I ask John about Natural
History, that someone once interpreted it as 'a stained and
black humoured run through some of life's grit'. He nods in
agreement. Though would it be wrong for me to interpret that
this album is more personal, given the fact that it's been given
the eponymous title?
"It is in a way, you're quite right. On some of the songs
I am using less poetic language and more direct language. However
there are two songs which are very highly obscure. Because I
only ever really write about myself and things that occur to
me and they're not necessarily easily interpreted and I understand
that."
Is one of those songs "Proof"? Its acoustical introduction
draws the attention
to his vocals, quite intimate, it's almost as if he's singing
about being in a band. Is that the case?
"No it's not about being in a band. I'd never write about
that because it's shite. I can understand how the lyrics could
be and that's how the lyrics came and me talking to her, saying
'swell we're living in a hotel'. No it's not about that."
You see this is what you get from being lyrically clever. John
laughs.
Does he find that he's been influenced by a lot of poets or
authors for the usage of metaphors?
"I was always a massive fan of John Cooper Clarke. I don't
think any of my stuff is anything like his. I think he's one
of the few bonafide geniuses that we've got. I've gigged a lot
with poets."
This is something that may account for tonight's choice for
first support as the Superqueens tried to mix poetry and storytelling
to beats and visuals.
John modestly continues, "I have a poetic sense of things
I suppose but I've always read a lot. I don't consciously write
things down, they just spring into consciousness. If it's right
then I'm lucky that way."
I tell John that I think the band's talent has had a lot to
play in the success
as well. He thanks me and pats me on the shoulder. Though how
does he feel about that success? >>
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