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This interview was given on Nov 19th, 1996 in The EDGE studios in Toronto, a couple hours prior to the Intimate and Interactive Much Music appearance. Kim Hughes: Gavin and Robin. Hey, guys...hello, thank you for coming. Gavin Rossdale: I thought it was like a remote control there...(everyone there stops screaming all at once, thus his comment). KH: Gavin, welcome back to our studios. Robin, nice to see you again, thank you for coming. Robin Goodridge: Hi. GR: Thank you. RG: Oh, my headphones just freaked out on me. KH: There is... GR: Is Sasha Morrison in the crowd? She painted this really pretty thing. Look Nick. RG: Ahh! GR: Winston KH: Very nice. GR: Anyway, sorry KH: So, congratulations with the album. We're thrilled that you've decided to spend the album's release here in Toronto. We're very grateful for that. And, uh, let's talk about... GR: Weird though isn't it? KH: Why? Is it? GR: No, I don't know. I'm glad, but it's got to be somewhere, hasn't it? KH: I suppose. We're just thrilled that it's here in Canada and we like to think of ourselves as a kinder gentler people. So hopefully we'll prove that by our getting you out the door. So right off the top, there was some contention about the article. Should we deal with it and then move on, or... Rg: Yeah, sure. KH: I've read it. We're talking about the SPIN article. It's perhaps a contentious headline on the front but you don't have a problem with it, do you? GR: It's just like I didn't need to turn up for the interview. It's got nothing to do with my life whatsoever. Life is hard for everyone but it's not really as easy as it makes out in there. So, it's just like when you meet someone for lunch and they just kind of do a little bit of armchair psychology on you. It's not so good. He could have asked me about ? part and he never asked me one question, but figures he knows, so there you go. KH: I'm frankly surprised that you would subject yourselves to print interviews at all, at this stage, given the fact that you haven't exactly had much support from the print medium in the past. GR: You have made a really good point. And ahh... (laughs) RG: We had a meeting that, ironically enough, we had actually had a guy, the editor of this magazine, came and met us and begged us to do this article and we said "..Listen mate, we know you don't like us, why do you want us to be in your magazine?" And he said "Oh, I don't hate you any more, I really...your album, it's grown it's grown..." and we're like "oh well we'll give you the benefit of the doubt" and that's what he does, so you know... GR: We want you to sell copies is what he said. RG: Yeah, yeah, yeah, so you know... GR: We had to fight to get the rest of the band on the cover. They only wanted me on the cover. So we had to fight. We wouldn't do it if it wasn't me, uh, if it was me alone, just me on the cover. But anyway, enough of SPIN KH: Yeah. Let's not talk about SPIN. Let's talk about the album. The last time you were here you were very excited about the sessions. Talking about working with Steve Albini (SA) who is an interesting guy. And I'm wondering before you actually decided to work with him, had you approached anyone else? GR: No, he was our #1 choice. KH: Was he? GR: Yeah, totally. KH: Is he a man who is particularly pre-occupied with sonics, things like mike placement in the studios...or do those things take alot of his time. RG: He's a purist. He has a case of microphones that he carried with him, like 48. That's what he does, he uses rooms. We did most of our recording in Abbey Road. GR: (interrupts)...in a room RG: He uses the room though. Some people spend their entire life trying to avoid the sound of the room that you're in. And he uses it to enhance the music. So people go wow, it really sounds like you guys are playing together in a room. How do you get that sound? The simple answer is that we were really playing together in a room. KH: Interesting b/c I think Daniel Lanois has made a similar observation about bands and just using the acoustics as they exist and working with that framework. RG: Yeah, otherwise, the drummer's in the broom cupboard, one of the guitar amps is out in the corridor and this kind of stuff and they wonder why it sounds so separated and detached from each other and Steve's like no just leave it alone. Just play together in a room and I'll fix it...or I won't fix it, I'll just record it and that's what he does, very, very well. KH: Just before we play some music from it and there's lots to play, but, there is this old cliche that I'm sure you