I always thought that The Mission would have been the ultimate opening band for DM. Were they, if you can remember, ever asked or considered as an opening act? What do you think of the music?

Well Wayne's a thoroughly nice chap. He lives in L.A. now. I don't think they were ever considered as support.

Any thoughts, in musical terms (visual image aside) on Danielle Dax?

I don't know anything about her to be honest.

Any thoughts, in musical terms (visual image aside) on Japan? (the band, not the island nation)

I had a soft spot for Japan around the early 80's (Tin Drum) and Hep likes the even earlier stuff - 'Adolescent Sex' and 'Obscure Alternatives'. I thought Japan were well-produced and quite different to a lot of other music that was around at the time.

Have you ever heard of a band called Broadcast? They're on the WARP label and they're an enigma unto themselves, nice and dark.

Can't say I have.

As a David Lynch fan, you must be aware of the similarities of the Eno mixes of 'I Feel You' to Lynch's song 'The Pink Room' - used in an incredible scene from 'Fire Walk With Me' - even down to the same snare sound. Which one came first? Did Lynch borrow from Eno or vice-versa? What do you think of Lynch's (as opposed to Badalamenti's) music?

Yes, they are very similar, aren't they? 'The Pink Room' was released before 'I Feel you' so Lynch couldn't have borrowed it. The fact that Lynch is interested enough to make music at all is rare for a film director. Perhaps he should concentrate even more on music since 'Lost Highway' ;-)

What are your thoughts on Cold Meat Industry? It's a label out of Sweden which releases albums by the likes of In Slaughter Natives, Mortiis, Morthund etc etc. Any comments on the power noise movement in Germany? (Ant-Zen records, Noisex, Imminent Starvation, Synapsescape etc.) Would you ever work with Dirk Ivens from DIVE? Do you know Jonathan Sharp of New Mind? Do you enjoy the Zoth Ommog label's work?

Errr........I'm sorry Peter but I have no idea who any of these people are.

Have you heard Robbie Robertsons latest album? What did you think of it?

No. But I have heard the spoken word track he did with Howie B.

How many times you have worked with Butch Vig and do you like the new Garbage 2.0 version, album?

I've never worked with Vig. He remixed a DM single while we were on tour. I thought the new Garbage album was disappointing. I preferred the first one.

Have you ever seen Morrissey live?

No.

Have you heard Radiohead's 'Airbag / How Am I Driving?' mini-album? If not, would you like a copy?

No I haven't heard it but I'd love to receive a copy - thank you.

Considering you've worked with various artists connected to Mute, have you ever considered working with some of the others on the label? A few that come to mind would be: Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Blixa Bargeld, Anita Lane, Simon Bonney or even Rowland S. Howard.

I don't really know Nick Cave and his mob very well but I heard a rumour that he detests DM so I'm not too sure how they'd feel about Recoil.

What do you think about Way Out West, Orbital and Leftfield?

I'm fairly indifferent to all of them actually. They're ok.

Besides Nitzer Ebb, DM and Recoil, have you been involved in other projects? If so, which ones and what was your part?

Not in any major way since I joined DM.

What is going on with Nitzer Ebb? I haven't heard from them in a while.

Sadly, they are no longer. I think Mute may be planning a 'best of'.

There's an Irish band called the Devlins and shortly after you left DM, I was talking to Colin Devlin who said that you were possibly going to produce their second album. Obviously you didn't but can you recall being approached or was it just a case of your "people" talking to their "people"?

Yes I do remember receiving an enquiry from The Devlins but I wasn't really able to undertake any production work at the time.

I was reading your FAQ's and saw the list of bands you generally listen to. Are there any bands that you consider guilty pleasures - i.e. bands not normally deemed "cool"?

The music I listen to isn't based on its 'trendy' factor. I'm presently listening to Roxy Music - is that cool?

Have you ever heard of a german band called Deine Lakaien?

No, never heard of them.

Which track from the 'Ebbhead' album do you like most and why?

'I Give To You', 'Godhead' and 'Ascend'. Various reasons, too many to list here.

Have you ever listened to any of 'They Might Be Giants', and what is your take on them?

I thought they were 'She's lump' but Hep advises me that they were something about a birdcage.........urmm...right.

