I'm a rockstar on hiatus - Ask Me (Almost) Anything

[SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease]

I'm a semi-successful musician in a rock band. It's my only occupation, has been for some years. I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of stuff and met a lot of people. Ask me anything. I can't answer everything for various reasons but let's see how it goes...

I know Sharleen Spiteri.

I'm so jealous, I love(d) Texas!

OP, did you support Kasabian when they were Kasabian, or before then?

I used to love songwriting, so therapeutic, I should get back into it!

@BitOfFun

Louise Werner was on the radio while my first child was born into the world. Will never forget it.

"What Do I Do Now?" ? (sorry, couldn't help myself...)

Sna says hi.

@Iamthewombat

Have you ever smoked crack with Shaun Ryder and Bez? If not, why not?

I had to interview Shaun Ryder once. He came down at 11am (interview supposed to be at 10am). He ordered a coke with a double brandy. Mixed the drink, knocked it back, offered me an E and then was ready for the interview!

Do your fans have names, Eg Mixers, Directioners, Panheads?

[quote SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease]@daisychain1620 probably FujiRock in Japan was a favourite. Japanese people enjoy music is a different way to westerners. They made us feel like we were Michael Jackson. The festival is set with view of Mount Fuji, there are giant tropical insects and humid weather. All the bands are in the same hotel (always fun) and they stop to listen between songs, going dead silent. It's all quite an experience![/quote]
Fuji Rock is not held with a view of Mt Fuji (the first ever Fuji Rock in 1997 was held at the base of Mt Fuji but since 1999 it's been held at Naeba ski resort in the mountains of Niigata)
No tropical insects either...but there are lots of mosquitoes and ticks

It is a great festival though and I'm very sad it won't be happening this year

@crosser62

Although life is probably wild, have you been disgusted or shocked by the behaviour of any work colleagues?

In the early days when I was naive, a crew member who I really respected and was close to, did a few things which shocked and disgusted me which eventually led to his dismissal by the record label. One being, after a gig, he invited a friend to our dressing room at a festival. When I walked in, they had the huge mirror laid across to chairs and had several lines of coke and the powder dusted everywhere. They were in the middle of doing lines. At the time (being much younger) it was like seeing your granny shooting up. I was horrified. Now, I realise that drugs are everywhere in the industry so nothing would shock me now. Nothing.

Regarding our rider, you can literally ask for anything and they have to get it for you. It can be infuriating when they get it wrong or don't make the effort. Because when in and unknown city in the world, you cant just pop to the corner shop. Or you're tired or busy and it's dangerous. We all have things we want specifically. The idea of a ridiculous item on a rider is to make sure the original email has been read. Otherwise we will get generic fruit, crisps and water. Grrrrr.

@ConstanceSalinger

If you could never be a paid musician / songwriter again what would your career choice be? Music teacher or author or something completely different?

In the real world, I would either do voiceovers (which I do from time to time) or be an author. I am currently working on a book idea, nothing to do with the industry. I have been offered the chance to DJ, have a radio show, and be a tv host. This may sound strange but I don't want to be famous.

I doubt I've ever heard of you OP

@peanutbutterbanana1

My son is starting ACM music college in December, did you go to a music college. What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?

I'm so sorry but I would say don't bother with music college. I personally think it's nonsense. I would advise him to learn a skill because most musicians I know all have a second job. In our band, even when signed to a major label we had side jobs for a while. Musician friends of mine teach drums, guitar, maths, make films and documentaries, are electricians, do admin, lecture, work in recording studios, teach French, Japanese etc. And that's just a few. Then I would advise him to network. Go to music related events, meet people and stay in contact. For the record, Ed Sheeran went to ACM, and failed. So it also didn't do him any good!

@astraea

What festivals have you played and which is your favourite?

