Have you ever met the members of Kraftwerk?

I've met Karl - he used to show up back-stage at DM shows in Germany.

Have you ever seen a show by them and if so, did you like it?

Yes, I saw them at the Brixton Academy in '91. I particularly enjoyed the films running during the show.

Do you know Wolfgang Flur´s band YAMO (album 'Time-Pie')?

No.

Have you heard the 'Event Horizon' soundtrack and if so, what did you think of it?

No, I haven't heard it.

Is there any chance you will work with either Matt Johnson or K.D. Lang in the future?

I think K.D. Lang would be an interesting Recoil vocalist. To take someone who has a great voice but makes fairly safe music and intergrate it into something altogether more dark and disturbing, is an idea that appeals to me.

Do you not feel that if Moz [Morrisey] was more 'musically adventurous' it would perhaps detract from the lyrics for which is he esteemed?

No, on the contrary, it would enhance them.

Have you ever met U2? Do you like their music and what do you think of Bono?

Yes, I've spoken to The Edge briefly. I've never met the others even though they've been to some of our shows and we've ended up in the same bars and clubs. I'm not a major fan of Bono's voice but I do think U2 put a lot of thought into what they do and are very good at promoting themselves.

What bands influenced you most growing up and during your musical career?

It's hard to say really. I particularly liked David Bowie and The Beatles and later on, Kraftwerk.

Do you listen to lesser known synth-based bands such as Red Flag, Camouflage, Information Society, Anything Box, etc.?

No, I don't have any of their records.

Like you, I'm a Curve fan and I'd love to know your view on the latest album: Were you ever tempted to give advice (or were you asked any advice) on production etc. seeing as Dean and Toni are friends of yours?

I liked the album but I wouldn't presume to offer any kind of advice unless asked - which I wasn't.

Who is/are your favourite industrial music artist(s)?

All the N's - Nitzer Ebb, NIN, Neubauten

What do you think of the music by Tears For Fears? Have you ever met Curt or Roland?

I've liked some of their stuff over the years although Roland should cut the choreography. I've met both of them on the odd occasion and they seem like nice blokes.

In a recent answer, you mentioned "a great woman" who said " je ne regrette rien" - It's the famous french female singer Edith Piaf. Do you like her? And what about Jacques Brel?

Yes, I like both of these.

What do you think about Air?

I liked that recent single 'Sexy Boy' but I've found the rest of the album harder to get into - I need more time to listen to it.

Do you like Sakamoto and especially his soundtrack for the film "Furyo" which featured Bowie. Do you like the film too?

I'm not mad on Sakamoto and I haven't seen this film so I can't comment.

You've said in previous Q & A's, that it was easier for you to name favourite female vocalists than male. Mind telling us some of them?

Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins), K.D. Lang, Neneh Cherry, Julie London....

Do you know if there is a song called 'Warm Latharet' or something like that from The Mormal (produced I think in the late 70' -early 80's) I've heard this song around 10 years ago.

It was the very first record released by Mute. The Normal, is or was, Dan Miller and the song was called 'Warm Leatherette'. For further information, go to Media - features and see the article 'The Band', which has an interview with Dan.

Did you ever hear of the swiss duo Yello, if so, can I have your opinion, please?

Yes, they've done some good stuff. Their videos are more interesting than their music I think.

Marylin Manson: musical marketing genius or fruity bastard?

Somewhere in between probably...

I've always thought 'Freeze' has a very soothing trance-like feel to it. Do you enjoy the similar sounds of Aphex Twin or any other such "ambient" type music?

As far as ambient goes, some of Eno's albums would be top of my list although I tend to think he spreads himself a bit thin. There have been a couple of other things I've quite liked but it's not a genre I get particularly excited about.

As a guy who bravely left his prior successful band to pursue his own career interests, do you have any words of advice for Ginger Spice in her currently similar situation?(hahahahahahahhhhh!!)

Now, go and get what you really, really want........Zig a zig doh!

Since you seem to be a guy who enjoys cutting and pasting random samples all around his own music, do you appreciate the hugely popular sample-happy stylings of Beck and / or the Beastie Boys?

Yes, I like both of the above. They use samples in a fresh, creative way.

Of all bands in the early 80's, do you think any of them were of any good quality? If so, which ones?

