Are Friends Eclectic #4

The fourth edition of “Are Friends Eclectic?” is a very special one indeed. I’ve managed to convince a certain guy to take time out from his hectic day and give us an insight into his musical tastes and whatever else takes his fancy.

Yes, that’s the real Santa right there. Yes he smokes. Yes, that’s a half coconut/pineapple concoction and cocktail in his right hand. Yes, he sticks a white beard over his “manly goatee” and no, the big red suit’s not at the dry cleaners. He’s dressing down this year.

SIT WOLF: Describe music in 5 or less words.
SANTA: Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!
SIT WOLF: Nice start. Also, it isn’t Christmas yet.
SANTS: It’s always Christmas.
SIT WOLF: Ok, whatever, answer the question?
SANTA: Music in 5 words or less? Mistletoe and Wine.

SIT WOLF: What was the first album you bought?
SANTA: Usually i just steal albums off of all the naughty children. I’m experienced at handling packages now and can usually tell which ones are CD’s so if a certain kid has been bad and doesn’t deserve his Cliff Richard album then i’ll keep it all for myself or put it in Mrs Claus’ stocking as an extra.
SIT WOLF: So you’ve never bought one?
SANTA: I have bought one or two yes. The first one i bought was the single “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” by Wizzard. That was a while ago now.

SIT WOLF: What was the last album you bought?
SANTA: I purchased Low’s “Christmas EP” off of the mincePIEtunes website last week. I gave it to one of the elves who was getting a little too festive for my liking. It depressed him accordingly. I don’t like my workers to get too happy at Christmas. I run a tight ship through the months of November and December. It’s head down, arse up, all out work. The lazy bastards get the rest of the year off anyway.

SIT WOLF: What are your views on illegal downloading/file sharing?
SANTA: Well i can’t wrap up MP3’s so that’s a big fat bearded NO from me! Buy the CDs children!

SIT WOLF: What was your very first gig?
SANTA: Ah, i remember this fondly. It was in a small igloo in Lapland in 1916. Cliff Richard was only in his early twenties then, what show he put on.

SIT WOLF: What was your last gig?
SANTA: I was at Paul McCartneys gig in Liverpool on Monday night there (20th December). I was intent on keeping a low profile but i got a little carried away after a few brandy’s and couldn’t resist singing along to his Christmas songs. I had to make a swift exit before i got mobbed by fans. Luckily Rudolph is off the beer in preparation for the the big journey so when i paged him and asked him to pick me up he was there within 5 minutes.

SIT WOLF: What’s the next gig you’re going to?
SANTA: It’ll probably be next year. I think Sleigh Bells are touring Lapland next summer.

SIT WOLF: If you were stuck on a desert island and told that you could only listen to 3 albums over and over again for the rest of your life, what would they be?
SANTA: That’s an easy one. “A Santa Cause: A Punk Rock Christmas”, it’s various artists doing Christmas cover songs. “Christmas with Johnny Cash” is another favourite, his style of music blends so well with the Christmas spirit. The third one would be “Phil Spectors Christmas Album”. Full of classics that is.

SIT WOLF: What 3 songs are currently on constant rotation on your IPod/MP3 Player?
SANTA: “Santa Baby” by Kylie Minogue, it puts me in the mood to ravish Ms Claus….whilst thinking of Kylie of course. Don’t tell her that though.
SIT WOLF: She might be reading this. Do you have Wi-Fi in Lapland?
SANTA: She better not be reading this. She better be helping the rest of those little fuckers pack up my sleigh!
SIT WOLF: You’re a slave driver Santa, a slave driver!
SANTA: Please, call me Nick.
SIT WOLF: Ok, Nick, what other 2 songs are making you stroke your beard with delight?
SANTA: I love Dave Bazan’s voice so Pedro The Lions “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” is always a favourite. The last one is one i always play when i’ve dropped the last present off at the last house and my work is done. It’s a track by The Legendary Tiger Man called “Fuck Christmas, I Got The Blues”. Killer track.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite remixes?
SANTA: Anything off of the “A Mutated Christmas” by Corporal Blossom and the “I’m Dreaming Of A White Noise Christmas” mash up by 65daysofstatic. My favourite remix right now though has to be “Jingle Bells” remix by Dan The Automator.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite films?
SANTA: Oh there are so many! What are yours? I hope i’m in your favourites!
SIT WOLF: I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.
SANTA: Bad Santa makes me laugh so hard that the buttons on my jacket pop so that’s gotta be in there.
SIT WOLF: Are you sure they don’t just pop cos you’re a fat fuck?
SANTA: So would you be if you ate cookies at every house you went into!
SIT WOLF: Anyways, we’re not here to discuss your weight problems fatty. Another 2 films please.
SANTA: I’m festivally plump not fat! Other 2 favourites are Home Alone and Miracle on 35th Street.
SIT WOLF: You mean 34th Street?
SANTA: No, 35th. It was the sequel! Ahahahaha! What are your favourite festive films then?
SIT WOLF: Die Hard, Scrooged and Love Actually.
SANTA: Love Actually? Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite websites?
SANTA: I’ll say Illegal Art so that i can big up the aforementioned Corporal Blossom christmas album. My all time favourite website is www.northpole.com, it has everything you need to contact me! I also love my page on wikipedia. Can i put one in for Rudolph and his pals?
SIT WOLF: Go on then, since it’s Christmas.
SANTA: Thank you! It’s Reindeer Coffee.com. The best hot drinks in all the land!

