What is the first LP you have ever bought?
Van : It was not a LP but a tape of The Fine Young Cannibals. I think I was 8.
Jennings : It was Joshua Tree. A tape too.
Which Artist motived you to set up a Band ?
Van : I don’t think there was one. I mean there is so much inspiration everywhere, you know. I just remember from a very early age watching my dad and my uncle playing guitar and I said « It is what I want do »
Jennings : I say it’s as Van Said because where we were growing up our family played music during parties. My uncle and my dad got together and everybody played music. It’s a very impressionable thing. I remember saying I want to be a part of that, I want to contribute to that. When I was little in the States there used to be The Muppet Show with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. I watched them and they looked like they were having a good time. So it’s what I wanted do.
Serge Gainsbourg is like a God !
What is your favorite album ?
Van : I don’t have a favorite album. I have many albums I love but I don’t have a favorite album. I can’t think about that!
Jennings : I remember the first time Van played me The History of Melody Nelson. Serge Gainsbourg. And It was like … Whoooooo ! Fantastic album.
Van : Every album He made.
What is the last album you bought ?
Van : The last album I purchased ? Oh Boy ! I can’t remember. It’s been like years. I usually get LPs from Prince for free or trade. I don’t steal music because I don’t really ought to. I listen to Spotify. Some people hate Spotify, I use it ! The last album that I bought, it’s probably Lightnin’ Hopkins Record. He’s the father of the Rock’n’Roll Guitar.
Jenning : It’s a couple of years now because I have Spotify. I remember I bought it on Itunes. It was a Serge Gainsbourg Album : Aux armes et caetera, his Reggae album.
It’s incredible that you appreciate this French artist.
Van : Serge Gainsbourg is like a God ! You have your idols. You have people in your own category. You have Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Serge Gainsbourg, The Beatles, Black Sabbath. These people do their own thing, like Leonard Cohen. These Huge people, you know. Serge Gainsbourg is one these people. He’s little known in the States, though. He has an enormous catalogue of incredible music. It’s fuckin’ Crazy
Do you know other french musicians ?
Van : Yes ! Heldon.
Jennings : Richard Pinhas. You never heard of Heldon ? It is an incredible 70’s band.
Van : Interface. Check out this album. It’s incredible. It’s like Electronic and synth music and some guitar playing. There is also Jacques Brel, Jean-Claude Vannier.
Which song gives you the amazing strength to dance like a beast ?
Van : Oh Man !
Maybe you never dance
Van : Oh no I love to dance. I like Mickael Jackson’s songs, Motown’s songs, all american black Music.
Jennings : Pretty Little Thing. P.Y.T. from the Thriller album (Van sing « Pretty little things, Repeat after me …I said Na na na ») or anything like Feta Kuti or Jorge Ben.
Van : Jorge Ben is an Afro-Brazilian Musician ! You know this song by Rod Steward (He sing Da Ya Think I’m Sexy ?). He stole that from Jorge Ben’s Song (Jenning whistle Taj Mahal). Rod Steward has been in Brazil, he forgot that he heard it and he used it. Jorge Ben said « Hey. It’s my song » Rod Steward « Oh Fuck. You’re right ! » and he turned back the money. Thank you !!!
What album did you buy for its jacket ?
Jennings : Give me a second to think about this.
Van : I literally don’t think I ever have… fuck ! You and James bought me the Atomic Rooster record. You know that band, the Atomic Rooster ? It’s just a ridiculous band from the eighties called the Atomic Rooster. They bought me that record because they thought it was hilarious. What did the cover look like again?
Jennings : Just a bunch of dudes in tights !
Van : We didn’t buy it for the music.
Jennings : Some of their stuff is kind of cool
Van : Maybe you could just jack off to the CD !
What LP would one be surprised to find in your record case ?
Van : There is one rare record that I have. I think only a few hundred were made. It’s a transcendental meditation music made with the solstice. It’s an improvisation on Harp music by Joel Andrews. It’s pretty intense. It’s kind of early new age music. It’s call The Violet Flame.
If Pontiak was a cocktail. What would the recipe be ?
Van : One ounce of good Cognac
Third of ounce of Benedictine
Third of ounce of Grand Marnier
Third of ounce of Chartreuse
A couple drops of Angostura Bitters
A very small of Mole Bitters
Stir on ice, put out and put a slice of orange. That’s so lovely !
Vincent GILOT aka Le Guise
interview done the 9th of May
La Malterie Venue, Lille