It's difficult to think of many. The Smiths were good, Tears For Fears, Psychedelic Furs.........er........

Have you heard the new Smashing Pumpkins album and if so, what do you think of Bon Harris' work on it?

I haven't heard it yet. I'm sure Bon's contribution will have added some interesting aspects to the overall sound.

What did you think of Nitzer Ebb's last album 'Big Hit'?

My opinion is a bit clouded by the knowledge of some of the problems they encountered trying to complete it. I know it took them an unreasonable amount of time to finish and by the end of the experience, they were virtually over as a group. Having said that, it's not a bad album but perhaps a bit patchy.

One of my all-time, synth-pop heroes, (besides you off course :-), is Phil Oakey. Have you ever met him and would you consider working with him?

No, I've never met him and he's not someone I would really consider right for Recoil.

You have sited Kraftwerk as an influence. How was it working with Francois Kevorkian on 'Violator'?

Francois wasn't the easiest person I've found to work with - he's quite overbearing in the studio and can be a bit 'difficult'. However, I really like him and I do think he did a very good job for DM at a time when we needed someone to come in and add a different perspective to the project. In hindsight, the fact that he could be somewhat demanding, brought about a kind of tension that fired people up and consequently worked in our favour.

Which record features your remix of Toni Halliday's 'Time Turns Around'?

I think it was a single but I don't know much about it. Why don't you check out the Curve website (go to Connections - links).

In 1995 I attended a Human League concert for the first time and it was absolutely brilliant - pure electronic pop with a set up of 3 synths and electronic percussion. I'm going to see them again in December on the big 'Rewind' tour, with ABC and Culture Club. Will you catch them on this tour and have you seen them live before, perhaps in their prime around 1981/82? If so, how was it? What do you think of the whole 'Rewind' idea?

I've never seen the Human League but I've liked one or two of their tracks over the years, although I'm not quite as enthusiastic as you ;-). Revivals are ok I suppose but I'm not so sure about touring - some things are best left alone when they come to an end.

What do you think about New Order coming back? Do you like their music and if so, what is your favourite album / single? Have you been to any of their concerts in more recent times and did you like what you heard? What do you think of their side-projects, Electronic and Monaco?

I didn't notice when they went away and I hadn't noticed that they'd come back. This doesn't mean I dislike them, I just don't really notice them.

After DM and Recoil my favourite band is Nitzer Ebb, so I was extremely excited when you got to produce both 'Come Alive' and 'Ebbhead' which I think was the high point of NE's catalogue. I heard Douglas say in an interview that Flood did a "Judas" on them (I think he went off to produce 'Achtung Baby') and you ended up doing most of the work. So how was it in general to work with them? How far did you take the songs from the demo stage and what exactly does a Nitzer Ebb demo sound like?

We started the project, without Flood, in a programming room. Bon and Doug already had some very loose sketches of some tracks but apart from this, the programming and recording of the album was one and the same. Flood joined us towards the end of the programming period and left again to work on the U2 record shortly before the end of the recording period . I finished the recording and mixed the album with Steve Lyon at Konk Studios. Doug is a dream to work with - very open-minded and willing to be flexible on all matters. Bon is more protective and subject to overdoing a good idea. I would point out that despite this, I still got on very well with Bon. Generally, I found their attitude to be something I respect - they were both very conscientious and hard working and wanted to get the absolute best out of the record.

In her question to you on June 10th, Alexandra Chlup mentions a new song sounding very much like 'Red River Cargo'. I think it comes from Tricky's new album 'Broken Homes' and features P.J. Harvey as guest vocalist. Would you like to work with her in the future or do you think that it would be somehow inappropriate because of her recent collaboration with Tricky (and also Nick Cave)?

I haven't heard the Tricky album so I can't comment on it. As for P.J. Harvey, I do find her work quite interesting.

In an earlier answer (29/5), you said you "can't listen to Autechre". Is this just a question of taste or can I draw a connection with another of your replies "I think it´s actually a bit too easy to just knock out an instrumental L.P. and then call it 'experimental'..."?

I just find their music too abrasive to listen to for any length of time.

I have read that you like Roxy Music. Have you had a chance to hear Dave's take on 'Song For Europe' and what did you think of it?

No, I've seen lots of comments about this but never heard it.