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite blogs?
SANTA: Oh i’m very clued up and tuned into the blogosphere. As soon as the laptop’s on the first blogs i check are always  365 Days of Christmas, Claus Chronicles and any blog that has good Christmas food recipes! I love my Christmas cooking!

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite cover versions?
SANTA: I love Far’s take on “Do They Know It’s Christmas”, that little added bonus of Chino Moreno and other friends pushes it along nicely too. Sugarcult cover “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” pretty well and….
SIT WOLF: Yes?
SANTA: Maybe Matt Cardle’s new Biffy Clyro cover?
SIT WOLF: Get your sack and leave!
SANTA: I jest i jest! The Enemy doing “Last Christmas” for the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge a few years back was a nice touch.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite music videos?
SANTA: Mariah is pretty hot and has a great set…of eh……eyes, so i’d put her video for “All I Want For Christmas Is You” at number 1. Watching the Band Aid video always gets me in the mood too. Boy George does my tits in though. Well we’re on the subject of being annoyed, know what else rips my knitting? That new Coca Cola one with those fucking bastards Train in it!  What was wrong with the old Coca Cola song and me and the side of a big lorry. They’ve went and ruined it by using those gleamy teethed All American do gooders. I’m not racist by the way.
SIT WOLF: Clearly not. A third video o’ bearded one? Once you’ve calmed down obviously. Here, have another shot of Christmas liquor.
SANTA: Thank you child, don’t mind if i do. Now that third video, it’ll need to be The Darkness “Christmas Time”. I like the cheekiness of it. Don’t Let The Bells End hahaha. Get it.
SIT WOLF: Yes, i get it for fuck sake. Moving on.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite TV shows?
SANTA: Father Ted solely because it’s Christmas Special kicks all other Christmas Specials arses! The Alan Partridge Christmas special was another favourite of mine. To add a little bit of crudeness i’ll say A Very Special Christmas With Beavis and Butthead.

SIT WOLF: Do you play an instrument? If so, which one?
SANTA: I practice throughout the year on everything and anything. My favourite is the harp. Even if it does get caught in my beard sometimes.

SIT WOLF: If you could make a Supergroup (5 members) that you’d love to hear who would be in it and what would their name be?
SANTA: The name would be very original…..Santa’s Little Helpers. I’d have Cliff Richard on lead vocals with Shane McGowan passed out on the floor next to him adding occasional vocal harmonies. Mr Blobby playing drums. Matt Cardle’s head and other limbs as the kick drum and drumsticks.
SIT WOLF: That’s two singers, one drum kit and a drummer. What about the actual music you’d need, the melodies? Or is it gonna be vocals and drums only?
SANTA:  Gimme a minute here. I’ve got it! Bing Crosby on piano. There that’s 5.

SIT WOLF: Give me and the readers 3 bands that you think we might not know but we should check out?
SANTA: Santa Esmeralda, they’re a French-American disco group from the 70’s. Yes, we have Snow Disco parties. They’re amazing, you should come next year. Another would be The Reindeer Section, who are a Scottish supergroup consisting of members from Belle and Sebastian, Arab Strap, Idlewild and many more. Dark Elf is another one to check out. He’s one of my most musically minded workers. His music’s trancey, almost hypnotic. Perfect for the long nights.

SIT WOLF: What would your ideal gig be (3 bands)? And where would it be?
SANTA: It would be in the Antarctic and it would consist of Slade, proceeded by Elton John and finished off with East 17.
SIT WOLF: That’s a pretty shit gig.
SANTA: It’s only so i can hear the Christmas classics that they’re famous for live and in the flesh.
SIT WOLF: It’d be pretty hard to get East 17 together again. We’ll need to go pull Brian Harvey out from underneath hos own car first. We could always tie and rope to the end of your sleigh and try and tow/pill him out.
SANTA: I know what NOT too bring Brain this year for Christmas. Baked potatoes!

SIT WOLF: Who are your 3 favourite writers?
SANTA: Goes without saying really that Charles Dickens is one. The other two would need to be William Shakespeare and Ferrol Sam.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite books?
SANTA: Christmas Beginning by Anne Perry, A Plain and Simple Christmas by Amy Clipston and Christmas In Hell by Michael Lent.