are aware of, you know...Bands have 18 years to write their first album and 18 months to write their second. And to an extent it takes on a new dimension with your band b/c in the period b/t the last album and this one, it was non-stop touring for you, so it suggests that you've very comfortable with writing on the road and being able to filter those experiences through. GR: Well, first off is that when I started in the band I didn't carry any songs from before so they were all fresh songs for 16stone. I didn't carry songs for a long time. The oldest songs was 2 years old, since the band began and with this I had about 5 weeks to write and I didn't write much on the road. I find it hard on the road so I just got it together. I'm pretty shocked we recorded 20 songs. So I guess I wrote 20 songs so it's pretty...whatever. There it is. KH: Good answer. RG: (Laughs) ---------Break-------- KH: I would imagine that a band of your status must get approached a lot to do things like benefit discs or benefit concerts. GR: Yeah, yeah; a lot of pro-choice stuff. It's hard for us, ah, we did involved in too much. But, pro-choice is something we work with and we help them when we can. We've yet to do a gig for them. But we shall b/c it is a human issue. I think...but yeah, it's a good position to be in when you can do something with the fact that people know you and stuff. Kh: But it's an interesting point b/c I don't think that...I mean, a group like Elastica, not to single them out, but they seem to turn up on every soundtrack and benefit album. RG: It's cause they never go out on tour so they've got more time to record stuff and get on with it. GR: No, they usually use the same songs. RG & GR: (laughs) KH: But respect to the politics in one's own country. I mean I think in the case of pro-choice, you might be able to argue that it's somewhat more universal issue. Rg: Yeah. GR: Yeah, but as far as like politics, you have to be really careful b/c we're like guests in all the countries we go to. So you can't tell people you know what ? to get, how to run their country, you got to let people decide, a lot of people here as well. RG: And we're all deciding. KH: They are all deciding. GR: Definitely deciding to be here right? KH: I don't mean to put you on the spot but you're quite outspoken about... smoking dope. It's like something that you do. But I should suspect that while it's a free choice.... GR: It's definitely illegal. KH:...well you could be inviting some... GR: I don't write about it. I don't talk about it. I think those kinds of things are really personal and I don't advocate that kind of stuff, you know what I mean? It's really a tricky area, that one. I don't want to get sort of hassled every time I breathe or turn up in a country. So I have to be really careful with that kind of stuff. I think music is the greatest drug. Kh: How eloquently spoken. To an extent, there has been some disparity. You mentioned selling 50,000 copies of the last record. I'm assuming you are talking in England and there has been some disparity in the amount you have sold here in N.A. and overseas. Do you have a strategy to try and shore that up a little bit or ahh... RG: We can actually redress that. Surprisingly, we've just come back from Australia and New Zealand and Japan. And believe it or not, we're actually like double platinum in Australia and New Zealand. The stories, the hearsay, has gone, a lot of the information is like over 9 months old. And if we were to have this conversation, oh yeah, we've actually been to Australia and New Zealand and we're actually sold 120,000 albums, which is double platinum and we couldn't really call that a bad percentage or we're not leaning hips so heavy toward America as we were at he beginning of our career. It was just that N.A. was the first to get involved with us. Now we've been to Australia and places like that, they're all catching up you know, it was only a matter of information really. You can't be everywhere. KH: Does video have the same impact, let's say, in Asia or continental Europe that is has in N.A.? GR: Yeah, their TVs there are the same size... KH:(laughs) RG: (laughs)...they have terrible TV in Australia. It is the worst... GR: Probably better in Australia, 'cause they have nothing to watch on TV, where some places you may have choice. RG: 50 channels GR: Australian TV is pretty crap. RG: Massive. The video thing in like Taiwan and Thailand is their only source of music. It's like AsianMTV or whatever they call it over there. So the video is the only medium 'cause the radio stations, there's not so many of