The Quick Present and Chilly Ft star shares his lifelong musical obsessions…
Who had been your musical heroes rising up?
I cherished John Barry as I’m a giant Bond fan. There was a twenty fifth anniversary double-gatefold James Bond album and I adored that. I used to hearken to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service again and again. I cherished quite a lot of composers, like Lalo Schifrin, Henry Mancini and Quincy Jones – he’s finished a couple of soundtracks.
Who had been your favorite pop bands as a youngster?
In all probability my favorite band rising up was Earth, Wind & Hearth, I simply adore them. But in addition Degree 42. I like their Stay At Wembley album, however notably take pleasure in their first stuff, too, like The Early Tapes. Right here’s a joke: Degree 42 had been company on The Quick Present on the ‘Anybody fancy a pint?’ sketch, and within the inexperienced room on the BBC, Mark King was there.
He was restringing his bass and took the previous string off and I stated, “Can I’ve it?” and he was like, “What on earth would you need that for?” and I stated I used to be a giant fan. So we acquired chatting and we’ve been pals ever since. I’ve all the time acquired a ticket if they arrive to Manchester. I like bands the place they’ve a excessive degree of musicianship and Mark’s probably the greatest bass gamers on this planet.
Had been you into indie in any respect?
I all the time cherished soul and by no means understood individuals who favored indie, ‘cos it was fairly mournful and unhappy. It’s simply a kind of issues I’ve by no means been into, like The Smiths or Pleasure Division – these bands that you would write onto a canvas bag. Folks used to do this on canvas baggage, didn’t they? I’m positive that’s why Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Darkish was abbreviated to OMD, so it’d match on.
Are there any songs that you simply keep in mind dancing to again within the 80s?
I keep in mind once we went to discos, pre-drinking, there have been sure songs that actually hit residence with me. One game-changer that all the time acquired me as much as dance was Herbie Hancock’s Rockit. Additionally M’s Pop Muzik actually excited me and Shannon’s Let The Music Play.
What was your first single?
This Is Mine by Heaven 17, as a result of I cherished the brass association on it. It nonetheless works for me now, as does Temptation. They’re cracking tracks.
Your favorite pop album?
I actually adore Love And Dancing by The Human League, underneath the title League Limitless, the place it’s all remixes of their hits.
Do you go to gigs or festivals a lot?
I used to love the Model New Heavies and Jamiroquai and all of the acid jazz stuff. There’s none of that music coming by means of anymore, it’s a disgrace. So there’s not many individuals I wish to see. It’s just like the lineup at festivals, aside from Love Supreme, it simply appals me! I’ve by no means been one to purchase into the indie scene, ‘cos that’s what festivals are primarily. One of the best gig I’ve been to lately was Bruno Mars at Manchester Enviornment. I’m going to quite a lot of gigs as a result of I’ve acquired two daughters. I’ve seen Little Combine, who’re fairly good, and The Saturdays who had been alright.
What do you hearken to if you wish to loosen up?
‘Cos I’m sober now I like chillout music akin to Zero 7 and Alex Cortiz. I take pleasure in that type of stuff, notably within the automobile, as a result of I could be a little bit of sizzling head behind the wheel!