SIT WOLF: What songs best encapsulate your moods?
A) Happy
B) Sad
C) Angry
D) Lonely
SANTA:
A) Jackson 5 – Frosty The Snowman
B) Gary Jules – Mad World
C) The Mr T Experience – Merry Fuckin’ Christmas
D) Merle Haggard – If We Make It Through December

SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive males in music?
SANTA: Cliff Richard, Roy Wood and Noddy Holder.
SIT WOLF: You baffle me.

SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive females in music?
SANTA: Katy Perry (in the Ms Santa suit), Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite album covers?
SANTA: For sheer cringe value i’ll need to say Air Supplys “The Christmas Album”. For some “what the fuck?” value i’ll say Rudy Ray Moore with “This Ain’t No White Christmas” and my all time favourite album cover is James Browns “Funky Christmas”. The Godfather of Soul is the only man who makes the famed red and white hat look nearly as cool as i do.

SIT WOLF: What word best sums your musical tastes up?
SANTA: Crackers?
SIT WOLF: Sounds about right.

WORD ASSOCIATION: SIT WOLF words in bold. If anybody doesn’t know how to play word association (which i’m sure everybody does but i’ll explain anyway) it basically involves someone saying a word and you instantly reply with the first word that comes to mind.

Ok, this time i’ve put a bit of a spin on the usual Word Assosciation game. It’s has a little more of a Christmas-sy feel to it.

ADVERT – Coke
BUFFET – Sprouts!
CAROLS – Out of tune
DECORATIONS – Stressful
EVE – Busy
FESTIVE – Drunk
GREETINGS – Cards
HO HO HO – Prostitutes
IGLOO – House
JOKES – Crackers
KNITWEAR – Bad jumpers
LANTERN – Dark
MISTLETOE – Kiss
NATIVITY – Play
ORNAMENTS – Snow globes
PRESENTS – Giving
QUEUES – Jumpable
REINDEER – Lazy
SANTA – Amazing, of course
TREE – Lights
URBAN LEGEND – Me!
VIXEN – The lazy one
WRAPPING PAPER – Effort
XMAS – Should be an illegal word, it’s Christmas! Not Crimbo, Xmas or any other abbreviation!
YULETIDE – Festival
ZEBRA (Apologies for lack of imagination!) – James The Christmas Zebra Game!

SIT WOLF: And that brings to an end our Christmas Eve interview. Thank you for taking time out of your no doubt busy schedule.
SANTA: It’s been a pleasure. I really must dash though. Rudolph and those other 8 lazy bastards are waiting outside, we’re in a rush, i need to get to the off licence before 10pm to pick up a carryout for the sleigh ride. Bye bye!

The Christmas conclusion…..

MP3: Dan The Automator – Jingle Bells (Remix)

MP3: The Mr T Experience – Merry Fucking Christmas

MP3: Far, Deftones and Will Haven – Feed The World (Do They Know It’s Christmas)

MP3: Low – Just Like Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone,
S.I.T Wolf  X

Are Friends Eclectic #3

The third version of Are Friends Eclectic? is the flatmate episode.

Meet my very own “personal chef” Gustav…

*WARNING: This interview contains Desperados tequila beer, red wine, two mildy drunken/stoned flatmates and references to Xylophonelove.*

SIT WOLF: Describe music in 5 or less words.
GUS: Well i’m gonna be honest and say that most music i listen to is basically something you’ve put me onto or has came from a suggestion you’ve made to me so i’ll need to go for “Here’s something you’d really like”.
SIT WOLF: But that’s technically MY words then, no?
GUS: Yeah, but it’s true.
SIT WOLF: Kinda cheating but i’ll let it slide.

SIT WOLF: What was the first album you bought?
GUS: Embarassing subject….The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers first album.
SIT WOLF: *Almost chokes on Doritos*
GUS: I know man, i have no excuses. I need more wine just thinking about it.
SIT WOLF: That’s a cross you shall wear for the rest of your life. Hang your head.

SIT WOLF: What was the last album you bought?
GUS: BT – These Hopeful Machines.

SIT WOLF: What are your views on illegal downloading/file sharing?
GUS: Music is universal so people should be free to enjoy it and share it however they like. Really, who are we to copyright it or have infringement policies on it. If you’re a smaller band you’d be glad of the exposure and if you’re in a huge band then shut the fuck up and stop moaning cos you know you make more than enough money through gigs and merchandise.
SIT WOLF: Come to think of it there are some bands out there who have their own range of bed wear, mug ranges and all sorts of other shit. They shall remain unnamed as i pretty much detest them and their music and don’t want to give them any mention on here but the point is these bands aren’t just musical artists any more they’ve became brands. That’s when it gets worrying. I’m all for the expanding merchandise scene but don’t fucking moan when someone passes a copy of your album to a friend. Fuckwits. Sorry, rant over….. One more thing actually, KISS have a fucking coffin range! You can get buried in a KISS coffin! I mean, what the fuck?
GUS: Hahahahaha! Basically when it comes to downloading/sharing or whatever i agree 100% with Trent Reznor. His views are identical to mine. Oh and i HATE Lars Ulrich.
SIT WOLF: You’re in good company. Nobody likes him.
GUS: Well, that little troll did try to sue his audience.

