This interview was done on Tuesday, January 18th, 2000 by Mary K. Beers.
How did you like playing with Gizz of Janus Stark in their April 1999 gig?
Playing with Gizz was funny, he'd been trying to get me to do it for ages and I finally agreed seeing as it was a song by 'the jam'
who I love.How would you describe the new album?
The new album is far more 'organic', by that I mean that there's a lot more emphasis on 'live' instruments, I played all the guitars and there's a hell of a lot!!!, basically the songs are more 'songlike' as opposed to the last album which was more based around beats and samples, I'm really pleased with them and it's nice to have written an entire album with a band for once instead of just a few tracks here and there.
What's it like hanging out with the boys of Pitchshifter?
The guys in the band have become my best friends, you have to be close with the amount of touring we do, mark is the nicest guy you'll meet and me and jon are very close.
What's your most ultimate drug?
The ultimate drug? Erm, I think 'success' is a good one, I get a massive buzz from seeing a good review or doing a good gig, 'other' drugs are used by most people as an escape, if your life is shit doing an 'e' will make you feel great but only for 24hrs after which you'll still have the same problems PLUS a hangover and comedown to contend with!!!!!. I do occasionally do an 'e' and go to a dance club but not too often.
Have you ever been arrested?
Honestly, I've never been arrested, in my business even getting a tiny criminal conviction could get you banned from countries like Japan, Australia, and Russia, it's not worth it.
Have you got any pets?
I have no pets, I'm not a big fan of cats and dogs, I had a tortoise once when I was 5, he was cool, no hair to make me sneeze!!!!
What types of music do you listen to?
I listen to so many different types of music but here's a list of what you'd find in my car- NOFX, Consumed, face to face, the jam, quicksand, helmet, rage, the chillis loads of drum and bass like grooverider, aphrodite, johnny L, leftfield, hip hop stuff- eminem, juarrasic 5, snoop, dre, ice cube, public enemy and ricky martin...ahem.
What are your opinions on Liam's mix album and Maxim's solo album?
Liam's mix album was interesting, a lot of people here dissed it because they didn't get what he was trying to do, it was a new challenge for him and a cool way of mixing together his influences. Maxim's album is good, very hip hop and not like the prod, I think I'm on 3 tracks
What is your favorite song lyric of all time?
No one lyric springs to mind but my fav. lyricist is Paul Wellar of the jam, his lyrics were so clever, the way he observed life as an angry young man growing up in England, I can relate to so much of it, great stuff.
What would you do if the other guys in the band one day quit leaving you on your own?
If the other guys quit I'd carry on, I'd like to do my own stuff eventually.