- What are your influences?
I work hard not to have any influences. It’s a world full of copies – the most important thing is to be original.
- How has the music scene changed since you first started? Has it changed for the better?
I started in the punk era, which was a reaction against a bloated and self-satisfied music scene. These days it’s even worse and we could really do with a movement like punk to bring music back to what it’s supposed to be all about.
- Where did you get inspiration for the songs on the record?
I just looked around. There are so many problems out there – we can all see it and the media reports it endlessly but there seems to be no real will to make anything change. That kind of contradiction makes me want to make my own comment on things, and there’s a freedom to songwriting that can be very enlightening. I know I come out of every new song feeling I know a lot more than I did before I wrote it.
- What’s the process for your songwriting?
I get a little spark of an idea and start fanning it until it flares up. Once it’s lit I get out of the way and let it burn.
- What songs are you looking forward to playing live?
I’ve already road tested most of the songs and they all work well live, but as always a few establish themselves as live favourites. On this album the major live songs so far are “No Control,” “We Stand Alone,” Keys To The World,” “No Hope Street” and “Land Of The Overdose.” Well, that’s half the album. Actually I’d happily go out and just play the new album.
- What advice would you give to someone looking to get into music as a career today?
Stop thinking about the career and concentrate on the music. If you want a career get a proper job.