SIT WOLF: What was your very first gig?
GUS: Pitchshifter at The Garage in Glasgow back in 2001. I crowd surfed and danced in the mosh pit.
SIT WOLF: Very credible first gig.
GUS: I ripped my shirt as well, not intentionally of course.

SIT WOLF: What was your last gig?
GUS: When i went to Stag and Dagger with you, Luisa and Shinead. Brilliant night.
SIT WOLF: Indeed it was. We seen a few really good acts that night. Who stole the show for you?
GUS: Jaguar Love with an all round demented performance of alternative pop.

SIT WOLF: What’s the next gig you’re going to?
GUS: I might try and make it along to Pantha Du Prince with you next month actually. When is it again?
SIT WOLF: Friday the 13th….spoooooky…it’s at The Captains Rest. Ten spot to get in.
GUS: Well, i’ll try make that and if i can’t then the next one will be the Crystal Castles/HEALTH gig in October. Unless there are any more gigs that pop up before then.
SIT WOLF: I’m going to that too. Wild Nothing is playing Captains Rest this Wednesday actually (28th). You should come along.

SIT WOLF: If you were stuck on a desert island and told that you could only listen to 3 albums over and over again for the rest of your life, what would they be?
GUS: Is a compilation out of the question? Maybe even 3 compilations?
SIT WOLF: Yes, out of the question. Has to be 3 actual albums. Enjoyed from start to finish.
GUS: Ok. Right, to chill out with at night i’d go for Aphex Twin and the “Selected Ambient Works” album. When i realise i’m lost on an island on my own i’m gonna breakdown and cry so i’ll need a pick me up. That would be the self titled Moderat album. And if i ever have to lay waste to some tribal village on the island, y’know for like supplies and stuff, then i’d like to have “The Holy Bible” by the Manic Street Preachers playing in the background. One of my all time favourite albums.

SIT WOLF: What 3 songs are currently on constant rotation on your IPod/MP3 Player?
GUS: The new Arcade Fire song “We Used To Wait”, Vitalic “Your Disco Song” and “Intro” by The XX.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite remixes?
GUS: The KC Blitz remix of The Boxer Rebellion track “Evacuate”….
SIT WOLF: Fucking love that!
GUS: Yep, me too. That’s a perfect example of a track you got me into. Eh ok, more remixes? I do love remixes, so many to pick from. I think the James Lavelle remix of Doves “Jetstream” is brilliant, it appears on the newest Lavelle GU compilation. And lastly the PhonesLovers remix of “Banquet” by Bloc Party. Very danceable.
SIT WOLF: I love Phones, he done a really good version of “Romantic Rights” by DFA 1979 as well.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite films?
GUS: Children of Men. Such a powerful film. It’s one of those ones were you have to pay attention the whole way through but it’s worth it. Also, Withnail and I because it’s just stupidly awesome. We are “Withnail and I”! Leon is also another favourite. I mean Jean Reno just makes that film. He’s so suave, so cool.
SIT WOLF: And there’s Gary Oldman. Legend. Mind when we watched Leon the morning after we moved into the flat? We were both nursing massive hangovers!
GUS: Hahaha yeah! We both had a couch each just lying there engrossed in it and thinking that we wanted a bit of whatever pills Gary Oldman was taking to make us feel better!
SIT WOLF: Come to think of it, any time i’ve watched any of those 3 films with you we’ve either been drinking or hungover. We have a problem.
GUS: Wait! I forgot about “In The Loop”!
SIT WOLF: Ahhhh, it’s only 3. Sorry.
GUS: But, but….Peter Capaldi.
SIT WOLF: I know, i know.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite websites?
GUS: http://www.youtube.com/, http://www.wikipedia.org/, http://www.globalunderground.co.uk/
SIT WOLF: Reasons?
GUS: Well, YouTube is self explanatory. You can watch so much good stuff on it. Global Underground is good because you can track all the DJs and find out where they are and what they’re upto. Wikipedia is just amazing for the amount of information it has.
SIT WOLF: Is it all true though?
GUS: That’s part the beauty of it though that it might not be true, it all comes from people like us, it’s not a database that provides it. Oh, what about The Arches as well?
SIT WOLF: That’s 4 again!
GUS: Spoil me!
SIT WOLF: Ok…. http://www.thearches.co.uk/

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite blogs?
GUS: I don’t really read a lot of blogs. This one (https://someonesinthewolf.wordpress.com/), Luisa’s one (http://littlenihilist.wordpress.com/) and i’ll need to put in my own one from ages ago. An ill fated blog that i started with a friend. It was intended for movie “reviews”. http://marvinsgottadowhat.blogspot.com/
SIT WOLF: I remember that site. Doomed from the start that was.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite cover versions.
GUS: Klaxons doing Grace’s “It’s Not Over Yet”. Frightened Rabbit covering the N-Trance “classic” of “Set You Free” and the Sneaker Pimps version of “Ashes To Ashes”.
BOTH AT SAME TIME: What a hoot!

