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MM - How does it feel to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band?
Good. I feel very proud. Also, I honestly feel as full of energy and
excitement as when we first started.
MM - You had a few teething problems getting
the new album 'Eight' widely available, what was the main reason for this?
As far as I know, no more trouble than with other releases. But generally
speaking, I don't concern myself very much with the business side of
things; you'd best ask our manager.
MM -
Let's go back to the dawn of time, when was
the band formed and how did you all meet?
I met Stuart Morrow (the original bassist) in Bradford in the late 70s. We
began playing together just for the love of playing and started NMA as a
Punk and Northern Soul-influenced 3-piece in 1980. A lot of different
people have been in NMA at different times - strange chance meetings in
low-down nightclubs.
MM - After 20 very successful years in the
business what would you put your success down to?
We never compromised.
MM - Is there anything in the last 20 years
you wish you had done differently?
Loads of things. I sometimes think we made every mistake a band can make
in terms of business and making the world understand what we were about.
But creatively, we were always honest and always original, so really the
other thing doesn't matter in the end.
MM -
How influential do you think your music is to
your fans?
This is a question for them, not us.
MM - Where do the band call home?
Bradford is very much our home. It has coloured much of our music and
attitudes. We have a rehearsal and studio set-up there. Of the current
line-up, three of us live in Bradford/Leeds. Nelson lives in Colchester
and Dave in Devon.
MM -
The band will be touring shortly, which
countries will you be visiting?
We toured the "Eight" album earlier this year through 12 countries. This
autumn were just doing a few special shows in Britain and Germany.
MM - Describe the new album and who would it
appeal to?
It would appeal to anyone who loves music - its fresh, poetic, intense and
visceral.
MM - If you weren't in a rock band, what job
would you most likely be doing right now?
I cannot imagine. This is my life.
MM - What do you think about the Napster
controversy?
Everything changes, nothing stays still - that's in the nature of all
things. I'm not sure yet how much and in what way the Napster ruling will
effect what really matters - the creative side of music. So, although I'm
asked this question a lot, I haven't yet come to a firm opinion.
MM - After a gig what do you like to do?
Watch the dawn come up through the bus windows.
MM - Do you think it is easier or harder for new bands to get a break
these days?
Harder probably. All aspects of all businesses are far more ruthless and
money obsessed than they once were. Despite the current mythology, even
Napster are in it for the money.
MM - If you could give one piece of advice to
someone trying to start-up a band what would it be?
Do it for its own sake, because you love music, for the joy of creativity.
If these things are your motivation, you have nothing to lose and nothing
to fear. If you're in it just to be discovered, to become rich and famous,
forget it. Failure and success are both equally cruel masters.
MM - What short phrase best describes the
band?
Powerful, affecting, intense, passionate, true.
MM - What's the most important thing for the band right now?
Writing great songs, playing
Official New Model Army site:
http://www.newmodelarmy.org |
