> 1 One of the most special and important bands is back! How is it to be on stage with the Monochrome Set Bid?
Very good. Always been a very professional band, and the new additions (Jennifer Denitto, drums, from Scarlet's Well) and John Paul Moran (keyboards) work extremely well. Everything is very comfortable- serious, but fun.
I feel relaxed on stage...and much of what I'd forgotten is coming back to me. A bit like King Theoden, but with tighter trousers.
> 2 You are coming back to Greece for the third time few days before your performance in one of the greatest festivals, the Primavera Festival in Spain. How do you feel about this?
Well, for me, the most important thing is to play to fans, and make new ones. Obviously, a big gig is nice, but ultimately it doesn't matter how big or small the gig is...
It's very exciting to play Primavera, as it will be the first time TMS have ever played Spain- and of course, it's a very famous festival. I hope that we can play other cities (Madrid, obviously) later.
With Piraeus...well, I love coming to Athens...
> 3 Your live concert in Sporting almost 30 years ago, is a very vivid memory for many people here...Do you remember the feeling of that night? The audience?
I don't really remember too much...just that it was a big place! Festivals can be impersonal things. I do remember that when they picked us up from the airport, it was in a very flashy coach, and when they took us back, in was in a small dirty truck, ha-ha.
> 4 I have always wanted to ask you about your relationship with Lester Square, two talented musicians in the same band... Tell us about this relationship
It has been of mutual benefit, and recognised as such by both of us...we influenced each other in songwriting and guitar playing. Most importantly, we never fell out...so many early line-ups split up, and often the bands' sound becomes less interesting as a result. Of course, I worked on Scarlet's Well and other projects, but it never distracted from the special nature of TMS.
> 5 Even though we are in 2011, we see many groups of the Monochrome set generation like the Wire, the Fall, Gang Of Four, to release fantastic new albums! Do you consider getting in the studio for a new album? Is there any chance?
Oh, yes...a month after coming out of hospital, I wrote some songs, and I've just gone back to them now. We'll look at them in the summer, and maybe record a new album at the end of the year.
> 6 If you could enter a time machine, to which Rock n Roll period would you like to go back to for 24 hours and why?
I'd like to go back to 1980, and tell myself not to leave my guitar in the boot of a car outside a Chinese restaurant (it was stolen).
I really don't know what the best for music was...somewhere between early 60s and early 80s. But I don't know if I want to actually experience those times again...
> 7 Do you agree that the sound of words is maybe more important than their meaning in a song? Have you really ever written something instinctively...something that does not appear to make sense but the words just got there in row?
Both are important, but the sound of words can carry many meanings...so there's the fundamental difference between lyrics and poetry.
I often write instinctively, and make sense of what I've written afterwards. But, imagery is usually involved- it's not just words. And the more words you know, the better your unconscious is at writing!
> 8 There are so many groups that were influenced by the sound of the Monochrome Set; names like the Smiths etc.What would you like to say to a new artist that begins now the journey in the music industry?
It's going to be very, very difficult. There was only a short period of time, maybe the 70s, when bands could make a living while not being commercial- now it's impossible. I feel very sad for young musicians now...they must have a hard life.
> 9 He's Frank is the first single I ever bought...and for this it is my favorite..Few years ago Iggy Pop did a cover of it. How did you feel listening to your first single after all these years covered by Iggy?
Well, you know, Iggy Pop is only about 10 years older than me (although he looks 763 years older), so to young people, we're both ancient. But, when TMS were starting Iggy was one of the two "giants" (with Lou Reed) that loomed over punk/new wave, and I could never have imagined that, many years later, I would play a part in feeding the poor old man.
> 10 Listening your appearance on the Marc Rilley's radio show, recently in an incredible session, I can tell that the band sounds better than ever...What should we expect from you performing in Greece?
It'll just keep getting better, slowly. Many little things to add and refine.
> 11 I was in the Roky Erickson show here in Athens, and it was one of the best shows I have ever attended. I know that you love the 13th Floor Elevators. Tell us a few words about your love for their music..
Oh, yes, they were a special band who went off on their own bizarre road. I had all their albums, and an original Easter Everywhere.
>12 Any special memory from the famous Peel Sessions with the Monochrome Set. How did you really feel?
Umm, I didn't really feel anything...I mean; I just thought it was normal. A lot of bands did it...but the sessions were good to do, and gave us experience of a pro studio...and of course, it's where we met Bob Sargeant, who produced Strange Boutique.
> 13 And for the end, you recently performed in the legendary '100 Club' in London and people really enjoyed it. How was it playing after all these years in such a historic club Bid?
Well, Scarlet's Well already played there a few years ago...but it was the first time TMS was there. Mmm...it was ok...