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite music videos?
GUS: Nine Inch Nails – “We’re In This Together”, amazing song and video to match. Moderat – “Rusty Nails”, visual genius and the song’s not too bad either! MGMT – “Kids”. It’s a bit trippy and scary. I feel sooo sorry for the little kid in the video.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite TV shows?
GUS: Heroes, The Thick Of It and one that you’ll throw your bottle of beer at me for….Skins.
SIT WOLF: *makes inaudible sound, yet somehow refrains from throwing said bottle of beer*
GUS: It introduced me to so much new music as well.
SIT WOLF: Fair point, the music in Skins is usually really good.

SIT WOLF: Do you play an instrument? If so, which one?
GUS: I’ve played the piano on and off for 8 years. Sadly it’s one of the most impractical instruments if you know what i mean? It’s not like i could ever have dragged the piano down to the studio to jam with you and Simon.
SIT WOLF: Simon was actually teaching me the piano before he went away for summer.
GUS: Well, you can play your piano scarf at the moment!
.

SIT WOLF: If you could make a Supergroup (5 members) that you’d love to hear who would be in it and what would their name be?
GUS: Ok, the name would be Altered States for a start.
SIT WOLF: Think that’s taken man.
GUS: The Stump then.
SIT WOLF: Hahaha. Why?
GUS: Because nobody can shift them! And it’s mildly offensive, that’s always a good thing. The members would be Cedric Bixler Zavala on lead vocal duties, as a programmer i’d have Gerno Bronsert from Modeselektor/Moderat fame. Thurston Moore on guitar, he can make anything sound bizarre yet tuneful. Nicky Wire on bass because he’s a total dick and every band needs a dick. Not too bad on the bass too though! Drummer would need to be Matt Tong of Bloc Party. Keeps brilliant rhythms.

SIT WOLF: Give me and the readers 3 bands that you think we might not know but we should check out?
GUS: BT. He’s this American producer/performer/songwriter. You can listen to him no matter what mood you’re in. He makes really catchy back to basics pop songs that don’t sell themselves short and steer clear of the corny side of that genre. Secondly, is a slowcore kinda band called “Low”. I love chilling out at night time with Low. Nathan Fake would be the last one. No two songs he makes will ever sound the same.

SIT WOLF: What would your ideal gig be (3 bands)? And where would it be?
GUS: The venue would be some tiny little tent  at Benicassim festival. Like my own little VIP tent. Asobi Seksu would open the show than after a few drinks you’d need something crazy so Crystal Castles and then to finish off it would need to be something grand. A spectacle. So Arcade Fire get the nod.

SIT WOLF: Who are your 3 favourite writers?
GUS: Mark Danielewski, Irvine Welsh and Chuck Palahniuk.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite books?
GUS: The House of Leaves, i love the way it’s written. The Rum Diaries, it’s simply anarchy in a book and The Devil In The Kitchen, it’s the autobiography of  my idol Marco-Pierre White.

SIT WOLF: What songs best encapsulate your moods?
A) Happy
B) Sad
C) Angry
D) Lonely
GUS:
A) BT – Always
B) Deadmau5 –  Strobe
C) Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster – Are You Living?
D) Low – Breaker

SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive males in music?
GUS: eh….
SIT WOLF: If you want to skip this it’s cool?
GUS: No i will answer. Just let me think how to without coming across the wrong way. In sense of style i’ll go for Win Butler and Robbie Furze. Butlers choice of clothes really suit him, he does that look quite well. Furze just looks like a rockstar with the shaggy hair and denims. He kinda oozes that coolness that’s needed. And then Deadmau5 cos of his mask!
SIT WOLF: You’re attracted to giant mice? And hey, what about my mask!?
GUS: Yours is way scarier. It’s that infected green eye that does it. It was even scarier when you turned it inside out at the Connect Festival back in 2007.

SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive females in music?
GUS: This is more like it. I really like Florence Welch from Florence and The Machine. Her style and dress sense does it for me. Brody Dalle is another….
SIT WOLF: Careful now that’s my teenage crush/future wife you’re on about there!
GUS: Hahaha, you do love Brody. The third one is Zooey Deschanel.
SIT WOLF: That’s my other future wife. That’s right, i’m a future bigamist.
GUS: *Looks in other direction* Arrest this man.
SIT WOLF: *Puzzled* Who are you talking to?
GUS: The future police.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite album covers?
GUS: The new Foals one “Total Life Forever” is captivating. I like that. I’ve always loved UNKLE’s “War Stories” as well. And the last one would be the Tool one that had the whole hologram effect, i loved that. Intriguing.
SIT WOLF: Aenima?
GUS: That’s the one.

