22nd August 1999
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Went to see Clam Abuse in London and it was
marvellous. A mad opening act, Tyla's stunning set and Clam Abuse - what an
entrance! I have never seen a band split an audience so quickly as when the two
old guys with banjos came on. Just one question though: Give The Girl A Gun.
How did you know?
Jonathan
Squires
Give The Girl A Gun? I know everything.
The gig at Camden was great. Or what I saw of it
was - I had to leave after you'd only been on for 20 minutes because of The
Last Train Home. But I need to know who the two blokes who went on stage before
you were, because they were great! Also, chunky pickle or sandwich pickle -
which do you think is better and why?
Sex
Pot Liz
The two guys before us were Steve and Gary. You should be able to get hold of some stuff by sending a letter to:
Steve D Gardener
Great Linford Manor
Great Linford
Milton Keynes
MK14 5AX
PS - Chunky pickle... for the extra jaw work.
What's been the best gig / night on
tour?
Steve Fessey
The best gig was London Dingwalls. It was just one of those nights where everything went smooth and easy. Loads of mates turned up and a good skinful was had by all.
I have to congratulate you - Clam Abuse does rock,
and anyone who says otherwise is a git. Some tit in the NME comparing you to
Carter USM... well he's fucking deaf for a start (apart from Message To
Geri... ahem). Anyway, do you still hear from Alice In Chains? I seem to
remember you once saying you got on really well with them, or at least Layne
Staley.
James Smythe
NME in inaccurate report shocker!!!!!!!! Some people can't have a good time. Wrong gig for them to attend really, doncha think? No, I don't keep in touch with Alice In Chains. It's quite common in this business to get on great with someone on tour but once the tour is over it's home and business as usual. Layne is a really good bloke, and I'm very happy to know that he's still alive and well. I'm sure I'll see him again someday.
I have to agree, York is a shithole, and I should know - I've lived round here all my life! I think you're being a bit down on the fans at York, though. The signing was weird, 'cos no one knew whether to dance around or whatever, as there was only about 15 people in the store. It's not that we weren't into it, 'cos we were. I've had the album since day one and it's fucking fantastic (like yourself). I don't think anyone was particularly disappointed at the gig. Most people knew it was Clam Abuse and what the music was like, and they really enjoyed it. And being down in the pit at the front everyone there was fucking loving it. Anyone who didn't enjoy it certainly kept quiet and also has no ears.
Fibbers is a shit venue, we were all surprised when
you played there as it's normally only frequented by local bands trying to
get a break and we all thought it was weird when we bought our tickets (on the
day of release, about April I think) that it was advertised as Ginger when we
knew it was Clam Abuse. Just don't be too hard on your fans, man, 'cos
they did enjoy it.
Simon
I hope I didn't sound like I was getting at the fans. It's not anyone's fault that people have to live in a dump like York, and definitely not reason to have a go at them. Fibbers is a very apt name as it was advertised as "Ginger of The Wildhearts", even though it was stipulated in the contract that it had to be advertised as "Clam Abuse (featuring Ginger)," as I didn't want people to think it would be a revue of all my previous songs and walk away disappointed. It was a cheap stunt and was not appreciated. Small timers tend to think that they will always be small time. Careful what you wish for because that is usually exactly what you get. Please check out the site as often as you can to see that I do appreciate my fans... more than most, in fact.
I'd be interested to read your comments on the York experience. I understand grumblings about the arrest and how boring York can be, especially with no knowledge of where to find the drugs, but I think the criticisms about the gig were unfair. As far as I could tell, the fans were well up for it, at least as much as at Leeds. Which is more than I can say for you, who, after comparing the two gigs, appeared to be going through the motions.
I know that the ticket thing was a mistake as the
Duchess in Leeds is run by the same people. The tickets were just printed at
the time when I guess even you thought this was gonna be a Ginger acoustic gig.
As for the signing, I think people turned up, but they turned up at the correct
time. People have better things to do than stand around waiting for you.
You're not fucking Noddy Holder, ya know! I personally would have enjoyed
the whole experience more if I hadn't just eaten the dodgiest pie in the
UK. Talking of pies, if I were you I'd stay off 'em for a while, as you
were looking like a bit of a porker. But I suppose that's got nothing to do
with me.
Sheetvan Ward
I wish someone would remind me exactly what it is I said about the fans in York because I honestly can't remember having a go at them. As far as the in-store late arrival is concerned, we can only travel as fast as the bus will go. Whether you have a job or not, the bus cannot fly (even for you). Oh, and thanks for letting me know that I'm putting on weight, you closet fucking fag.
I'm totally disgusted that the police should
act that way towards you, especially in my native Yorkshire. Please don't
think we're all tossers like that. Fantastic gig in Sheffield. The Clam
Abuse CD is also the best thing I've heard in fuckin' ages. Anyway, a
question or two: Is the lyric in 29 x The Pain referring to Queen and were you
a fan of Freddie? And what is your opinion on the present-day Manics? What were
they like to tour with?