Very good. Always been a very professional band, and the new additions (Jennifer Denitto, drums, from Scarlet's Well) and John Paul Moran (keyboards) work extremely well. Everything is very comfortable- serious, but fun.
I feel relaxed on stage...and much of what I'd forgotten is coming back to me. A bit like King Theoden, but with tighter trousers.
> 2 You are coming back to Greece for the third time few days before your performance in one of the greatest festivals, the Primavera Festival in Spain. How do you feel about this?
Well, for me, the most important thing is to play to fans, and make new ones. Obviously, a big gig is nice, but ultimately it doesn't matter how big or small the gig is...
It's very exciting to play Primavera, as it will be the first time TMS have ever played Spain- and of course, it's a very famous festival. I hope that we can play other cities (Madrid, obviously) later.
With Piraeus...well, I love coming to Athens...
> 3 Your live concert in Sporting almost 30 years ago, is a very vivid memory for many people here...Do you remember the feeling of that night? The audience?I don't really remember too much...just that it was a big place! Festivals can be impersonal things. I do remember that when they picked us up from the airport, it was in a very flashy coach, and when they took us back, in was in a small dirty truck, ha-ha.
> 4 I have always wanted to ask you about your relationship with Lester Square, two talented musicians in the same band... Tell us about this relationship
It has been of mutual benefit, and recognised as such by both of us...we influenced each other in songwriting and guitar playing. Most importantly, we never fell out...so many early line-ups split up, and often the bands' sound becomes less interesting as a result. Of course, I worked on Scarlet's Well and other projects, but it never distracted from the special nature of TMS.
> 5 Even though we are in 2011, we see many groups of the Monochrome set generation like the Wire, the Fall, Gang Of Four, to release fantastic new albums! Do you consider getting in the studio for a new album? Is there any chance?
Oh, yes...a month after coming out of hospital, I wrote some songs, and I've just gone back to them now. We'll look at them in the summer, and maybe record a new album at the end of the year.
> 6 If you could enter a time machine, to which Rock n Roll period would you like to go back to for 24 hours and why?I'd like to go back to 1980, and tell myself not to leave my guitar in the boot of a car outside a Chinese restaurant (it was stolen).
I really don't know what the best for music was...somewhere between early 60s and early 80s. But I don't know if I want to actually experience those times again...
> 7 Do you agree that the sound of words is maybe more important than their meaning in a song? Have you really ever written something instinctively...something that does not appear to make sense but the words just got there in row?
Both are important, but the sound of words can carry many meanings...so there's the fundamental difference between lyrics and poetry.
I often write instinctively, and make sense of what I've written afterwards. But, imagery is usually involved- it's not just words. And the more words you know, the better your unconscious is at writing!
> 8 There are so many groups that were influenced by the sound of the Monochrome Set; names like the Smiths etc.What would you like to say to a new artist that begins now the journey in the music industry?
It's going to be very, very difficult. There was only a short period of time, maybe the 70s, when bands could make a living while not being commercial- now it's impossible. I feel very sad for young musicians now...they must have a hard life.
> 9 He's Frank is the first single I ever bought...and for this it is my favorite..Few years ago Iggy Pop did a cover of it. How did you feel listening to your first single after all these years covered by Iggy?
Well, you know, Iggy Pop is only about 10 years older than me (although he looks 763 years older), so to young people, we're both ancient. But, when TMS were starting Iggy was one of the two "giants" (with Lou Reed) that loomed over punk/new wave, and I could never have imagined that, many years later, I would play a part in feeding the poor old man.
> 10 Listening your appearance on the Marc Rilley's radio show, recently in an incredible session, I can tell that the band sounds better than ever...What should we expect from you performing in Greece?It'll just keep getting better, slowly. Many little things to add and refine.
> 11 I was in the Roky Erickson show here in Athens, and it was one of the best shows I have ever attended. I know that you love the 13th Floor Elevators. Tell us a few words about your love for their music..
Oh, yes, they were a special band who went off on their own bizarre road. I had all their albums, and an original Easter Everywhere.
>12 Any special memory from the famous Peel Sessions with the Monochrome Set. How did you really feel?
Umm, I didn't really feel anything...I mean; I just thought it was normal. A lot of bands did it...but the sessions were good to do, and gave us experience of a pro studio...and of course, it's where we met Bob Sargeant, who produced Strange Boutique.
> 13 And for the end, you recently performed in the legendary '100 Club' in London and people really enjoyed it. How was it playing after all these years in such a historic club Bid?
Well, Scarlet's Well already played there a few years ago...but it was the first time TMS was there. Mmm...it was ok...
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