SIT WOLF: What word best sums your musical tastes up?
GUS: Spiky

WORD ASSOCIATION: SIT WOLF words in bold. If anybody doesn’t know how to play word association (which i’m sure everybody does but i’ll explain anyway) it basically involves someone saying a word and you instantly reply with the first word that comes to mind.

AMERICA – Plastic
BLOOD – Ties
CHRISTMAS – Family
DANGER – Mouse
ECSTASY – Comedown
FAILURE – Communication
GOD – Partical
HATE – Pointless
INNOCENT – Me
JOHN – Knowledgeable
KISS – Hopeful
LOVE – Universal
MUSIC – Everyones
NEW YORK – New York
OLD – Classic
PEOPLE – Intimidating
QUIZZES – Fun
REGRET – Irrelevant
SING – Star
TOAST – Speeches
UP – High
VENUE – Promising
WEATHER – Permitting
XYLOPHONE – Awesome
SIT WOLF: I concur, i used one on the last Fragile X track, sounds so unique. Giving the Xylo some love! Some Xylove!
GUS: I liked that track.
YOU – Incomplete
ZULU – Warrior

The conclusion….

MP3:  The XX – Intro

MP3: Vitalic – Your Disco Song (Extended Version)

MP3: Arcade Fire – We Used To Wait

MP3: BT – Always

S.I.T Wolf  X

Oops…nearly forgot…

Are Friends Eclectic #2

Sorry it’s taken so long to get the second episode of this up.

There’s been a few new questions added in and there’s a word assosciation section at the end as well. I already have the next interview lined up, it’s taking place next week with my flat mate Gustav. So that should hopefully be up next weekend.

And on with the interview…readers, meet Emma…

SIT WOLF: Describe music in 5 or less words.
EMMA: For fucks sake i didn’t know it was going to be some sort of philosophical conversation.
SIT WOLF: Hahahahaha! That’s going in!
EMMA: That’s not 5 words but put it in if you like. I don’t like that question. If you slightly changed the question to “What do you like most about music in 5 words?” then i could totally do that and reference Almost Famous at the same time.
SIT WOLF: Ok, well, go with that. *sighs*
EMMA: To begin with, everything.
SIT WOLF: Thank fuck that’s out the way. This is gonna be a long interview.

SIT WOLF: What was the first album you bought?
EMMA: The S Club 7 debut album, in fairness i was very young.

SIT WOLF: What was the last album you bought?
EMMA: Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams.

SIT WOLF: What are your views on illegal downloading/file sharing?
EMMA: I personally don’t do it. But the overriding reason is not moral, it’s more for fear of computer viruses. But i do use Spotify and i have no objections to people sending me stuff they have downloaded. I have mixed views really. On one hand it’s a great way for smaller bands to get recognition, but conversely, i think selling CDs is the primary source of income for most bands. But it really pisses me off when bands like Metallica take it so seriously because A) they’re hugely rich anyway and don’t need the money and B) nobody should pay to have to hear their music. It’s terrible.

SIT WOLF: What was your very first gig?
EMMA: Blink 182 at the Braehead Arena in 2004.

SIT WOLF: What was your last gig?
EMMA: The 7th of May this year The National and Pavement in Paris. Amazing.

SIT WOLF: What’s the next gig you’re going to?
EMMA: So far the only one i have lined up is The National at the 02 Academy in November. I’m not a fan of gigs really. Most of the crowd are made up of assholes and sometimes that can ruin the songs. I prefer to listen to an album as it is, the way it should be.

SIT WOLF: If you were stuck on a desert island and told that you could only listen to 3 albums over and over again for the rest of your life, what would they be?
EMMA: “Automatic For The People” by R.E.M and for a bit of variety i’d go for the Vanilla Sky soundtrack. I couldn’t choose between either “Alligator” or “Boxer” by The National. Don’t make me choose!

SIT WOLF: What 3 songs are currently on constant rotation on your IPod/MP3 Player?
EMMA: “So Alive” by Ryan Adams, “Visions of Johanna” by Bob Dylan and The British Sea Power track “No Lucifer”.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite remixes?
EMMA: I don’t really listen to a lot of remixes to be honest. I quite liked the Dahlback remix of Death From Above 1979’s “Romantic Rights” and the remix of The Nationals “Secret Meeting”. A 3rd one at a push would be the Lady Gaga/Nirvana mash up.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite films?
EMMA: To Kill A Mockingbird. It’s a very comforting film and you see it through the eyes of the child. Also, Gregory Peck plays the most perfect character in the world. Secondly, Vanilla Sky. I love all the film and song references throughout the movie and it has an amazing soundtrack. The twist at the end is really good as well. Third one would be The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, i love the way it’s filmed and it’s really uplifting.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite websites?
EMMA: http://thisrecording.com/, http://www.amazon.co.uk/and http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite blogs?
EMMA: I don’t want to be biased here so i’ll leave out my friends blogs. So the others would be http://magicmolly.tumblr.com/, http://whatwearesupposedtodo.tumblr.com/ and http://bluefugate.tumblr.com/

