Complication # 8 - Yakuza + Schillachi

Complication # 7 - Large Mound

www.myspace.com/largemound

Complication # 6 - The Dudley Corporation + Panda Kopanda

Complication goes live again - Friday 14th September @ Laverys Bunker Belfast Live music from The Dudley Corporation (Dublin) and Panda Kopanda (Belfast) Doors 9pm £5 Please Note - EARLY SHOW!!! First band 9:30pm Second band 10:30pm Lets go!

Mark Lanegan Interview

Mark Lanegan is another musical hero, much like Greg Dulli below. They're two of my favourite singers and they are due to release a joint album next year under the name of The Gutter Twins. I've been waiting for that album for years but in the meantime I thought I'd post this interview me and Gav did with Mark after his first Belfast gig at The Empire a few years ago. Another of my favourite interviews as Mark turned out to a dead on fella. Enjoy...

With the Screaming Trees Mark Lanegan produced some of the most soulful straight up rock music of the last ten years. Now solo, he continues to kick out the psychedelic jams backed by various ex-members of Queens Of The Stone Age and Dinosaur Jr as well as exploring jazz, soul and gospel all in that awesome voice of his, the kind of voice that separates a million and one shitty bands like Nickelback, Creed and Staind from well, this guy although good music helps too obviously. This interview took place in two parts, part one was conducted by a whole bunch of people in the street and part two by Jamesy and Gavin on the bus but for a more cohesive reading experience I just chopped them all up into one. Thanks to everyone who helps us pester rock legends on the streets of Belfast. It’s really just a bunch of music fans taking about music, but it’s only right and natural…

So Mark, did you enjoy the gig tonight?

Yeah, I loved it. I’d love to come back soon.

And have you seen much of Belfast?

I saw that big Government building with all the Christmas/New Years lights on it. I went for a walk down the street but I hadn’t been here too long before I had to come to work. I liked the look of the whole town although I didn’t hardly get a chance to see any of it, y’know we just came in today and then we leave. But I’ve always wanted to come to Ireland in general so it’s quite a thrill for me. My grandparents are from here and I don’t think anyone from my family ever did come back here except for me.

OK, obvious question, Screaming Trees, what happened?

We just broke up man, 15 years is a long time for anything but the real truth of the matter is that we broke up a hundred times, more probably, I think every other day for all those years because we were a volatile bunch, y’know the brothers they have wives and kids and houses and I’m doing this. It was just one of those natural things. How old are you guys?25 and 23? I turned 37 yesterday, spend 15 years together and then ask me again, because you guys?probably won’t know each other then no matter how good friends you are now. That’s just what happens when you get older I think. Y’know especially for guys who travel around doing this, because it’s a natural thing. And we did everything we wanted to do in that time, more than we ever though we would do.

But it’s still something that you feel you have to do, or just enjoy doing?

It’s all I ever have done since I was younger than you guys, and I don’t know what else I would do, I’m not suited for nuthin’ else except for things that aren’t…uh…socially acceptable.

Do you think you are enjoying it more know than in the early days?

I enjoyed it quite a bit in the early days, I’ve always enjoyed it.

I heard there was a Screaming Trees album knocking about that wasn’t released?

We actually recorded a double album in 1998 with Mike Watt playing bass on it that never came out so maybe someone’s got tapes of that but I don’t know what happened to it. We just decided not to put it out, we didn’t like it. I don’t have copies of any of my records, especially the ones that never came out, I just have to much stuff to carry around with me.

As you can see we haven’t really prepared this we just thought we’d do it off the cuff for the fanzine…

Yeah, yeah, I like that spirit, I appreciate that. I think a fanzine is a really cool endeavour. You guys must really love music to do something like that. That’s why I still do it too, because music gave me a life. Y’know when you’re a kid and you love music and you love to do what you guys do, you probably feel exactly like me and hopefully you’ll always do it because there’s nothing better than doing something in music and I think it’s good for people alright?

Right! You talk a lot about whiskey, what's your favourite whiskey?

Me? Now? I don't drink whiskey anymore uh-uh.

What's your favourite record then?

You guys are putting me on the spot. I got too many, can you name just one? Can you name even five?

Maybe…

Yeah but the minute you get done naming them five you're going to think of about 50 more. I love a lot of records, nothing I could say I loved more than anything else. There's a few, maybe "Black Sabbath Vol.4"

It's funny you should mention that as the standard Nova Wreck interview question is to ask about Black Sabbath.

You like 'em? (eyebrow raised suspiciously)

Hell yeah!

That's good.

Any other musicians you admire?

Well, you've got the greats. People like Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Willy Nelson. Again there's too many to name y'know?

What about Tom Waits?

I think it's a great blessing that Tom Waits is on the earth. Does that answer your question? Although I'm not his greatest fan for some reason. It's cool that he's there y'know what I mean, there's a difference. I totally appreciate him but I don't necessarily like it. My girlfriend likes him a lot so I have to hear him all the time anyway.

Did you ever listen to Billy Childish or The Headcoats at all?

Yeah, but do you know what's even better than his music is his poetry. It’s amazing. They just put out this really amazing compilation in the states called "I'd Rather You Lied" It's taken from all across his poetry career. It's good shit.

Yeah, we saw him just last week.

Wow! Doing music yeah?

Music and poetry. He was brilliant, really honest…

Cool.

What is it about Gospel music that inspires you?A friend of mine has all these Gospel records and makes me these CDs and that's all I've been listening to these last couple of days. The singing on them is just incredible y'know, these guys today think they can fucking sing, it's embarrassing. When you hear that shit you don't even want to sing. The singing on that shit is just outrageous.

Do you like Spiritualized?

Do I like sports?

Spiritualized!

Oh, I like sports better than I like Spiritualized. One of my favourite records of all time is “The Perfect Prescription” (Spaceman 3) so I’ve always had a soft spot for Spiritualised even though Spaceman kicks the living shit out Spiritualized but don’t fucking quote me on that. Jasons’ a nice guy and I don’t want him to think I’m dissing his thing but y’know the whole rest of the world loves him so fuck it.

Did you ever hear a tune called "Dragnet For Jesus" by Sister Winona Carr?

Uh-Uh.

If you like Gospel or Soul music you should get that record. It's amazing.

Yeah, I'll check it out.

Do you still live in Seattle?

No, I've been living in LA for several years.

What is it about Seattle that produces such soulful singers?

I don't know man, I just figured they were ripping me off. I never thought about it man.Ha-Ha!

Have you any questions for us?

Yeah, where's all the crack and the hookers at?

Ahh, you've missed them they all go home at 10 O' clock.

Wow, they actually keep hours in this town.

Y'know that big government building with all the lights on? That's where you'll find the hookers. You gotta go to another town for crack. Is your tour taking you through Ballymena? That's where the crack is.

The hookers are in this neighbourhood? I ain't seen any hookers 'round here. I need cheap hookers man because I ain't got much money.

I'm sure if you tell them what you do they'll give you a discount.

Yeah, I'm sure! That's never helped me before, that means they think I have money.

What do your tattoos stand for? (four stars tattooed across the knuckles)It stands for youthful indiscretion.

Really? Over here it means "All Cops Are Bastards"

Oh, Jesus!

You'd better stay out of sight man, stay on the bus.

Yeah I will. It's been nice talking to you guys.