We have played every major festival around the world. Coachella, Lollapalooza (US), Glastonbury (several times), Primavera (Spain) Isle of Wight, Roskilde (Denmark), Reading & Leeds, Splendour in the Grass, Groovin the moo (Australia), and festivals in Iceland, S. Korea, China, Sweden and more. Thats just festivals, our own tours have also taken us far and wide.

@MashedSpud

If you never got into music what career would you have liked to gone into?

Do you eat beans on toast?

Do you knit or crochet?

I was ready to become an advertising copywriter. I met Alex Winter (Bill and Ted) before I was in the band and he offered me a job. He had an agency in the UK, so that was my plan. I kind of fell into the band by accident. If anything I would have been a solo artist but things really took off unexpectedly.

@MashedSpud

If you never got into music what career would you have liked to gone into?

Do you eat beans on toast?

Do you knit or crochet?

I have always hated the mushy texture of baked beans. I learned to knit in school. My mum was always really late to collect me so a teacher gave me an activity to keep me busy. I haven't knitted past the age of 11.

@2020again

How is money split between song writers and performers - so do you earn more if you wrote the song being played compared to other band members compared to where you are just performing a song written by another song writer?

Good question. If no contracts were involved, a court would dictate that songwriters of the lyrics and the music get a 50/50 split. In my band, not everyone is involved in the writing aspect but everyone is involved in the touring and performing of the music and the recording of the albums. So we have worked out a split that is not even but is fair. So even if a member did not write a song, they will receive an income the album sales and radio play etc.

@HugeBowlofChips

What job would you be doing if you weren't in music? And do you ever wish you were doing that job instead?

I have many interests but there is nothing else I'd rather do. I really miss performing live.

@NoProblem123

Did anyone say you need to get a proper job and that you’d never make a living from it ?

If so, have you had the chance to gloat (ideally) in person ?

If yes, were you gracious or a complete git about it

Haha, funnily enough I have always had great support from my friends and colleagues (work before I was in the band). It's my family that thought I was crazy and disapproved and didn't support me. Just living my life now is gloat enough.

@JacobReesMogadishu

I feel a bit deflated reading that Kasabian have a full roast dinner with gravy and cloth napkins before going on stage. I mean it’s not very rock and roll!

Do you have stalker type fans who follow you from gig to gig and scream at you?

YES. We have a few super fans. One followed us all over America and was quite creepy. One day I was sleeping in the tour is outside the venue, alone. It was dark and as I opened the door I was approached by this larger older man. He was brandishing a large long tube. Inside was a photo of me on stage many years earlier that he had taken and it was a terrible photo and very unflattering. My mum has it on her wall.

@Crabeyes

Have you ever dived off the stage?

The bass player once stage dived and knocked out a fan, gave him a bloody nose. We invited him backstage after and he whole band were extremely apologetic. Poor guy! Thankfully he didn't sue us. If it were now though he definitely would have.

[quote serenada]@RedToothBrush

Oh yes - Tim's listening party is the highlight of lockdown. Have you managed to get one of the badges yet?

Also, Mark Ronson (not usually a fan) is very funny online and strangely keeping my sanity at the moment (I think he is slowly losing his)[/quote]

@AnnieCartwright

Has your band ever supported a group who's posters you had on your bedroom wall as a teen?

Did you get good grades in your A levels like your parents told you to?

Do you have a back up plan career-wise?

Yes! Not on my wall but on another band member's wall. I wasn't too bothered as they were before my time but they were really friendly if a little boring. Not very rock and roll, just very normal. It was a great tour and we were very well matched.

@verypeckish

In non-covid times, how often do you rehearse?

Do you ever get bored playing so much of the same stuff all the time?

We rehearse far less than we should in general. We only rehearse for new songs. We tend to remember everything else.

@verypeckish

In non-covid times, how often do you rehearse?

Do you ever get bored playing so much of the same stuff all the time?

There are one or 2 songs I dislike but otherwise I love them all and it's always fun.

@MrsHound

Has he gone? Blimey rock stars don't stay up as late as they used to!

Lol