Are you familiar with the work of Al Jourgensen and his group Ministry? I've always thought their history and musical influence has an interesting parallel to DM and some of your latest Recoil work.

I've been aware of Ministry for some time - they've been around for years - but I couldn't say I'm familiar with their music.

I was quite amused when I listened to the Chemical Brothers' first album, 'Exit Planet Dust' because the first track also contains samples from 'Bloodline'. Did you know that?

Yes, I'm aware of that.

I'm glad to read that one of your favourite Mute acts is Renegade Soundwave. The last time I bumped into Danny he was alongside a beautiful black lady and they were working together. Do you know anything about him? Do you keep in touch?

I don't really know him (or Gary) very well, I just liked their music. The black girl is his wife.

What's your opinion on bands like The Prodigy, The Orb and Daft Punk?

From those 3, I like Daft Punk the most.

Do you have any relations with any Front 242 band members and what do you think about them?

I know Richard from Front 242, he's always been a very friendly bloke.

Are you familiar with any Sisters Of Mercy records? Would you be interested in working with Andrew Eldritch?

Yes and not particularly.

Since you've been a fan of Curve from the beginning, what do you think: Are Garbage just a bunch of Yankee copycats or an original modern rock group?

The problem I have with Garbage, and I could be wrong, is that they feel like a record company driven / manufactured group. I liked a couple of tracks on their first album but I was disappointed with their new L.P.

Would you consider having Elizabeth Fraser doing vocals for your music?

Yes, I would have loved to have used her but I can't really do it now as it would seem like jumping on the Massive Attack bandwagon.

Which song do you like best on 'Mezzanine'?

'Angel', track 2 and the single, 'Teardrop'

What made OMD one of the crappiest support bands ever!?

McClusky rates himself a bit too highly for my liking which is always dangerous if you're languishing in the 'where are they now' file. We bowled them all out for 10 runs in the DM vs. OMD cricket match - and I got McClusky's wicket....laugh....

The beginning of 'Stalker' slightly reminds me of Pink Floyd. Would you say that they have had a certain influence on you?

I do like Pink Floyd c. late 60's to mid 70's, i.e. 'Meddle', 'Dark Side Of The Moon', 'Wish You Were Here' etc. and I'd recommend any of these albums to Recoil fans.

What do you think of artists such as Madonna who are amateurs in the electronic music area. Some say she has brought soul and the human element into electronic music, when Depeche and Recoil have already done that for many years now?

I don't feel strongly about Madonna's music. I doubt she has all that much to do with it. It's probably the part of her career she is least interested in. 'Frozen' is a William Orbit record with her voice on top. I prefer her more spoken efforts like 'Human Nature' etc..

Have you ever considered working with Martyn Philips?

Martyn Phillips?

Have you heard a band called Cause & Effect and if so, what do you think about their music?

I don't know them.

We know that you are somewhat fond of Angelo Badalamenti's work. Have you heard 'Booth and the Bad Angel,' his project with Tim Booth (of James)? I think it's really unique and intriguing. What do you think?

I've deliberately not listened to it because I suspect I will hate it. They're a pairing, in my opinion, that couldn't possibly work. However, Badalamenti and Marianne Faithful 'A Secret Life' - now that worked, have you heard it?

You said you like David Bowie's music only 'till 1980 but what do you think of his recent work, 'Earthling' or 'Outside'?

Embarrassing.

Speaking of Peter Gabriel, what kind of work from him do you prefer - the kind he did shortly after leaving Genesis or the more recent stuff like his film music or his work with ethnic artists?

The albums he made in the first few years after leaving Genesis were, I think, his most innovative. Some of his more recent work is also good, for example 'Passion' that was used for the soundtrack to 'The Last Temptation Of Christ'.

Did you ever listen to the 1992 Intermix album 'Phaze Two'? There's a Recoil sample on almost each of its eleven tracks, mainly taken from 'Bloodline' and 'Faith Healer' - Deformity mix.

No, I've never heard it.

Do you have any opinion on the work of Ultravox and Gary Numan? What do you think of the retro "scary" analog sounds of the early / late 70's / 80s?

John Foxx-era Ultravox - good, Midge Ure-era Ultravox - this means nothing to me. As for Gazza, he's a nice chap but you wouldn't get me up in a plane with him. The last time I saw him, he was talking to god on the great white telephone ;-)

What's your favourite Public Enemy LP (mine's 'It Takes a Nation...') and what do you think of the new soundtrack they've done for Spike Lee?

