We’d like to know a little bit about you for our files, but we don’t like regurgitating press releases or asking the easy questions. At Tone Deaf we only ask the tough questions, so just hold still, grit your teeth, clench your buttocks and be still while we put on the rubber gloves, apply the thumbscrews, and pull out our thermometer while you open up and say ahhhhhhhhhhh… Truthful answers only or we drink your rider while you’re on stage.
We don’t want to know about the painfully hip bands your press release says you’re influenced by. Take us back to your bedroom when you were 14. What band posters did you have on the wall?
a: Well I guess you’re wanting me to say things like take that but at 14 I was really in to the whole Brit pop thing. Bands like Blur, Pulp, Elastica etc. Sorry I couldn’t have said something less cool!
Take us back to the first gig you went to. Where was it and what was the venue?
a: I remember the first big gig I saw when I was about 15 was the Stones at Wembley Stadium. The size of it completely blew my mind! I remember losing my mates and ended up dancing around with a group of Germans – an experience I won’t forget!
Have you ever been arrested? Where were you, and what was it for?
a; I’m not proud of it but yes. I was arrested for the possession of cannabis when I was about 18 . At the time there was a lot of talk about it being legalized in the UK. So much so that a few cafe’s were opening up around the place. For some reason the cops couldn’t close them down straight away so instead they just waited outside and arrested idiots like me walking out with a joint in their mouth….. Not my finest moment!
What’s been the worst day job you’ve ever had?
a: I worked in a glass cutting factory. It drained the light from my soul and everything that was good in this world started to fade. Sorry, a touch melodramatic maybe ?!
Tomorrow’s payday, so we’ve only got $20 to get you drunk. Where do we go and what do we buy with it?
a: well with $20 I’d say it would have to be some Goon ?! I still find it funny that it is called goon here…. Actually now I come to think of it, it’s only funny when you’ve drunk loads of it already.
What’s your favorite record store? In Aus or overseas? Can we find any of your releases there?
a: There is a shop in my hometown of Brighton called resident records . I love it because it’s not the type of place that hate you if you’re not buying some rare b side and the guys who work there really know their shit with out being arse-holes.
What’s the furtherest you’d go to win over a new fan?
a: Blackmail
Right, now that you’ve virtually admitted in public that you’re actually not very cool, here’s your chance to plug your upcoming gigs and releases. – go for it.
a: well if anyone is still reading , I’m touring throughout Feb all over Australia with Old Man River which should be fun and I’m about to start work on the next record.
Passenger play the 6th Annual Between the Bays Festival on the Saturday, 26th February 2011. Buy tickets here