them, they don't really exist. It's written word or video. GR: How cool would it be if you could take something that could make you feel...like so, you had the best night's sleep you've ever had? (the audience at this point goes ahhhhh....you know the sound you make when you see little puppies or their equivalent.) KH: I thought we weren't going to talk about that kind of stuff on the radio. GR: Oh no, I mean prescription stuff. KH: Not that stuff. Different stuff. GR: I don't mean that. Oh no, I didn't mean anything like that. I just mean when you feel really good. I just feel like I'm flaking here. Oh sorry anyway, what were you saying? RG: I don't know what I was saying. you lost me now. -----Break--- Questions from listeners/audience: KH: First up is Kristen, hi. Say hi to BUSH. Kristen: Hi RG: Hello, Kristen. Kristen: I was just wondering what inspired Swallow? GR: It's called Swallowed with a 'd' in it. But, what inspired me to write it? I don't know. In fact, what happened, I'd just done this other song...?...a weird song and it didn't quite work out with the band and I wanted to write an easier song so I sort of sat down and tried to write a simple song as opposed to trying to write a difficult song. So I was lucky enough to kind of write that one pretty quick, sort of popped out, spat it out Kristen: It's the best song I've ever heard. GR & RG: ahhhhhh.... RG: And may you hear many more. GR: Steve Albini thought it was the only turkey on the record. RG: He hated it, that's what he said. GR: It's the only turkey (this is funny cause Gavin dropped the Brit accent and said it with an American accent.) RG: I just don't get that song. KH: Is that why you chose it as the first single?...in defiance... GR: It was the first single I wrote for the record so it was the easiest bridge in between the 2 records and it just worked out like that, in fact, Robin was the one that said I bet that'll be the first single and then, you know, it turned out it was. KH: And Albini's not the type of guy to keep things under his hat. I've read quotes from him that ? about things that he's said about Urge Overkill that have just made your hair curl. RG: Yeah. GR: He's not a mincer of words, he does let you know how he feels. RG: And he does it in the studios too, it's really funny to work with someone who just goes...you guys are really crap at the moment... GR: When did he say that? RG: He said it to me, maybe you didn't... KH: Maybe you were having a good time... RG: Maybe you were....(laughs) KH: We have another caller. Her name is Angela, hello Angela: Hi, Mr. Rossdale. RG: Mr. Rossdale! GR: You can call me Gavin, you can call me Gavin, it's ok Angela: Hi Gavin, I was just wondering, you know that part in Machinehead where your voice is really soft in the middle, I was wondering, what do you say there? GR: soft where? RG: in the middle section. GR: Oh, that's a little bit from "Howl", it's a poem by Alan Ginsberg and it says, "I've seen the best minds of my generation..." and the rest is "..seen starving, hysterical and naked." And I've got in there "fixed eyeball", which is a little of Ginsberg, a little bit of me at the end 'cause I don't think the "fix eyeball" is his, but I certainly kind of borrowed best minds of my generation, so there goes, to Alan. KH: And actually Alan Ginsberg was in Toronto last week and he's got a new book of poetry out, so... RG: He's not with Sarah Ferguson by any chance, is he? (laughter all around) GR: They're going out together, sucking each other's toes... RG: Steady GR: I did read an interview with her, with Fergie the other day, someone got me the Sunday newspaper and I would say I feel really bad about the way she's been treated by the English Press and been really in a really really horrrible way. I hope she comes out of it. I like the way she calls the Royal family the Firm. I thought that was really funny, so I wish her all the luck. KH: I don't know why anyone would want to marry into a family like that anyway, it would seem so restrictive... RG: Why would anyone want to marry Andrew, that should be question number 1. Gr: I never realised that when they got married that he had to go away 2 weeks after for...they would only see each other 40 days a year, cause he'd be on a ship the rest of the time with the boys. KH: Not necessarily a bad thing, but just, you know . GR: Well, if or when I get married I'd like to spend more than just 40 days with my wife. So that's a strain on anyone; only human, right. KH: I'll direct your attention to our crowd. We have a couple questions lined up. First is Jasmine. Jasmine: