lot of horror stars that have unfortunately passed on, so it would obviously be impossible to do now. It was also going to tour the cinemas with Hellraiser III. Don't even ask why they turned it down. Your guess is as good as mine.
How do you go about writing songs? I always get
stuck after I've found a riff or a chord sequence and can't seem to
develop a song further. And don't even start about lyrics... I'm
hopeless at lyrics.
John
Sinclair
Ah dinnae ken, they just come. And not always either. If you're having trouble with lyrics then you need more experiences. Get some cash saved up and get on a plane.
Can my band have a support slot with you sometime
if I ever manage to write some decent songs (we'll play for
free)?
John Sinclair
Let's hear your band before we draft up any contracts.
Do you have any brothers?
Fumi
No.
Where and when did you first learn
guitar?
Fumi
Newcastle, after seeing Kiss on TV and watching Slade live. I noticed how ugly guys in bands are somehow attractive to women. Later, unfortunately, I found out that this only applies to stupid women.
One of my favourite songs is Church Of The Broken
Hearted. I have to say this particular song hits a very powerful chord with me.
I was wondering was if there are / were any plans to properly record and
release it as a single or on an album.
Mark Evans
I don't know what will happen to that song yet, but I'm sure that it will one day see the light of day. Some songs don't make sense one year, then make complete sense the next.
In The Song Formally Known As?, there's a line
that says, "I wanna know why Germans ain't funny." Or does it say
"I wanna know why chairmen ain't funny?" If the line says
Germans, I'm sorry, but I have to tell you that they are. And there's
lots of Wildhearts fans over here!
Sven
The line is "Germans..." as the song was written by about eight or nine people who all got to pick a line each and then sing it themselves.
In the intro to I Wanna Go Where The People Go, you
have two breaks. Where did you get the idea for these?
Sven
The break is an old trick that crap punk bands used to do. It always sounded good live.
What's the biggest influence on your
songwriting?
Sven
My biggest influence is loneliness and frustration, the two stable ingredients in most art throughout history.
Do you think that drugs are now boring in the rock
world? Drugs have always been there and has never died out, yet everything else
seems to chop and change...
Matt
Maher
I think that when music is bad, then drugs are mentioned more (ie, Marilyn Manson, and some would say The Wildhearts). This gives lazy journalists something to write about. It's interesting that songs are the least mentioned subject in interviews, as it's more fun for journalists to do the band's drugs than listen to the band's music. Most musicians I know take far less drugs than their fans do. Reliance on narcotics is usually a direct result of boredom, and lets face it, as long as music is governed by corporate leeches getting fat and lazy from the cream this doesn't look likely to change.