I am very much influenced by the Recoil designs and I agree that the Gus-Gus artwork is very good. I think that quite a lot of 4AD's artwork is excellent and seems to have a strong link with the music. Do you like Dead can Dance?

I always liked the Cocteau Twins' artwork which seemed to perfectly compliment their music. I still haven't listened to Dead Can Dance.

Can you name a few tracks (maybe more dance-orientated) that you like?

Daft Punk - 'Around The World' (mainly because of the video), Fluke - 'Atom Bomb', Plastikman, Tresor etc...

Do you like the Future Sound Of London?

Not particularly. What I've heard sounds fairly forgettable.

What do you think about 'Tears for Fears' (especially the lyrics) and leader Roland Orzabal? And what about your best selling 'Spice Girls' (don't be too hard!)?

I always quite liked 'Tears For Fears', especially their first LP, 'Shout' and one or two other tracks but they went a bit jazzy after that. As for the 'Spice Girls', our daughter Paris has just discovered them so I've been listening to their LP as I'm answering these questions. Talk about torture.

Bearing in mind the MSG link - what do you both think of the Medieval Baebes?

I haven't heard their CD but they're....er....novel. 12 tarts in see-through nighties - can't complain, can I? I always tease Hep by suggesting that she would currently be a 'baebe' right now had she not met me.

What is your opinion on those mad n' crazeee Manic Street Preachers? Without using the words monotonous and dirge, do you think it's right to cash in on the death / disappearance of a band member for commercial gain or was it just unfortunate timing (to go just before they broke through to the big time)?

Now that is a cynical suggestion, isn't it? I'm supposed to be the misanthropist around here ;-) I can't say I'd noticed such a callous attitude from those lads. They seem like quite humble, down to earth Welsh people to me.

I know you enjoy the music of both Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. If you had the opportunity to re-record a song from each of them, which tracks would be privy to the Alan Wilder touch? :)

Reworking a Kraftwerk track would be a tough assignment. Maybe I'd chose an older song to re-vamp - perhaps 'Radio Activity'. I wouldn't know where to start with Tangerine Dream.

Have you heard of 'California Breakbeat' as played by The Crystal Method?

No.

What about hard trance or "synth-core"? Have you heard any Empirion?

I've heard of Empirion but I haven't heard the music- Doug McCarthy worked with them for a while last year.

Was Einstürzende Neubauten in fact one of the influences for DM's industrial sound on 'Construction Time Again' and 'Some Great Reward'? What is your opinion of their deconstructivist cacophony of noise? And, considering that both bands are on Mute, do the two groups know each other to any extent? Finally, I am almost certain that you would appreciate this line from EN's LP 'Halber Mensch'......

"Lass uns noch was wodka holen" -- "Let's get more vodka" (Russian vitamins, he calls it).

I like some of Neubauten's work although I'm not sure they've been any great influence on DM. The last time I saw any of the band members was with Hep (who toured with them and worked with a couple of the band) when we bumped into Alex Hacke in a record shop in Berlin - he seemed like a nice bloke.

Do you like the production style of Steve Albini? He tends to favour a very dry and 'documentary-style' (for lack of a better word) type of sound when he records.

Dry?, wet? - whatever's appropriate. No real opinion - I can't really think of anything he's done. Did he produce P.J. Harvey?

He stated in an interview years ago that Depeche Mode had wanted him to produce an album but he declined. Is it true?

Not during my time with the group.

I am hesitant to ask but I am so curious...what do you think of Radiohead's 'OK Computer'?

It's a fine LP. Great songs / melodies and something new to be found each time one listens. I like the way the songs are constructed - they are given time to breath and evolve.

I read somewhere that Axle Rose was not happy with DM's success in the States and there was a fight with the band. Is this true?

Not that I know of. In fact, I heard that Axl Rose was a bit of a Mode fan. We never had a fight with him or Guns 'n' Roses.

Have you heard the fabulous new Hooverphonic album and if so, do you dig it?

No I haven't but you're not the first person to mention them so since you always send such chirpy e-mails, on your advice I will check it out. Can I rely on your taste?

I see that you know your ELO :) I wonder what other ELO songs you like?

I didn't say I liked them, I just remember the hits, like: 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'Telephone Line', 'Overture', 'Sweet Talkin' Woman'......

