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AN INTERVIEW WITH�
DAVID RYDER-PRANGLEY FROM RACHEL STAMP.

IT WAS 18 MONTHS AGO WHEN WE LAST SPOKE TO YOU. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO IN THAT TIME?
In that time we've been writing our new album 'RAVENOUS' and playing in far away reaches of the UK in places requested by our fans. We started to record the album, got three songs down and then had word from an American producer who wants to make the album. We're working on making that happen, and in the meantime we're releasing the three recorded songs- two as a double AA side cd single (HONEY and QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE) and one (CREEPS) on the cover cd of Metal Hammer.
YOU�VE PLAYED LOADS OF GIGS IN AMERICA THIS YEAR. ARE YOU GOING DOWN WELL THERE?
How we go down depends on how well we play. If we manage to pull together in cosmic harmony and create something amazing we go down well. So yeah we've been going down really well. Americans aren't half as ignorant as British people would like to believe.
HOW DO AMERICAN AUDIENCES DIFFER FROM THEIR BRITISH COUNTERPARTS?
They like music and they appreciate a band who does their own thing. They arent as trend concious as British audiences. I have to say though, that generally anywhere we go Rachel Stamp audiences are cool, intelligent people.
ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK ON TOUR HERE IN THE UK?
Yes! I can't wait to play the new songs and some older material we haven't done for a long time. We have so many songs now that it's getting really hard to pick the setlist, but hopefully we'll please and surprise the fans.
WILL YOU BE PLAYING ANY RARITIES ON THE TOUR, SUCH AS METALLIC PEACH FOR EXAMPLE?
Metallic Peach won't be played. When we recorded that song I got into a fight with the producer because I wanted it to be even longer and have big Jim Steinmanesque backing vocals on it and the producer just couldn't deal with it. The version you hear on 'Sweet Shop' is only half the story. It's a great song.
DO YOU EVER GET NERVOUS BEFORE GOING ON STAGE?
Always. It never goes away. Actually I think the shaking and vomiting is just my body's reaction to being taken over by the spirits of rock n' roll.
HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR SET?
We don't.
WHICH TRACKS DO YOU MOST ENJOY PERFORMING?
Any where I don't have to play the bass. We've got a new song called 'Bad Saint' which I'm really enjoying playing.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO AFTER A GIG?
Shout at each other.
DO YOU EVER GET HOMESICK WHILE ON TOUR?
Not really homesick, but I miss my girl.
IS IT DISHEARTENING ON THE NIGHTS FEW PEOPLE TURN UP TO SEE YOU?
Of course it is. We're one of those bands who aren't on TOTP, but the people who do like us absolutely adore us. So it's a double edged sword. Instead of touring maybe we should just play one gig a year to 3,000 people.
WHAT IS THE MOST SPINAL TAP MOMENT RACHEL STAMP HAVE EVER HAD ON TOUR?
We're quite Tap free luckily.
WHO IS DRUMMING FOR YOU AT THE MOMENT?
Alan Van Kleef.
YOU HAVE A NEW DOUBLE-A SIDE SINGLE COMING OUT, FEATURING THE TRACKS HONEY AND QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE. WHAT ARE THE TRACKS ABOUT?
HONEY is about getting out of any situation where you're not happy, realising you are the only person that can change your own life and not relying on other people. QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE is about the most beautiful girl in the world.
WHAT HAS FEEDBACK FROM THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD THE TRACKS BEEN LIKE?
People really like them. The tracks are stripped down rock n' roll.
ANY IDEA WHEN THE NEW ALBUM WILL BE OUT YET?
March 2005.
IT IS CALLED RAVENOUS. WHERE DID THE NAME COME FROM?
Secret.
BET YOU�RE EXCITED ABOUT HAVING NEW MATERIAL OUT?
Yes.
WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM IT? HOW WILL IT DIFFER FROM YOUR 1ST TWO ALBUMS?
The songs are more stripped down and direct. Lyrically it's the ultimate vampire rock n' roll album.
WHAT IS THE ALBUM ARTWORK LIKE?
Top secret
WHO CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF PUTTING OUT THE �SWEET SHOP� ALBUM?
We wanted to make some of our older material available, and also make it worthwhile for collectors. It's so hard to find our original singles so we put out the 'Sweet Shop' album with versions of those songs so everyone can hear what we've done in the past.
WAS IT HARD CHOOSING WHICH TRACKS TO PUT ON IT?
There are a few left over that we couldn't fit on there, but mainly we stuck to stuff that was well recorded. I hate buying rarities albums and having a collection of half finished demo takes. We made it so it sounded like a proper album.
WHAT BAND EXPERIENCE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RE LIVE?
All of it then I wouldn't make the mistakes we have over again.
DO YOU STILL HAVE OTHER JOBS OR IS THE BAND NOW YOUR FULL TIME CAREER?
The band is full time but we also dj and do other music related stuff on occasion.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT YOU COULD MAKE AS A BAND?
To make music that lets people know they're alive.
DO YOU EVER READ ANY OF THE MESSAGES YOUR FANS LEAVE ON YOUR FORUM?
Not really.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW �MY SPACE� COMMUNITY.
Well I personally am very computer shy. The Myspace thing is fun and a good way to keep in touch with the fans and spread the word about the band.
>WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE WHOLE X-FACTOR THING?
I think Simon Cowell is scum. What he does is ridicule kids and break their hearts in the cruellest most arrogant way. I think it's disgraceful. He has such bad taste anyway. What has he given us? Will Young! I hate the way people are led to believe that all they have to do to make it in music is turn up for one audition and sing three lines and have someone decide if they will be a superstar or if they're talentless. It's bad for the music industry. Simon Cowell is making millions from all of these shows. He's truly a disgusting human being.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Sleep.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW AS A CHILD?
H R Puffenstuff.
WHAT KIND OF WALLPAPER DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR BEDROOM?
White paint.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2005?
Sell 9 million albums and kill god on MTV.

ALL QUESTIONS BY SCREAMING TARTS.

Thankyou and thankyou for your continued support of Rachel Stamp
lovefreedomglamour
davidstampx

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