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite cover versions.
EMMA: Jeff Buckley doing “Hallelujah”, Ryan Adams version of “Wonderwall” and the version of “Song To The Siren” that features in the film Candy.
SIT WOLF: J’adore Ryan Adams take on Wonderwall.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite music videos?
EMMA:  “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M because it’s a childhood memory and did you know that it’s based on the short story “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I also love the new video for “Bloodbuzz Ohio” by The National. They send themselves up in it, playing up on their whole serious, depressing side. My favourite scenes are the ones on the park bench and when he’s lying on the grass with his feet in the air. Lastly, i’ll go for TV on the Radio and “Dreams” for the sole reason that i couldn’t fit them into the desert island question!

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite TV shows?
EMMA: Arrested Development, My So Called Life and 30 Rock.

SIT WOLF: Do you play an instrument? If so, which one?
EMMA: Yes, guitar. Although i haven’t played in ages. But i remember chords and stuff, it’s like riding a bike, you never forget how to do it.

SIT WOLF: If you could make a Supergroup (5 members) that you’d love to hear who would be in it and what would their name be?
EMMA: It would fall apart immediately because the people i would choose would be egotistical songwriters. I’d go for Jeff Buckley, Ryan Adams and either Bryce or Aaron Dessner. Bill Berry on drums because i believe he was secretly the mastermind behind R.E.M. I don’t really know much about bass but i’m gonna go for John Paul Jones because he’s clearly capable and he seems cool as fuck. For a name i’ll go with The Band #2.
SIT WOLF: Good band. Boring name.

SIT WOLF: Give me and the readers 3 bands that you think we might not know but we should check out?
EMMA: Alexi Murdoch. He’s Scottish, He did the soundtrack for “Away We Go”.  A guy called Doveman. And finally N.A.S.A. They’re an indie hip hop group. How surprised are you right now?! There’s lot’s of guest members on the album “The Spirit of Apollo” but it’s really good for putting on before a night out.

SIT WOLF: What would your ideal gig be (3 bands)? And where would it be?
EMMA: Can i pick 3 gigs i wish i was present at then put them together to make the ideal gig?
SIT WOLF: Yeah, sure.
EMMA: Bob Dylan at the Albert Hall in 1966, Jeff Buckley at Sin-E in 1992 and Interpol anywhere in New York in 2002.
SIT WOLF: And whereabouts would this congregate?
EMMA: The Oran Mor in Glasgow

SIT WOLF: Who are your 3 favourite writers?
EMMA: JD Salinger, EE Cummings, F Scott Fitzgerald.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite books?
EMMA: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins and The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.

SIT WOLF: What songs best encapsulate your moods?
A) Happy
B) Sad
C) Angry
D) Lonely
EMMA:
A) Beach Boys – “Sloop John B”
B) The full album “Love Is Hell” by Ryan Adams
C) Fugazi – Merchandise
D) Ryan Adams – Does Anyone Wanna Take Me Home?

SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive males in music?
EMMA: Matt Berninger, he seems like such an adult. He writes sexy lyrics and he’s tall . Stephen Malkmus because his arrogance attracts me. Jeff Buckley, he seemed really nice and he was super talented.

SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive females in music?
EMMA: Zooey Deschanel, she’s just really hot. The twins from School of Seven Bells and the singer in my friends band, i can’t remember her name though.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite album covers?
EMMA: “Boxer” by The National, “Turn On The Bright Lights” by Interpol and Neil Young “Harvest Moon”.

SIT WOLF: What word best sums your musical tastes up?
EMMA: Invariable

WORD ASSOCIATION: SIT WOLF words in bold. If anybody doesn’t know how to play word association (which i’m sure everybody does but i’ll explain anyway) it basically involves someone saying a word and you instantly reply with the first word that comes to mind.

AMERICA – Neil Young
BLOOD – Alkaline Trio
SIT WOLF: It doesn’t have to be music y’know?
EMMA: I know! Carry on.
CHRISTMAS – Tree
DANGER – Red
ECSTASY – Love
FAILURE – Shit
GOD – Not real
HATE – Blue
INNOCENT – White
JOHN – Funny
KISS – Nice
LOVE – Red
MUSIC – Yellow
NEW YORK – Love
OLD – Smell nice. Old books i mean, not people!
PEOPLE – Hate
QUIZZES – Awesome
REGRET – Lauren
SING – Audrey Hepburn
TOAST – Butter
UP – Down
VENUE – Smoking
WEATHER – Rain
XYLOPHONE – Kids books
YOU – Hungry
ZULU – eh…Zoolander

So…..

MP3: Bob Dylan – Visions of Johanna (Live At RAH ’66)

MP3: British Sea Power – No Lucifer

MP3: Ryan Adams – So Alive

MP3: Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill (featured on Vanilla Sky OST)

Seeing as R.E.M are signed to the fuckwits at Warner the video for “Losing My Religion” isn’t embeddable so here’s a live version.