I must admit, I do have a soft spot for 70's glam: Gary Glitter, Sweet, Wizard (offshoot from ELO), Bolan etc..... I grew up with it ;-)

Would you join Kraftwerk if they asked you nicely?

Why would I want to join a group that never releases any records?

Just wondering if you have had a chance to hear Esthero? They are quite good and unique. Also wondering about your thoughts on Morcheeba, Jai and Hooverphonic.

From this selection, I have only heard Morcheeba. I thought their LP had a couple of good moments but was a bit bland.

I read on the Nitzer Ebb Album 'Ebbhead', that you were the producer of this fine stuff. What was the reason for you to produce this band?

They asked me and I thought it would be an interesting project as well as good experience.

Did you like their music?

Yes.

I read somewhere a few years ago that you were planning on working with Curve in one way or another (perhaps producing their next album) and then they broke up (albeit temporarily). Was there any truth to these plans? If so, now that they are back together, do you have any interest in working with them?

Curve have never asked me to work with them. Toni and Alan Moulder are very good friends and I wouldn't be surprised if we do something together again in the future although I don't know what. There are no plans at the moment.

What do you think of Chuck Berry?

He made some good records but has the reputation for being a complete and utter bastard. Not only was he banged up for underage sex (I think) but would often refuse to go back and play an encore without demanding more money - in cash - from promoters. He'd also regularly chastise his band for not predicting which key he was going to start a song in. Oh well, I suppose 'Johnny Be Good' makes up for all this eh...........

What do you think of these bands : Unkle, Death in Vegas, Bomb The Bass, Gus Gus, Orbital and Placebo ?

Unkle - ok, nothing special, Death In Vegas - haven't heard them, Bomb The Bass - ok, haven't heard more recent stuff, Gus Gus - like some tracks, good LP artwork, Orbital - inoffensive, Placebo - quite interesting, seem to be getting better. I met Brian Molko from Placebo at a Curve gig in London - he's a very nice chap.

Honestly, if you had your choice, Abba or The Spice Girls?

Abba.

What do you think of Jewel?

I don't.

What are your thoughts on Laurie Anderson's works? What about Stabbing Westward? If you are serious about working with Morrissey, have you contacted him?

I don't think I've heard anything by Laurie Anderson since 'Oh Superman' - she never gets any airplay. Stabbing Westward are o.k. - they were very friendly when I met them on tour. No, I haven't contacted any vocalists yet but, potentially, Morrissey could be good. Would he want to do it though?

Can you tell me more about the 'Node' project?

I don't know all that much. I think it was just a one-off LP produced by Flood, Ed Buller and someone else whose name I can't remember. Sort of ambient electronic, more in the style of, say, Tangerine Dream rather than Aphex Twin. They did a 'gig' on the concourse of Paddington station which worked quite well actually, especially when the station announcer started speaking.

I know that you like LFO and was wondering if you speak with Jez and Mark and if there is an LFO (now Mark Bell) remix for a Recoil track in the works? Favourite LFO track?

I haven't actually spoken to Mark since they did the Faith Healer remix and I didn't know they'd trimmed down to just him. I do listen to (and enjoy) their music but I can't remember any of the titles.

Ever heard the classic Swedish synthband Page?

No

I've recently gotten into "non-gangsta" rap - Kool Keith (aka Dr. Octagon), etc., to be specific - primarily because, unlike mainstream rap, it seems more original & less contrived. (I absolutely can't stand when a rapper takes an older song, adds more bass, and then raps over it - e.g. Puff Daddy.) What are your thoughts regarding the contemporary rap scene?

I'm torn. Some rap I like, some I can't stand. The hip hop approach to rhythm and sampling etc. has been quite innovative but as with most styles of music, there are very few with real imagination who push things a bit further, and many who just churn out poor imitation. Check out General Music / musical styles in the archives for more.....

Have you any views on Mansun and Manic Street Preachers, both of whom have just released good albums?

I liked some of Mansun's first album - 'Wide Open Space' comes to mind as being particularly good. I haven't bought their current record - it's been given a hard time in the press which probably means it's really good. I'll let you know more when I've heard it. Manic Street Preachers? Well, I thought the two tracks 'Design For Life' and 'Australia' were good pop songs.

