28th March 1999
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Why did you stop playing Turning American so early
in your career?
Tom
Fletcher
It confused too many people into thinking it was anti-American, so I figured the best way to avoid any racist undertones existing in our audience was to scrap the song.
I understand that you played alongside Paul Gilbert
(Mr Big's guitarist) in Japan. What songs did you play?
Gary Taylor
Me and Paul Gilbert ran through a couple of Wildhearts tunes (Sick Of Drugs, Jonesing For Jones, I Wanna Go...) and a couple of his tunes (Run To Mexico and I forget the other one), and Voices by Cheap Trick. He's a Wildhearts and Cheap Trick fan so we had quite a bit in common. He's a lovely guy.
Do you think about doing some stuff with Tyla? I
always thought that you are the best songwriters in the whole world!
Dario Barbusci
Me and Tyla have very different writing styles, and both are very distinctive. I don't know that we would complement each other. Tyla seems to write more material than any living human being, so I don't think he needs any help from me!
I consider you to be alongside the likes of Lennon
in the songwriting stakes. And having learned a lot of Wildhearts songs to play
on the guitar, the more I learn, the higher I place you. Who do you consider to
be among the top songwriters today?
Gary
Taylor
I think the Lennon comparison is a bit over generous, but thanks. Today's songwriters are a rare breed, but I rate Willie Dowling as the most talented writer in the world today. Also Devin Townsend is a huge talent. He could end up being this generation's Frank Zappa.
I have only got into The Wildhearts in the last
year or so through friends, and have to say that they were/are brilliant! Where
does your inspiration come from for your songs? Personal experience or just the
world in general?
Frazer
All the inspiration for the songs is from life in general: my own life and the unusual way others conduct theirs. I'm fascinated by people and what better way of sharing opinions than by writing about them in a song?
Just wanted to know if you use drugs to help you
write tunes.
Bart
I use a guitar to help me write tunes, but I have been known to use drugs to make me want to pick up my guitar!
Is there any Wildhearts song that you think feels
cold or sterile after you've released it, and wanted to change
afterwards?
Robert Van
Gameren
Everything I record sounds like it could be improved upon. That's why I record new stuff! If I ever did make the perfect recording then what would be the point in continuing? You've got to keep improving.
A source close to Danny told me Endless, Nameless
ended up sounding like it did due to him and Danny messing around with the
master tapes during a pretty hedonistic session. This sounds quite far fetched.
Any comment?
Tom Fletcher
I'm afraid the rumour that Danny and a friend "messed with the tapes" is as truthful as me being born black. Back then the most radical thing Danny did with the tapes was turn up to play on them (which was pretty radical for him at the time). All work (and blame) for Endless, Nameless can be put down to me, Ritch and Ralph Jezzard.
What do you think of the guitar tablature on the
Net? Can you read music or tablature?
Gary
Taylor
Guitar tablature? What in hell's name is that?
No. I can't read a note of music. I'm completely self-taught, which is very time consuming but ensures that you end up with your own style.
Would you consider doing a guitar book or video for
any Wildhearts stuff ('cos that'll save me transcribing
it!)?
Gary Taylor
AAARRGHHH!!!!! I can't imagine anything more painful than doing a guitar book! Save yourself some time and write your own stuff, it's much more fun.
Would you ever consider guitar tuition or teaching
songwriting as a career?
Gary
Taylor
I would rather encourage people to find their own style and use their own experiences as a means of expression. Songwriting is a very personal art form and teaching someone to write would be like trying to teach someone to fuck!
What do you think about Teenage Fanclub (they are
one of my favourites!)?
Junko
I haven't listened to much Teenage Fanclub, but the stuff I've heard on the radio I like. I'm a sucker for a pretty tune and they sure have plenty of those. If this is Junko from AIRS video, hope the coolest shop in the world is still going strong. I'll be back in your store soon. Matane.
Do you ever listen to Frank Black and/or The
Pixies, and if so what do you think of them?
Gary Taylor
I love The Pixies, and I used to think Frank Black was the most unique talent in America, but that last album sounded like everyone else. I do hope he makes another Teenager Of The Year. That was a great album.
Why are some of your best songs so hard to get hold
of (e.g., Church of the Broken Hearted, Shut Your Fucking Mouth..., Just
Stay)?
Andrew Wren
The reason why the best stuff is hard to get hold of is because in life all of the things you hold most precious are the things that you had to strive for. This doesn't make them better, just more valuable.
What's your attitude towards the professional
bootleg market? There seems to be a huge one in Japan. Considering that these
discs often cost more than proper albums, does it annoy you that you don't
see any money from these releases?
Darren
Stockford
You've got to stay one step ahead of the bootleggers, but I'm always really flattered by bootlegs. It's an honest indication of how popular you are. It also means that because of existing bootlegs I can see and hear the quality and improve on it for my own "bootlegs." Musicians are largely greedy bastards who think too much about getting paid, and forget too soon that they got into bands via bootlegs too. Groupies and bootleggers, long may they co-exist in rock n' roll.
I've been working my arse off for about three
years now in my band called Loose Thread. We've been though fucks and ups
and I can't really recall all of them. But right now, things have changed,
and for the first time in my life all of the ambition and lust are finally
living up to me being myself and pushing the band towards the next situation.
What do I do now? Now that the band have the correct mix and feeling,
what's the next step?
Dave
You are in a very fortunate position and the only person that can fuck it up is you. My only advice would be: don't take your band members for granted no matter how much more work you do compared to them. Everyone works at a different pace - don't forget this. As the leader of the band (and there must be ONE) you must praise and respect your band mates, and be willing to risk harm to protect them. Don't bullshit, as the truth will always come out. Don't be afraid to do things that make you scared... these are the most important things. Play like bastards, and for God's sake PERFORM. The world is not screaming out for another bunch of stiffs. Get loads of gigs and treat them like a military assault course. It's not hard to be the best, it's just that it isn't at all easy. And most important of all... if it's not fun, make it... and if you can't make it, ditch it. (And make sure your songs are good!)
It's Scott from South Shields here. You were
nice enough to come and see our band Stuffed play on Boxing Day at the Vic in
South Shields, with Smoulty's lot, Shovelmouth. We fucked up a couple of
Wildhearts songs, but you were nice to us anyway! Ha! Do you still stick by
what you told me: that you wouldn't want to come from anywhere else but
Shields? Also, I have some pics of you, Danny and Stidi from Boxing Day. Do you
want any copies of them?
Scott
Ellison
Of course I still stick with what I said. People from Shields are like Geordies with better senses of humour.
Pics of Danny and Stidi? What on earth would I want them for? Ugly bastards.
Panda told me that he's setting up a Danny Deen
web site as a memorial. Do you think this is a good way to remember Danny?
Danny told me himself that he wanted to do one, but was scared he would get
people stealing his stuff.
Scott
Ellison
I think a Danny Deen web site would be fantastic and I'd love to do something for it.
What do you miss most about England? I think
I'd miss Liquorice Allsorts big time!
Tom Fletcher
I'm not exactly in exile so I haven't started missing anything yet, but I suppose the first thing would be seasons. I love coats, and in LA there's no real need for huge clothing.
What do your friends call you? Ginger, Ginge, Dave,
David?
Andrew Wren
My friends call me Ginger.
Who won the 'not allowed to wash on tour'
contest back in 1994, you or Devin?
Tom
Fletcher
Me....!!!!!!
