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Current mood:  chipper Category: Music
I was recently lucky enough to do a cyber-interview with one of my musical heroes, Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers. It has just been published in Players Inc magazine with pictures and a review of a Bon Jovi gig I saw last year. Have a look at it. Meanwhile, Jake's words are below. Jake Burns Speaks Following our Stiff Little Fingers themed issue, regular Players Inc contributor Barry Hindmarch caught up with lead singer Jake Burns who kindly answered a few questions on life, music and football especially for us. Which do you prefer (and why):
Guinness, Brown Ale or Bourbon?
A: Out of those three, I'd probably go with Guinness although having said that, more than four and I feel like I've had a three course meal ! Can't stand whisk(e)y in any of its forms, so Brown Ale would be second. By choice though, I'd drink lager.
Belfast, Newcastle or Chicago?
A: Newcastle. Not simply because I'm talking to you. It's a truthful answer. I love Chicago and it (finally after four years here) feels like home but I'm afraid I've become one of those sad, misty eyed old bastards as soon as I see the Tyne Bridge !
Inflammable Material or Drinking Again?
A: Totally different periods of my life. I think both records could have been better produced. (And I produced the second one myself !!) Actually of all the records I've been involved in, those are the two most chaotic in terms of recording. One was rushed into 12 days and the other seemed to drag out over a week-end here, an afternoon there etc. To be honest, I don't really listen to our records once they're done. I don't know many musicians who do.
Touring or recording?
A: Touring, definitely. I think that's obvious by how long it's taken us to record a follow-up to "Guitar & Drum" ! I feel much happier on a stage than in a studio, although I enjoy both.
St James's Park or Wrigley Field?
A: No contest. St. James's. Watching baseball is a completely different way to spend an afternoon than being at a football game. People bring beer to your seat and encourage you to drink it ! (OK, that's alright and God knows there were times enough at Newcastle I could have used a drink !) But, it all kind of fosters an armchair mentality as opposed to the "edge of your seat, screaming til you're blue in the face" intensity that I prefer.
Who have you been listening to recently?
A: A lot of different stuff. It's difficult to find things that aren't "Pop Idol" style manufactured crap but it's out there. Old favourites with new(ish) albums like Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson etc. are always close at hand. Some off the wall things like the Fleet Foxes are interesting. And, as I've just come back from a short trip to Texas, a lot of Willie Nelson !
Favourite band ever (apart from SLF)?
A: Difficult. Different bands for different reasons. I adored The Clash for the first three albums (and parts of "Combat Rock"). Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Beach Boys, The Who, Bob Marley. Best live act I've ever seen though would be Tom Waits.
Favourite Film?
A: Changes with the weather ! "The Wizard of Oz" when I was a kid. "The Godfather 1 & 2" when I got older. (Although "Godfather 3" isn't quite as bad as some people would have you believe...not quite.)
Song you wish you had written?
A: Fuck me! A million of them. "White Man in Hammersmith Palais", "Oliver's Army", "Johnny Was", "Heroes & Villains". The list could go on all night.
Song you wish you hadn't?
A: Ah, much easier ! "Closed Groove" on the first album. Never liked it. Never thought it fitted. Always thought the album would have been stronger without it.
Best song you have written?
A: Not really for me to say, but my personal favourites have always been: "Just Fade Away" and "Strummerville".
Favorite footballer of all time?
A: Peter Beardsley. The guy had it all. The tricks, the work rate, the vision and could finish as well. But, you already know that !
Best football match you have ever seen?
A: God that's hard. I'm the sort of masochist who really enjoyed the first 4-3 loss to Liverpool simply because of the quality of the football. Probably the most exciting (and ultimately typically bloody Newcastle United-ish) was the 3-2 win over Barcelona, simply because we could have finished them off and not had to worry about losing 1-0 at their place ! However, for sheer enjoyment, I'm going with the 5-0 win over you know who.
Why did you end up following NUFC, and did you support someone else before?
A: Before I moved to Newcastle I had a couple of "preferences". Growing up in Belfast, my local team was Cliftonville, who sadly were terrible. Always. Then, like most kids I took up with the most successful team from "over the water", who at the time were Liverpool. On moving to London, I had a season ticket at Fulham, when Malcolm McDonald was in charge. My first marriage brought me to Newcastle and that's when I found the team I would be stuck with. I first went to St. James's when Iam MacFaul was in charge. Saw relegation, the return of Keegan and everything since. I still (along with a couple of other idiots) get up as early as 6 a.m. on a Saturday and wend my way to a local pub so I don't miss a game. These lads help as well: www. toonarmyusa. com
Who would you most like to work with?
A: There are a number of people I really admire but I would need to know exactly where I'd fit in. I think anything that is different from what people think they know me for. (Does that make sense ?) There was some talk a while ago of my working with Sinead O'Connor, that would have been interesting.
If you were me, what question would you have asked, and what would the answer be?
A: Do you know I actually asked that very question in a Civil Service interview way back in the day ! They weren't very civil. Didn't give me the job !
12:36 PM
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