Have you ever heard the Kraftwerk album 'The Mix'. What's your opinion?

It's pretty good although, like any fan, I would have preferred new material. They obviously put a lot of effort into re-recording those tracks - why not write some new ones? And when are we going to get a new album?

I was wondering what you think of Trent Reznor's music (not the lyrics, but the instrumentation).

I like his work. He takes a lot of care over it. Many of his sounds are unique - I think he does most of his own programming. I'm not so keen on his really abrasive stuff but I have a lot of respect for him.

I have a personal goal to ensure that many people hear the music of Joy Division. Have you heard this band, and if so, what is your opinion?

Yes I know their incredibly revered but I never really got it.

What is the best band/artist you have ever seen live?

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (about 1974).

Would you ever work with Duran Duran?

Titter.........

What do you think of the following:

Billy Joel, Elvis Costello, Madness, Leonard Cohen, Spinal Tap, Alan Partridge...

Bug-eyed - croaky - baggy- sleepy - dobly- AHH HA!!!

Have you heard about Shara Nelson? Now I'm sure that she could make special vocals for your music.

Yes, I think 'Unfinished Sympathy' with Massive Attack was brilliant - one of my favourite tracks actually (and Martin's - he based a whole DM song around it......can you guess which one?). Unfortunately, her solo stuff that came out soon after was rather average I thought.

Have you heard the music of John Shea? Ever listen to John Zorn or Kronos Quartet?

Don't know John Shea. I have stuff by the other two and listen to them sometimes.

Since you are good friends with Daryl Bamonte, have you ever met his brother Perry and/or any other members of the Cure (Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, etc.)? If so, what do you think of them and their music?

Yes, I've met The Cure many times, both professionally and socially. Robert Smith is very nice though obviously, like me, a little dim and misguided - he's a Q.P.R. supporter ;-)

Any comments on Blur's new album, '13'?

I really like it. They are a group who are improving with every record. I admire anyone who tries to expand their horizons and isn't a slave to current trends.

I see that you worked with Spirit Feel (or vice versa) on the 'Walking In My Shoes' single and they did the music for Martin on that Leonard Cohen tribute album. Do you know the members names or what any of them are up to now?

I've never actually worked with Spirit Feel - they did a remix for us. I don't know all the members but one is Paul Valentine who I believe lives in Martin's London flat. I haven't seen him for years so don't know what he's up to.

Have you heard of New Zealand bands The Chills, Shihad or Straightjacket Fits? If so, what do you think of them?

You Antipodeans do ask me about the strangest bands.....no, I've never heard of them.

I asked before in a Q & A, if you'd ever consider working with Anita Lane. Have you ever heard her stuff?

I like some of her stuff - 'Blume' with Neubauten for example.....don't know about working with her.

Do you have in your possession a good quality recording of 'Tour De France'. If so, where did you get it from?

I've got a very dodgy cassette only. If, reading between the lines, you're about to suggest sending me a bright shiny new copy, I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands. Incidentally, I hear rumours of a new Kraftwerk album.....

What do you think about Suicide and new project of Alan Vega with Panasonic?

I liked the recent Vega / Panasonic collaboration.

Have you had exposure to any current Australian acts, such as Regurgitator, Powderfinger or the Severed Heads?

I've never heard of any of them. Apt names for the Aussie mentality though ;-)

Was Hawkwind a musical influence on you in the DM years and should I give them a listen?

Hawkwind had their moments but don't sound anything like DM.

Do you have a favourite Beatles album or period?

'The White Album' which is a masterpiece. It's also the most diverse record they made and is the one where you can clearly tell which is a Lennon song and which is a McCartney song. I don't think the two of them crossed over much on that album. Unfortunately, I have a bad record in holding on to any copies I buy - I've no idea what happened to the original I bought at the time of it's release, about 4 years ago a double CD was stolen from my car and then it's replacement was taken when we had another burglary a few months later.......is John trying to tell me something perhaps?

Do you have a favourite Cocteau Twins record? Please elaborate!

I particularly like 'Heaven Or Las Vegas' although all their records are good. I've been a fan for many years and, as many of you know, an big admirer of Elizabeth Fraser's voice. They own September Sound - a very good studio in Twickenham where I remixed 'Stalker' and 'Missing Piece'.

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