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Post by icebreath on May 1, 2015 17:10:41 GMT -5
Here's all the question and answers from this AMA
Wall of post incoming
Someone asked if I would ever be on Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld:
In a heartbeat.
I would fucking pay my own AIRFARE to do that.
I'm a HUUUGE fan of Jerry Seinfeld. HUGE.
1.) Okay. It would've been half of my first solo record, so "Record Machine" would've probably been on it... "Stop the Clocks" would've probably been on it, and "Dream On" and maybe "Stranded on the Wrong Beach" and then the rest of the guys would've put on some of their own songs.
2.) Hah. Wow. Maddest Oasis story. Just the fact that we existed AT ALL and became the biggest band in the world is bizarre enough. I'm not going to share any Oasis stories with anybody online for fear of litigation and libel.
Although needless to say - there were oiled midgets involved. grins
There, I've said too much.
3.) "Gotta Have Fun?" What led to "Lock All the Doors" being resurrected was just the fact that I kept the chorus in my head all those years... and I just happened to be comin' out of the local supermarket, on a Sunday evening... and snaps fingers it fell out of the sky.
That's it.
There are no more hidden gems to be regurgitated.
Good word. Regurgitated.
"Gotta Have Fun?" Don't remember that one.
Eh - "Roll It Over" probably will never be performed live. But on the other hand, "Let's All Make Believe" I was messing around with it before this tour started, so I wouldn't be surprised if I play it in the very far distant future.
None of us know. It was just - we switched on the radio - it was recorded in the middle of the night, about 3 or 4 AM, and we just... it was something that was on the BBC World Service I think or some fucking radio station. None of us know what it is. No idea.
Okay.
There will be a "Be Here Now" reissue.
The Mustique Demos will be on it.
Indeed.
The 3 songs that you mentioned - "Bye Bye My Family" is called "Don't Stop..." - the other two will definitely be released at some point - not sure when.
Absolutely.
You can send it to my management address, which is Number 54 Linhope Street, London, NW3 6HL.
Ask for Ray.
laughs evilly
ponders
I think that rock n' roll has turned into - or been turned into - a thing that is now referred to as "modern rock." Which is an awful title to give any kind of music. I think - I just think that the attitude, and the spirit, that we had is definitely disappearing.
chuckles
Okay, FIRSTLY, there was no big bag of fucking cash.
Secondly, I was involved in the design.
Thirdly, I can't fucking remember what my involvement was.
Fourthly, I do have one, somewhere. But... I shouldn't have made them sonic blue color.
It's disgustin'.
Tell her I was high on the time, on drugs
1.) That song is called "Don't stop..." I've already recorded it. The reason it didn't make it onto "Chasing Yesterday" was because it didn't fit the vibe of the album. Needless to say, when I finally get 'round to releasing it, I think it will be one of my best ever releases. The sound of it is more akin to the first album, and I felt like "Chasing Yesterday" had moved on a little bit. But it's a great song, and I love it, and when I finally release it, you're going to love it (fans, that is).
2.) Eh - no, I haven't. I struggle to remember her name, to be honest.
3.) No. That's it now, I'm afraid. The cupboards are bare.
I dismiss "Be Here Now" because it's shit. And I'm allowed to say that because I fucking wrote it. "Heathen Chemistry" on the other hand, has its moments... "Force of Nature," "She is Love," "Little By Little," "Stop Crying Your Heart Out," etcetera.
But yeah - "Be Here Now." Hmmm.
I was with Gem about 4 weeks ago. Didn't get a chance to talk about anything really. It was at a party I was having in my dressing room, and there were too many people there. But if I needed on a track or a gig that thing that Gem offers, then I wouldn't hesitate to call him because I'd still like to think we're good friends and musical partners.
As for what he's going to do in the future... I have no idea.
HA!
Yes. I do.
I accept your groveling apology.
And I still won't be playin' it.
Somebody to write some fucking great songs.
That's all it'll ever take.
That's all it takes. People can talk about "attitude," and "spirit" and fucking good-looking guys in bands, and vibe, and fucking blah-blah-blah. I dare ANYBODY from the next generation to write one decent chorus.
Yeah.
Just one.
The names on the napkin was yours and your family's.
And I agree with those songs being my best work, and I admire your taste.
"Regret" is too strong a word. I don't think it's the greatest title I ever came up with. But then again, neither was "What's the Story, Morning Glory." If I could change it now, I'd probably change it to... eh... "Dark Side of the Room"
OR "Wheat is Murder." Hahahaha!
chuckles
Eh...Boots is an arrogant little shit.
Yeah.
That's my cat. He's been ignoring me for the last fucking five years.
Me and Boots could never work together. There would be too many "artistic differences."
You should bear in mind that my memory's not the best.
If you're telling me it's from a different song, then I would probably agree.
I'd like to think that the Chemical Brothers story is a better STORY though.
So let's keep that between us.