Neil
I love Queen, especially Sheer Heart Attack (hence the reference). The Manics are a band I'll always love, even if their music slows down to a stop. And I agree... the police are sometimes up for inviting violent response to their often heavy-handed approach, hence the fact that sometimes they get beaten up or worse. No fire without a spark and all that. Lucky he got me and not some nutter with a Stanley knife.
How come you missed the soundcheck at the Newcastle
Arts Centre? I know you had an in-store, but did it honestly take that
long?!
Izzy Foster
I try to miss soundcheck as often as possible. Bad luck, those things. But as you can imagine, I've got a lot of mates up there that I don't see nearly enough, and when you put Geordies and pubs together you come up with missed soundchecks. Sigh... life is tough.
Do you think you guys will ever play live in South
Shields? I know you are real Geordies, but Shields is so much
better.
Ritch
Don't know if we will play anywhere again, but if we do then Shields sounds good. Unfortunately, the Steamboat is in Shields so that would make playing a serious concern... having said that, now that Vaux has gone it's a little easier to leave.
"I guess it's quite clear, male genitalia
has never been more than unlucky for me. So now I'm surviving because
I'm muff diving, I'd like y'all to meet Anne Marie." Did you
write this or was it Alex? Because I've got to say they are the best lyrics
ever written. I couldn't stop cracking up.
Ian Johnson
Yep, they're all mine. Thanks for appreciating the word.
I like the I Think I Love You cover. Have you heard
the Voice Of The Beehive version? Have you got any of their albums? I'd
recommend Honey Lingers. On the live front, I saw you at the Portsmouth gig (my
home town, thanks) and was most impressed. I enjoyed the Wildhearts covers
especially Give The Girl A Gun. Do you plan to do another tour, or is this just
a one off?
Steve Wingate
No, I haven't heard the Voice Of The Beehive version of I Think I Love You... anyone got a copy? Dunno if Clam Abuse will tour again. Both Alex and I are very busy with both of our 'serious' projects, but hey, you never do know.
Are you intending on recording more Clam Abuse
material in the future, or is this to be a one off project? Do you see The
Wildhearts going one step further after playing live in Japan, and if the money
was offered recording an actual album for the Japanese market?
Gary Clarke
I honestly don't know what will happen with Clam Abuse. It was meant to be a joke but it backfired and now we have fans! It would be cool to do some more with Alex as he is one cool cucumber. Who knows?
The Wildhearts will more than likely play a show in Britain one day, but by one day I mean whenever that is in the future. Everyone has their own thing going on now. This means a lot of politics, etc, and I don't love all that crap.
I have recently taken to driving around my hometown
of Los Angeles in my convertible wearing full clown make-up. It has come to
this! Maybe I'm holding up a mirror to people of Hollywood. Maybe I am a
full-on loon. Your thoughts?
Starwood
Hollywood is a very strange place. There's always someone more fucked up than you. Especially on the roads. You'll probably get some film work out of this... and I want 10%.
What's the deal with getting Clam Abuse /
Wildhearts T-shirts if I'm in the US?
Scott Chamberlain
See the news section for where to get T-shirts.
Coming soon, we're
waiting on the details - Darren
How will the Wildhearts gig in Japan affect the
Clam Abuse tour? Did you have to cancel or leave some dates open for the
show?
Makito Kawata
Clam Abuse had finished the tour just in time for the Wildhearts show in Japan. The God of timing was on our side for that one.
A week has already passed since the Wildhearts
reunion show in Japan. I was more excited than I thought I would be when the
band began to play Nothing Ever Changes But The Shoes as an opening song. I
don't think it was one of the best gigs you've ever played, but
it's true that I enjoyed it as much as you did.
Yuki Yamamoto
I agree the show in Japan was not one of our best, but what can you really expect? We are not as in love with the band as we once were. It was more of a novelty gig. I enjoyed it because it was "totemo hen" playing with the boys again (and Japan is always great fun), but that was the only reason. It's not like we decided to reform again or anything, it was just a day out!
I went to the Beautiful Monsters festival just to
see The Wildhearts. I enjoyed your show very much. Now, I have a question. Do
you have any special feelings when you play at festivals?
Kai Matsuda
Playing festivals is always a big surprise. You hang out, meet some friends and then the next thing you know you are on stage. You can never prepare for them so I never prepare! I never soundcheck and just go with the flow of things. Usually, the only thing I think on stage is "God, it's so bright!"
Ginge - Ramones or Sex Pistols? Stones or Beatles?
Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson? Bob Dylan or Neil Young? Bowie or Bolan? Blur or
Oasis (sic)? BB King or Howlin' Wolf? Clam Abuse or Super Shit
666?