Hi, can you hear me? Sorry Gavin, you must have known me from Sam's when you first met me before...in that past, before these people knew you existed, and what I was going to say deals with... GR: Thanks for your support earlier then. Jasmine: The thing with the pin-up boy though...you talk about credibility and things when you have all this power, why are you bitching about like "no one takes us seriously" cause you have all this power to go up and say no GR: No, no, we didn't say that. The guy Robert Love wrote that on the article, so you should get your facts straight, someone else wrote that, we didn't say that... Jasmine:...the whole promotional thing, why can't you just come in like any normal band and just leave, why does it have to be this whole bullshit. All this promotional stuff is just milking it in... GR: Well, you're here. What are you doing here? (audience screams) There are people outside who'd prefer to be in, if you don't want to be here. 'Cause we make an effort and we like the fact that people like us, you know. It's always been difficult with critics with us b/c they didn't like that fact that they didn't need people. If you checked your facts about us, we've always played clubs; we came up through people and people just liked our record being played on the radio, and that's the way it worked, and people didn't like us. For 18 months SPIN hated us and they decided to put us on the cover 'cause they sell more copies of that. So, I think it's about dealing with real people. We won the Viewer's Choice Award in America for MTV b/c they like us. I really don't care about critics. It says in there don't hate them 'cause he's beautiful; well 7 million people don't hate us, so... Jasmine: But that doesn't hurt the fact that they consider you attractive. It's a lot easier for a guy to be considered attractive. I mean, if I went up there and they put a lot of makeup on me, I'm sure I would be beautiful too. GR: I'm sure you're beautiful RG: Yeah, but you would have to write some songs as well KH: OK GR: Thanks a lot. Jasmine: Take care though. I hope you guys don't turn out to be New Kids On The Block b/c you guys are pretty good and I do respect the band but just take care. GR: And you too. KH: ok, moving right along, we'll do one more here and... GR: It's alright, she's entitled to her opinion, it's cool. KH: The floor now goes to Scott, hello. Scott: How you doing guys? Great first album, by the way. I just wanted to know... GR: You're not related to that last girl are you? RG: He's her brother. Scott: Not at all, not at all . GR: Like did people appreciate the fact that we do come out and do this. You know what I mean? (audience screams) We don't feel above our audience Scott: I just wanted to know what's the best song you've never written? GR: Wow. KH: Good question. GR: No Woman, No Cry RG: Yeah, Bob Marley GR: Anything by Bob Marley (audience screams) I guess, we don't have enough time to go into it, but there are tonnes... Scott: Yeah, Bob's great. KH: Let's play another song, since you guys are on a schedule. GR: And we are actually playing tonight. I don't know where that girl is going but we are physically playing tonight. RG: We aren't just here to chat. KH: But we're really glad that you came and an open forum is always a healthy one. RG: Oh, yeah, it's great. KH: There is a great quote that no one ever learns something from someone who agrees with them, so there. -----BREAK----- KH: We might just mention that the band is doing an I&I this evening in MuchMusic which I'm sure you will enjoy. In esteemed company, I was just telling Robin that Neil Young had done something similar which was... RG: Don't tell Nigel, he'll wet himself... KH...pretty cool. GR: Did he come here as well? KH: He did not, alas. But we'll get him next time. So I don't know if you're in a position, but I have it on good authority that there will be a major tour, and that will perhaps bring you back to Toronto in the Feb. time...that's what I've heard... GR&RG: March, April time GR: Feb.'s in Europe. RG: Maybe a bit later cause it's really cold. KH: Yeah. RG: We want to follow the sun. KH: Tell me about it Robin. RG: We want to follow the sun and if we can, we will but we will be here, we'll guarantee you that. I mean, we didn't spend much time last time so, we'll pay you back on the second album. KH: We're thrilled that you decided to be with us today. Thank you so much and best of luck with the new album and next time you're in Toronto, please come by. GR: Definitely. RG: As always, reserve our seats. Many thanks to Latoya for transcribing this. |