Eh... I sing "The Macarena." I do some yodelin'. And then I finish with "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce.
chuckles
"She is Love."
"Idler's Dream."
"Let's All Make Believe."
And... and... "Part of the Queue."
1.) Eh - it depends. The great ones usually just pop into your head. And seem to just fall out of the sky. And then some of them you have to work at. There is no golden rule or any rule set in stone for songwritin'. No matter what anybody might tell you, it seems to change from song to song for me. But I guess... I always, always, ALWAYS let the melody dictate the rest. I don't worry about the chords. I just let the melody dictate where the song's going to go and sometimes they're great and sometimes they're not.
2.) Well, you're in! Cheap labor is my forte, haha.
1.) Ehm - the thing with Damon was a flippant comment as casually thrown around as "We should go for a drink." As for makin' an album, I would be amazed if either of us ever had the time to make that work. As for "The Magic Whip," I like the tracks "Lonesome Street" and "Ong Ong" - I haven't heard any of the rest of it, but if those two tracks are anything to go by, sounds like it's going to be good.
2.) Ehm - his input was fantastic. And at the time, invaluable. And I couldn't have got my solo career off the ground without him. All that being said - you know, my record, this record, "Chasing Yesterday," sounds that good. With any producer, it's all about the relationship, as opposed to the skills that they can bring. But me and Dave, you know, still to this day we remain good friends, and maybe we'll work together again in the future.
I miss... the camaraderie of being in a band, in the studio. That is to say, there are massive benefits - by makin' a record on your own, you can change direction very very quickly. And you don't have to run things by "the committee" of band members.
On the other hand, it's great to share, you know... to share the greatness with other people, d'you know what I mean? If I can give you an analogy, you know, the more people at a party, the better.
shrugs
Although it's sometimes nice to party on your own.
No. Okay. The video for "D'You know what I mean" was shot on the deserted set of FULL METAL JACKET, which is still - you can still visit it in London - so it's an old, disused gasworks in London. The Czech writing, I'm not sure what that's all about, I thought it was Vietnamese writin'. The choppers was a reference to Vietnam. What any of that has to do with the fucking song is beyond me. I don't even know what the song's about, never mind the video!
Oh, thank you very much.
The Oasis version of "The Roller" is... in somebody's... demo CD collection CD, somewhere. Not mine, I might add.
Somebody will have it. Gem will probably have a copy of it. As has Liam, no doubt.
1.) Yes. I do feel like they should move on. But I don't mind answerin' the questions if they're from fans, because i know how much that band meant, and continues to mean to people. So in my head, and my heart, I've moved on. So it's cool.
2.) There's certainly not as much partying in front of the scenes, that's for sure. Everything changes as you get older in life. You know, you don't attempt as much as you did when you're 47 as you did when you were 27 - whether that be length of time on the road, or partying, or amount of songs that you write, or the places you're willing to go to write those songs. The life of a musician in regards to gettin' older is just the same as everybody else's life as they get older. Your fucking shit changes. Not literally.
3.) Eh - yes, Kasabian would be one of my favourites. There's a band called Neon Waltz that you should check out. I'm not sure... there's a band called Jungle. Fucking hell, they are amazin'. Other than that, I'm still discovering old stuff from the 60's, I'm afraid.
4.) Dave Gillmore, Jeff Beck, Davie Bowie would be - fucking hell, that would blow my mind if he would even shake a maraca for one tune, that'd be great. Yeah.
5.) Heh. He's a fucking idiot - I'm only jokin' - haha! He's a dj. He - when I'm on tour in the UK - he does my official after show parties. And he's a funny, funny dude.
6.) I don't agree with streamin'. I certainly don't agree with the lack of royalties that I receive from streamin'. I realize that the world is changin', and the way that people receive music - and even the fact that I use the phrase "receive music" is a fucking disgrace. I would rather that people own it. But I'm not sure where it's all going to end, if I'm being honest.
I'll try.
Gorton?
Yeah...kind of. Well, I know where Gorton is, and I know where my eyes are, and would I have had them tested in Gorton? I don't know.
Gorton is like, an area of Manchester near where I used to live.
No.
Should they sack 'im, I don't know.
Who should they get? I don't know that either.
Yeah, well, clearly that was a joke.
Hahaha!
YES.
Frequently.
I frequently consider the hotdog a sandwich.
nods
At the moment - Donovan's favourite wrestler is Brock Lesner. Because he's mean, and evil.
My favourite wrestler at the moment is Bray Wyatt. Because we met him when they did a show in London, and he was a really fucking nice guy. And we met Hulk Hogan, and he was a REALLY fucking nice guy. He asked if I was one of his Hulkamaniacs, and I had to say "yes, of course!" He came into this room, and I was going "Look Donovan, it's Hulk Hogan" and he goes "Look BROTHER, are you one of my Hulkamaniacs?!" and I said "Yes, of course!"
gestures with ring
Thank you very much.
