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| Ersal's Interview |
| Friday, 01 June 2007 | |
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1. Are there any specific songs that you have always wanted to play live, but haven't due to one reason or another: technical issues with programming for live show, difficult vocals, wouldn't suit the show/setlist atmosphere? Claude: Some songs just don't lend themselves to the live set, or pehaps we find that people just want their favorites. If I was forced into a corner I'd say... We've tried Decades a few times, but unless it is early in the set, it is difficult vocally. Otherwise, nah... 2. The making of Peace, Worth, Elektrodelica, TUIE, and so on have been well documented, however, little is known about the recording of Hope. In the Robert Semrow interview on disc 2 you mention "The three of us recorded Hope together... or not." Can you elaborate on the "or not" part of that statement and on the recording of Hope? Claude: I said or not? Well, Paul was still gone after that, and so I guess I was making light of Hope being a fun record, which it was, but it was marred a bit by not having Paul there. Hope was documented well in my notebooks, more so than any other release, except maybe Universe. We just weren't interviewed on it much... 3. Why was Oblivion re-recorded under Jarrett Records? At that time you were big on the "we are not synthpop" statement, yet LIO is considered one of the quintessential synthpop songs of all time. Even people who never knew you released something afterwards, would list LIO on an all-time synthpop song list. This isn't a question about is LIO synthpop or new wave, but just considering how the song is actually labeled by the listeners. Along the same lines, why was the ska/reggae remix not released in its entirety? I had a "yo, WTF!?!?" moment when it started to fade out on me. Claude: In the end, we are not a band that follows other people's rules about who we are. I write pop music. Sometimes it is synthpop music, sometimes it isn't. LIO was and continues to be one of our most popular songs. That's ok. We love playing it. As for the reggae mix, it was for live shows only. Never felt a need to do it. 4. What are the lyrics to Gary's LIO rap? Claude: I don't know, but they are not his! :) They are a cover... Some Rap guy... Oh yeah. Big Daddy Kane I believe. Don't ask me the song. 5. What was the band's mood like after leaving Jarrett Records? Was there a sense of "Damn, not again" or "I don't know if we can start over, yet again?" Claude: I was saddened a bit by it. We thought it was going to work, really. In the end, there were no hard feelings. They were quite nice. It was sort of a dust your self off and don't look back in anger, you know? Elektrodelica would not have existed, and that was a very important album for me. They allowed me freedom, and there's no harm in that. 6. I know you'll hate context I'm using the term in, but what was the deal with the "session players" during the Universe and TV era? Dave was there and then he wasn't. Then there was Sandra (I think that's her name) on drums for a bit. Were they not given enough creative freedom to want to stick around or were not suited for the direction the band was headed? Claude: Wow. Good one. Can I pass? :) Sandra is in a very good band called Midnight Movies, which is doing well, and Dave was in two bands during his time with us. Both of them are really great people. I haven't seen Sandra in a while, but when I do it will be cool. As for Dave, he is a good friend to us and we have an understanding about his role. If I need him, he's there for us. I really think it is safe to say that I enjoy us as the original three. I like to experiment, and having a drummer for a bit was cool, as was a bass player. 7. Regarding Gary's departure... there wasn't that much mention of it. All of a sudden it was "by the way, Gary moved so he won't be able to continue due to family obligations." I don't recall reading anything from you/your reactions to when Gary left. Claude: Gary may still do a few shows with us here and there. Because he is my brother, and I love him dearly, I see him as much as I can. I still miss the element he brought to the group, so I will always welcome him to shows, but he too understands where we are right now. 8. There's no question that you love listening to other's music as well as making your own. So strictly from a fanboy perspective, if you could create your own "Supergroup" who would be in it. (ie, Peter Hook on Bass, Johnny Marr on Guitar, Gahan on vocals, etc.) You supergroup could be as large as the Polyphonic spree with Mathew Mcconaughey on bongos for all I care. :) Claude: I thought about it, and the truth is I would fight with all of them. But ok, I will bite. I would have Paul McCartney on bass. All of Kraftwerk. Johnny from Radiohead as an extra guitarist. Paul keeps his job, as does Dania. Gary Beatboxing of course. And I would sing with George Harrison and John Lennon. Ringo would be on bongos. 9. Have you thought about/would you consider opening up for the "new" new wave groups like Killers, Bravery, Interpol, The Automatic, Editors, etc.? Claude: No. They can open for us, though. :) 10. You have an appreciation for Ian Curtis and Kurt Cobain... What is your take/theory on all these musicians that commit suicide? Claude: I was never drawn to their suicidal tragic endings, but I understand how the world can affect you so much as to push you in that direction. There is a fine line, and truly empathic beings, whether a painter or a musician, can feel incredibly alone walking along that line. Some simply don't see an alternative, which is the case with both Cobain and Curtis. I try to remember that there is always another possibility I may have missed. Keeps me on the right side of that line. 11. You had mentioned that Epic added their own drums and other instrumentation to Worth, saying "this is what it should be." Is there any chance we will hear a sample of their version of Worth? Claude: I was misunderstood, or improperly quoted. The never added, they wanted to change it. I would not have it. What they wanted was another Jesus Jones. Nothing against them, but there is no need for duplicate models. 12. Easter Eggs: What is the story behind the "out-take" on Peace? What is Dania humming, it sounds familiar but i can't place it. Who is Chris? And on Elektrospective... I believe on "I Felt The Pain" whats all that talking in the background? I think its that song. I couldn't find my CD to verify, but im sure you know what im talking about. Claude: She's doing a U2 song I believe. "New Year's Day" ? Chris was one of our managers,who walked in while she was messing around on the mic. And during "I Felt The Pain", the talking is just studio chatter that we thought was cool and kept. |