Brett Callwood
1: Ramones
2: Stones
3: Johnny Cash
4: Tyla
5: Bowie
6: Huh?
7: How old do you think I am?
8: How can you choose?
Whatever happened to your cat, Shitface? I'm
referring to the cat, not calling you a shitface.
Steve Fessey
The cat now lives in Wales. By Wales I mean the country. It has not been
devoured by a bunch of large fish.
Mammals, actually - Nature Ed
Do The Channel Bop is one of the coolest tunes
I've ever heard. What exactly is it about?
Paul Reid
Channel Bop(ping) is when you switch your mind off to some rubbish that someone is spewing your way. The alternative is to lose one's temper, which could well result in needless karma points and social repercussions. Channel Bopping is safe and effective, as only the truly ignorant don't realise that you are in fact ignoring them.
Knowing that, like myself, you're a big Mick
Ronson fan, I asked you in Missing Records in Glasgow if you had the chance to
hear any of the recent releases. Have you? Check out the guitar solo on I'd
Give Anything To See You on the Just Like This album - pure class. Love the
album and what a great gig. Tyla was excellent, looking forward to seeing the
Dogs. Is Alex Kane safe to be out alone? Also, as you have slagged off
practically every guitar under the sun, what the fuck's with the
Strat?
Alan Care
Oh no, a guitar lover. I've broken my favourite guitars and played my least favourites... I just don't give a monkey's basically. The album was recorded on acoustic guitars and I hate the idea of playing acoustics on stage, so the nearest thing is a Strat. I fortunately have the world's loveliest Strat. But fear not, I'll probably smash that one up too.
A few years ago, I read an article in which you
claimed that "Richey Manic is still alive." You were so confident of
this fact that you were going to go down to the bookies to place a bet on
Richey turning up. I was just wondering if you still feel the same
way?
Ollie Johnston
I still think Richey Manic is alive, well and happy.
How disappointed are you by the fact that
thoroughly uninventive music acts (Travis, Reef and those cretinous bastards
Oasis, to name a few who particularly get on my tits) prosper whilst those,
like yourself, who are willing to take a risk and do something new and
interesting are marginalised by the music media machine? History is going to
exonerate you as the most important British songwriter of all
time.
Jorj
I really don't care what bands are put on pedestals by semi-homosexual journalists. If they came out of the closet I may have respect for the admittance of sexual arousal due to the aesthetics of their favourite current muso, but as it stands there is very little difference between the hyperbole lauded by these journos and the pre-pubescent crushes of young girls on the boy band of the week. I am fortunately exempt from the short term mania that usually kills bands / artists within a year of their conception. I've proven that I'm here to stay. Most people in this business are living on borrowed time. Strange that the people who loved Clam Abuse are folk who are quite secure within themselves and can enjoy something on a purely un-cool level. I think that's very cool indeed.
I was curious, as you are about certain things, and
wanted to know how many takes you did before you got the vocal track recorded
for Caffeine Bomb? You do a mighty good job on it, that's for
sure!
Gary Clarke
Caffeine Bomb was done in one take, as was most of the Wildhearts stuff. CJ did his vocal in one take with the lyric sheet in front of him. That's pretty impressive.
What happened to the Super Shit 666 project you
were doing with one of the Backyard Babies?
Gary Clarke
Super Shit 666 was recorded ages ago when the idea was hot. Now I'm busy doing other stuff I can't see it as a priority.
What inspired you to get that kind of sound on the
Endless, Nameless album? Don't you feel that the "white noise"
aspect hides the melody and structure of some awesome tracks?
Gary Clarke
With Endless, Nameless, I wanted to make something pretty hardcore but something that would last the test of time. That's why it's melodic. I'm sure that in years to come it will be seen as the first of a new musical style. I personally would love to hear a load of distorted pop bands making a good racket, as I'm sure many people would. You'll find that when you get in a shitty mood and even Ministry don't suffice then that one will do the business nicely. I personally am more proud of that record than any of our others. Music should be challenging and by definition should be occasionally difficult to digest.
All art forms have a hardcore side and I feel that music takes this as a style and therefore easy access to fame as garnered by protagonists of the style, as opposed to true artistic statement. There is one Beethoven, one Van Gogh, but a number of Rage Against The Machines, Ministrys or whatever. Endless... is impossible to copy as it is a personal statement of dissatisfaction. Music fans do, unfortunately, tend to feel more comfortable when acting as a pack. This is not to say that everyone likes pack mentality... me for one. For more examples of personal artistic statement check out Devin Townsend (or Strapping Young Lad) and The Cardiacs.
What is the song Fugazi (Do the Fake)
about?
Gary Clarke
The song Fugazi (Do The Fake) is about people earning money by being something they are not. Usually at the expense of easily fooled fans. There should be a law...
