Josh Doyle
20 Questions
Sunday 21st of November 2004
By Steve
1. How did you come up with your band name?
I took it from the singer of a band I was into called the Dumdums. They were like this punk pop, XTC type band with great songs but were exploited by sad record company execs who have gone on to make millions out of their likeness by creating boybands in their image named Busted and McFly. Much like if you took an original Monet and photocopied it then coloured it in with felt tips and said 'this is as soulful and meaningful as the original'. Well that band the Dumdums influenced my name.
Ok just kidding - I know that Busted and McFly are fans of the Dumdums so I should appreciate their flattering imitation.
2. How long has the band been going?
My solo project has only been officially going a few months, but I have been writing the songs for it for a couple years.
3. In one sentence how would you best describe your music?
The perfect music to fall asleep to with your headphones on, riding the train.
4. Who/what would you consider are your most inspiring musical influences?
In this project, the postal service, Pearl Jam, the sound that electric streetlights make when they fizzle on, the sight of flying over a large American city at night as its all lit up and lonely.
5. Apart from your mum, who/what are your most important non-musical influences?
Kierkegaard, French New Wave cinema directors, The Photo Book, pictures of electric wastelands.
6. What's the thing that sets your band apart from the rest?
The beats, the sounds and the live shows - with a pc on stage and me on guitar and voice.
7. Where was the first gig you ever played?
The first ever would be with my first band, States, in a barn in Pluckley, Kent, I believe.
8. Where was the best gig you ever played and why?
Wow what a question. Our sold out Shepherds Bush Empire show Vs Sold out Wembley with Bon Jovi Vs 200,000 at Party in the Park right after Queen Vs in front of no-one at the Islington red eye. I can't choose.
9. What was your most embarrassing moment whilst playing live?
Well unfortunately I have a long history of these. Getting sick on stage at Glastonbury supporting Flaming Lips; choking on my Plectrum in Newquay; falling off my amp on cd:uk and missing my cue. There are probably lists somewhere.
One of our first gigs a man came on stage, tore down the lighting rig and said he wanted to have my babies. That was more intimidating than embarrassing though.
10. What was the first gig you ever went to?
Possibly Poison? Or else a Christian band that came through the church youth club you know how that is. I was playing gigs before I ever went to one.
11. If you could choose the line up for the best gig in the world who would be on it and where would you stage it?
These are fun questions - Foo Fighters are always a safe bet for an entertaining show, Pearl Jam circa 'vs', James Taylor circa 'mud slide slim', Ben Folds Five, At The Drive In, U2, Beck, Bride, Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkel, The Who (circa who sells out), The Doors (circa the debut album), Bob Marley and the Wailers (so my girl would get off my back and have someone to watch), The Carpenters, XTC, Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell, Metallica. All the classics and the gig would be at the Hollywood Bowl in California, with everything turned up to 11.
It would be more like a festival by the looks of it.
12. What was the last album you bought/downloaded/copied/nicked?
Bought - Brian Wilson's masterpiece Smile.
13. What's your favourite song lyric?
Obviously impossible - in my head is the lyric from Frank Zappa'a Plastic People, off the 'Freak Out' album 'Be a loyal plastic robot in a world that doesn't care'. Or another Zappa lyric 'Call any vegetable, call it by name, call it today, when you get off the train..'
14. What's your take on the current state of modern music?
It's pretty great now isn't it? Lots of overrated bands though who get so inflated by the press. Its only a matter of time before the balloon bursts and we'll see a shrivelled up piece of plastic. We still aren't a patch on the late 60's early 70's - even the 'sad pop music' of the day was amazing.
15. What makes you switch off the radio?
Stuff without a tune or just utterly derivative. In the states we get a lot of nu-grunge still. When are they going to stop buying it?
16. Which animated character do you have the most empathy with and why?
Wolverine cause he's self destructive, manly and has a lot of hair.
17. If you could have a drink with any dead musician who would it be?
Jim Morrison.
18. If you were a groupie, who's tour bus would you try and sneak onto and why?
Pearl Jam because I want some of Eddie's hair for my voodoo doll.
19. What are your day jobs?
Father & songwriter - so far still surviving. Oh and run my own record company now.
20. Anything to confess?
Just basic stuff, I've gone to dirty websites and I feel bad about it. Porn degrades women. Oh were you joking? Yeah well say no to porn. Really for what it is, the ability to create a life, sex is being cheapened more than ever these days. San Dimas High School Football Rules!!
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