S.I.T Wolf  X

Are Friends Eclectic? #1

This is a new section i’ve decided to start. I’ve had it planned in my head for ages now and i have a few friends willing to be “interviewed”  on their music tastes etc.

First in line to be grilled is Simon…..

SIT WOLF: Describe music in 5 or less words.
SIMON: Constantly evolving but still appealing.

SIT WOLF: What was the first album you bought?
SIMON: I remember buying Orbital’s debut album in a second hand shop in Zurich when i was 14. I bought it because there was a random sticker of Kurt Cobain stuck to it.

SIT WOLF: What was the last album you bought?
SIMON: I left most of my CDs back in Switzerland so i had to go out and buy all my favourites again at the beginning of the year. The last one i bought was Refused “The Shape of Punk To Come”. I have that in 4 formats now!

SIT WOLF: What are your views on illegal downloading/file sharing?
SIMON: Well i’ve only just be re-connected to the internet recently. I’ve been out the loop for a while but i’ve made up for lost time and done my fair share of downloading. I hold nothing against file sharing or downloading. If you really like a band you’re gonna go buy their stuff anyway aren’t you?
SIT Wolf: Couldn’t agree more.

SIT WOLF: What was your very first gig?
SIMON: Shit man, that was a long time ago. I remember my brother Marco dragging me to see The Offspring with him back in 1999. I’d have been 14 at the time.

SIT WOLF: What was your last gig?
SIMON: That would’ve been going to see Emalkay with you and Morgan at the Cabaret Voltaire. About 3 weeks ago.

SIT WOLF: What’s the next gig you’re going to?
SIMON: Modeselektor this coming Friday (9th April @ ABC, Glasgow)

SIT WOLF: If you were told that you could only listen to 3 albums over and over again for the rest of your life, what would they be?
SIMON: The Descendents – “Milo Goes To College”, Queens of the Stone Age – “Songs For The Deaf” and Underworld – “dubnobasswithmyheadman”.

SIT WOLF: What 3 songs are currently on constant rotation on your IPod/MP3 Player?
SIMON: Dead Kennedys – “California Uber Allies”, D.I.M – “Airbus” and The Cramps – “Human Fly”.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite remixes?
SIMON:  IAMX – “Kiss and Swallow (Moonbootica Remix)”, Death From Above 1979 – “Black History Month (Josh Homme Remix)” and The Prodigy – “Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)”

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite films?
SIMON: Saving Private Ryan, the Rocky series but only up until number 4. Anything thereafter is dross. And lastly Hackers. There’s also Shaving Ryan’s Privates, i highly recommend that one. Watch it alone though.
SIT WOLF: I said 3! And sorry, i’m not a fan of styling male pubic hair.

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite websites?
SIMON: http://missingtoof.com/, http://survivingtheworld.net/ and http://www.thedrinkshop.com/

SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite music videos?
SIMON: As much as i hate U2 i always loved the video for “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me”. I’m a sucker for anything to do with Batman. I also thought the lego idea for “Fell In Love With A Girl” by the White Stripes was really original and a brilliant video. My new favourite one is “Window Seat” by Erykah Badu, only cos she gets nekkid!

SIT WOLF: Do you play an instrument? If so, which one?
SIMON: Yes, the bass. And a bit of drums, everyone knows a bit of drums though, right?

SIT WOLF: If you could make a Supergroup (5 members) that you’d love to hear who would be in it and what would their name be?
SIMON: Amazing question. Easy to answer, Cedric Bixler-Zavala on vocals, Kim Thayil and Andy Falkous on guitars, Nick Oliveri on bass and Zach Hill on drums. They’d be called Orange Head.
SIT WOLF: Why Orange Head?
SIMON: Because of THAT joke!
SIT WOLF: Oh yeah…..

SIT WOLF: Give the readers and i 3 bands that you think we might not know but we should check out? Give us a description.
SIMON:  1. The Evpatoria Report. They are a Swiss instrumental rock band. 2. Comanechi. Hectic lo-fi punk duo that includes the drummer from The Big Pink singing. They have songs about “pussy”. 3. Led Zeppelin. They’re this really old band from the 70’s that no one has heard of, i’d most definitely check them out if i were you.
SIT WOLF: Led Zeppelin? Never heard of them…..

SIT WOLF: What would your ideal gig be (3 bands past or present)? And where would it be?
SIMON: It would be at the Hallenstadion (Zurich) and the headliners would be The Mars Volta, with At-The Drive In and Tool supporting.

SIT WOLF: What word best sums your musical tastes up?
SIMON: Sonic.

So…….

MP3: The Mars Volta – Televators

MP3: The Descendents – Myage

MP3: Orbital – Speed Freak (Moby Remix) FROM “HACKERS” OST

S.I.T Wolf X