by geordierussell » 6th Jun 07, 22:25
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Ginger answers your questions..
Current mood: working
Below is an exclusive 'Ask Ginger' blog. All the questions came from the the fine folks at the Wildhearts message board which can be found here.
There is also a new 'Ask Scott' section which has just gone up on the Wildhearts website here!
Questions in black, Gingers in red!
Orient asks
In 10 years time you're having a heart to heart with Jake, you ask him what he would like to do with his future...he responds in one of two scenarios...which do you prefer?
a) "I'm going to study hard, become a doctor, buy a nice sensible semi with a white picket fence, get married and buy a labrador whilst ensuring that I am financially secure for the rest of my life"
b) "I'm going to be a rockstar with no fixed abode, travelling the world and living every day like it's my last..."
The first option. Unless he's studying to be a gynecologist he won't encounter as many cunts as if he tries to be a rock star.
Jimnasty asks
Do you play the piano? would you ever consider hanging up the guitar for one album and trying something a little twee or arty (in the vein of Brian Wilson, Divine Comedy, Antony and Johnsons etc) or do you think your reputation and (sometimes cliched) image in the rock press as a hard-living heavy-riffing axe-wielder would stop such a project from having credibility?
I'd rather do both. I like too much music to limit my songwriting to one style.
I don't play piano as well as I'd like, and I'm taking lessons to recitfy that soon.
Owen asks
how come on half the songs from your 40th birthday party were released, and do you plan to release the other half?
We were limited for time and the other tracks would have taken longer to mix as they contained mistakes and glitches. What you have are the songs that sounded most 'finished' on tape. The rest will be available soon as a 'full show' recording.
Piedude asks
Now that you can release whatever you want whenever you want with your own record company, does that increase the chances of the second SG5 album seeing the light of day?
With the second SG5 album it's more of a case of having every member together, and if we could get every member together then we could record a Sonic Circus album, so I can't see another SG5 album being a serious concern...but you never know.
EvilNeil asks
1)Now Ritch is back in the fold, can we expect any Endless, Nameless stuff live? More specifically, 'Genius Penis'??
2)Although having Ritch back in the band is like a dream come true for me, innate curiosity has led me to wonder what happened to Stidi. Did he leave or was he booted out?
3)My last question is why get a new bass player when you had two perfectly good ones to choose from? I know Danny had his problems, which may have contributed to his sudden absence from the band, but why is John no longer part of the wildies??
(1) I'd love to play Genius Penis, but like any drummer he hates singing.
(2) Ritch is the drummer for The Wildhearts, even Stidi would agree.
(3) Scott is perfect for the band. Even Jon would agree.
Sam asks
Whats your favourite guitar solo that you've written?
Pet Sounds or Revolver?
What's the craziest thing you've done when off your tits?
(1) I never write guitar solos, I just make them up on the spot.
(2) Revolver
(3) Burn 60 cigarrettes into my arm. Nearly had to have it amputated.
Geordierussell asks
What do you think of Steel Wheels in Newcastle selling a promo copy of the new album on e-bay, in advance of the actual release date?
Pretty stupid of them to get caught.
Nickinvincible asks
When you've written a song, do you have an idea in your head of what band it might suit - SG5, WH, solo etc, and then hold it back for that next record? Or is it more that, when you're writing say a SG5 album, you are in a more glam rock kinda 'zone', and so the songs you write at that time just come out in that style?
I just keep songs in my head floating around, then pull them out for whatever project I'm writing for.
Skychaserhigh asks
In the download release of the sweetest song are the beeps a joke or a necessity for legal reasons ?
They are a joke.
Superjake asks
With all the changing of styles in your solo albums, any thoughs on releasing a Metal album in the near future?
I don't really like metal.
Davejnick asks
There's an incredible book about the Wildhearts just waiting to be written. Any plans to do it, or to get someone else to?
What did Tweety Pie and the Thunderbirds ever do to you?
I tried and I failed. Maybe someone could write it one day but I really don't care as some stories should remain whispered.
Tweety Pie is an annoying little cunt and the Thiunderbirds walk funny. And I hate anything who's head is too big for it's body, which is the case for both of them.
Soundog asks
The verse riff in The Sweetest Song is played somewhat like 5/8, 5/8, 6/8, adding up to 16 to match the straight beat underneath (I'm not terribly educated in music theory, so I hope this made sense), which also reminded me of some rhythmic trickery in Nexus Icon. What I want to know is... how on earth do you arrive there? Did you just play it and it turns out like that? Or did you think "Now let's mix in some weirdness..." or did it come together while working on the song with the band?
It just comes out like that. Glad you noticed.
Whatevermort asks
Why, in God's name, haven't you recorded Beer For Breakfast properly yet? That song is absolutely storming. So, I guess this might be: Where's that second SG5 album? I want some superb, stomping production on this and WLAM.
I never rule out anything, but to be honest I'd like to get away from singing if I could.
Damian asks
So... where did the title "And The Spencers Can Poke Out" come from?
It came from the lips of CJ.
Why so few new songs on the tour? Please note: this isn't a complaint - the Bristol show was brilliant.
People didn't know the album well enough. It was too much of a risk puting in too many new songs for risk of ruining the vibe.
Pete asks
I just wondered if you get a This is a classic feel when you write a song or does it take loads of re writes before it hits you.
I think The hard way sounds like a classic already.
I never know. I didn't even want to put The Hard Way on the album. If I hate the song chances are others will love it.
Robdj asks
How is the charity idea developing?
Very slowly. Too slowly. There is just so much to do and I need more hours in the day, or someone to help. The problem will never go away so I guess it can wait another few month.
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for Ginger.
Don't forget to buy tickets for the Wildhearts show on Gingers Birthday (17th December 2007) which can be bought here.