I bought this ring in a pawn shop in Tokyo in the 90's. It's a US college ring that I believe people get when they graduate from college in America. It was given to somebody. I'm assuming a G.I. stationed in Tokyo, from Ruston High School in Mississippi (I've looked it up).
It has started many a boring conversation with some of the American armed forces in airport lounges across the world, when they'll say to me "Where'd you go to school buddy?"
"Manchester?"
"I see you got a ring there. Where'd you go to school?"
"I went to Ruston High School in Mississippi, as you can tell by my accent."
Ehm... I guess I'm a product of my record collection, which is ever-expanding and gets ever-more eclectic. And I don't ever sit down when I'm writin' a song and feel like I've got anything profound to say to the universe... I just - to coin the phrase from that godawful film FROZEN... I just let it go... let it go!
smiles
Okay. First of all - a bucket list is the most fucking ludicrous fucking term I've ever heard, in my life.
BUT.
I would like someday to record an album in New York. I would also like to have Dave Gilmore play on a track for me. And Jeff Beck. I think that's about it.
Oh, actually, I also still think that one day I'm going to write the greatest song in the world.
I think that the days of a rock band explodin' out of a council estate in the north of England and going on to connect with so many people in so many countries around the world... I think the chances of that happenin' again are very, very slim.
But we live in hope.
looks around room
No.
Because I went to a fucking donut shop once in Montreal, and all the staff spoke French! And last time I looked - France was on the other side of the fucking world.
So I say to the people of Montreal - au revoir.
Hahahaha!
1.) SEINFELD. The greatest thing that's ever been on television.
2.) It's a cross I have to bear. And unfortunately... you know, it's a long road that I will have to carry this cross down. But I could think of worse things to be. I.E... a French person in Montreal.
No, where I came from, and the times that I grew up in, it was best not to have any ambitions. It was quite a bleak time.
I never had a life goal until I wrote "Live Forever." And then when I wrote "Live Forever," I wanted to be in the biggest band in the world.
Well - dogs in hats and sunglasses - there is NOTHING funnier than a dog in a hat.
Ehm - I don't know. My sense of humor, I don't know. It's Irish, it must've been passed down to me from somebody in Ireland.
No.
Eh - do I have any advice for you attendin'?
If you could find the time to buy some merchandise, that'd be great. A t-shirt preferably, maybe a poster, ideally a t-shirt AND a poster would be GREAT.
Other than that, just clap in all the right places, and you know, don't shout out stupid fucking song titles.
Hmmm.
I guess it must be.
Oh yeah. Absolutely.
Then what better reason for not playing it? Hehehehe.
chuckles
I pretty much just answered that question about 20 minutes ago. It's a song called "Don't Stop..."
I've already recorded it. It didn't make it onto "Chasing Yesterday" because it sounded a bit too much like what was already on the first High Flying Birds album.
But it will be released, in, you know... soon!
Whooooooo.
I couldn't say with any great sense of certainty, because it changes every day for me, but I'm going to say the song "Rock & Roll Star" because it sums up everything about bein' young, and bein' in a band, and the hopes and dreams of, you know, a young land from Manchester.
And it's a fucking great song.
It feels good to be one of the last rockstars.
If in fact, that's what I am.
And from what I've heard of the new Blur album, it sounds pretty good.
I think there will be more dates, but not 'til 2016.
Tayto.
Curlywurly. From the fridge.
Oh wow! Well, I would high-five you back on 'er behalf. She's a fitness fanatic my wife. She's fucking gorgeous.
Tears for Fears.
Ooooh!
"Rusholme Ruffians." "The Queen is Dead." "There is a light that never goes out." "These Things Take Time." "Rubber Ring." And "Asleep."
Amongst others.
No.
I learnt song-writin' by ear and instinct. I've never studied musical theory. I would never allow myself or any of my children to study musical theory. Because if you study musical theory, you will eventually end up soundin' like...shit.
Hahaha.
Eh - I go to Manchester to see my football team, Manchester City. When I go there, I love it. I usually spend about 2 or 3 nights there, at a time, and it's great, but London has become my home. And it's where I will probably stay from now on.
Yes. I believe... it's pencilled in... although don't quote me on this... for March 2016.
I don't play video games.
I have a life. And that life is too short for video games.
Some of my band play video games on tour. It drives me up the fucking wall. And it's one of the main reasons why I'll probably fire the fucking lot of them on this tour.
Ooooh!
Burgers.
Burgers. Mexican food, 'cuz we don't get good Mexican food in England, and there's great Mexican food in America.
And hot dogs.
The hot dog sandwich.
ponders
Ennio Morricone is the only one that springs to mind. I've seen 'im twice in the last five years. And his music does bring a tear to my eye. I think he's a genius. Like me.
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His ribs were broken in Toronto and he holds no grudge there! 
Nov 4, 2024 5:04:30 GMT -5
Nov 4, 2024 5:04:30 GMT -5