In which AF reveals the sonic delights guaranteed to get him going...
What music are you currently grooving to?
I’m always buying music, following up recommendations or reviews. So, currently I’ve gone back and rediscovered the
Kyoto Jazz Massive,
Anne Briggs and
ESG. I’m also listening to the
Ghostpoet album,
Kraftwerk, &
Neu. As well as the
Arctic Monkeys and
Miles Kane albums to cover off the suited & booted mod rock angle.
What, if push comes to shove is your all time favourite album?
I always say it is most probably
All Mod Cons by
The Jam, it had such a strong influence on me at the time and opened me up to poetry, love, feedback, Rickenbackers and a healthy dose of cynicism. Although on any given day it could be
Fabulous by
Prince Buster,
Y by
The Pop Group or
Sextet by
ACR.
What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?
I bought two
T.Rex 7” singles at the same time from upstairs at Boots in Eastbourne.
20th Century Boy &
Solid Gold Easy Action, both had the red & blue matching sleeve & label with Marc Bolan's face on it. Top tunes!
Which musician have you wanted to be?
For too many years I had a rather unhealthy obsession with all things
Paul Weller (he was like the elder brother I didn’t have). But since growing up a little and appreciating musicians for other than their wardrobe I would be quite happy being
Johnny Marr or
Morrissey,
Damon Albarn or
Graham Coxon,
Joe Strummer or
Slim Gaillard,
Bert Jansch,
Mark E Smith or
Wild Billy Childish or any member of
A Certain Ratio.
What do you sing in the shower?
Often a hotchpotch of nonsense, sort of
Kurt Schwitters meets
The Temptations. Failing that I often sing;
Human Touch by
Pocketsize,
Sunset Coming On by
Albarn on
Mali Music plus a mangled version of either
Louie Louie or
Fever.
What is your favourite Saturday night record?
Don’t make me wait by
The Peech Boys makes me feel damn funky,
Louie Louie never fails to gee me up and
Capital Radio by
The Clash has a similar effect!
And your Sunday morning record?
Sunday Morning by
The Velvets of course. Or more likely a heavy blast of reggae especially;
Augustus Pablo,
Linton Kwesi Johnson or
Reggae Chartbusters vol 2 (
Longshot,
It mek,
Reggae in your jeggae etc).
Concorde by
Modern Jazz Quartet is in the mix too, but most probably better on a Monday morning!
(Thank you to Mojo Magazine for allowing the reproduction of this interview).
The sad news came through recently that Q magazine is finally giving up the battle against a diminishing circulation and the vast change in the musical landscape. I was fortunate enough to work for a good number of years for EMAP (the publisher's of Q) and much fun indeed was had at their sometimes infamous awards parties.