I like most of their albums although I really like 'Musik and our mess age'. I don't think I've heard the new Spike Lee thing.

Was the fact that 'Ebbhead' didn't do well commercially a big disappointment to you and NE?

Er no, I never really thought about it to be honest. I didn't have any great expectations that the Ebb would suddenly become incredibly popular.

Did you enjoy working on it?

I'm glad I did it but it got a bit tense towards the end. I wasn't sorry to see the project finished and I must admit, it's made me very hesitant about taking on other production jobs - I'm a musician first and foremost and I found the role of producing someone else's music energy-sapping and ultimately, perhaps a little unfulfilling. This doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, I just prefer to concentrate on doing my own thing.

Have you ever heard of an artist called FALCO from Vienna who recently died in a car crash in the Caribbean? If so, what do you think of his music, for example songs like 'Rock Me Amadeus'?

Um......Yes, I've heard all of his song.

What do you think of Hanson?

I try not to think of Hanson.

Favourite ever concert that you attended?

Probably Charlton Athletic football ground, 1974-ish, to see The Who, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Little Feat, Streetwalkers and a few others....

What is your opinion on the music of Talking heads and David Byrne? Have you seen the concert 'Stop Making Sense' and if so, what did you think of it?

I've never been a big fan of Talking Heads but around that time, in theory, I thought they were quite interesting. Their music just doesn't groove and his voice is often too quirky for me.

Do you like the music of Jean Michel Jarre and how do you rate him as a musician/producer/performer?

He's totally overrated. He managed to find the 'arpeggiator' button on the Roland JP8 in the early 80's and he's been using it ever since, whilst spending fortunes shining lights onto walls...

Would you consider asking the singer from Portishead to work on the next / or another future Recoil project? After listening to their two releases I just get the impression that she would be suited to your music, do you agree?

I like their music but I'm not really interested in using her as a collaborator.

What is the better release by Radiohead -'The Bends' or 'OK Computer'?

'OK Computer'.

Have you ever heard Mike Oldfield's early work- 'Tubular Bells', 'Hergest Ridge', 'Ommadawn')? I usually think that electronic music is really deeper than usual acoustic stuff but those pieces are outstandingly deep and full of atmosphere, like the kind of things you produce.

I quite liked 'Tubular Bells' at the time because it was so different. It sounds totally daft now.

Which Mute artists interest you the most?

I like various bits and pieces, especially Diamanda Galas and some of the NovaMute dance lot. Unfortunately a lot of my favourites like Nitzer Ebb and Renegade Soundwave are no longer in existence.

Apart from DM, Doug (and Nitzer Ebb), Moby, Barry Adamson and Erasure, what other MUTE artists do you personally know? Do you know, for example, Diamanda Galas?

I met Diamanda once a long time ago. I know Danny and Gary from Renegade Soundwave, I've met some members of Neubauten and Nick Cave's band., Frank Tovey and various others. Mute is a very incestuous company and being located in a small building with it's own studios, it is not uncommon for the artists to bump into one another.

Have you ever been asked to produce a Polish band, 'Hedone'? 2 years ago I read that they were going to ask you.

Maybe I was asked, I don't remember. I get many requests.

What kind of music does Paul Kendal make. Could you explain it?

For those who don't know who P.K. is see: Report - editorial - June. In the editorial, P.K. probably didn't explain his music very clearly because it's pretty unexplainable. It's very experimental and deals more with 'aural sculpting' of individual sounds as opposed to traditionally structured music. It's minimal but not necessarily ambient. Don't expect lots of melodies ;-)

Recently in one of your answers you said, "PK's music is very experimental and deals more with 'aural sculpting' of individual sounds as opposed to traditionally structured music." Speaking of 'aural sculpting' and sheer noise for that matter, what do you think of the demented releases of Mute labelmate Boyd Rice / NON? Is it 'bad art' as some have criticised, or do you find it creative in some way (at least from a non-musical standpoint)?

Well I have no problem with it and I'm glad there's an outlet for extreme art because everything has it's place. Trouble is, I can't listen to it.

Q+A  :  GENERAL MUSIC  :  OTHER ARTISTS - likes / dislikes / record collection : PART THREE