Top Bunny: Ian McCulloch

[In The Margins]

http://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/62052/


“I didn’t think I would enjoy this,” Ian McCulloch said, sneeringly, a few songs into a recent secret show at the Mercury Lounge. “But it’s going to be a fantastic evening. I’m going to pick you off one by one.” The Echo & the Bunnymen front man is famous for his eviscerating wit, showcased on his band’s eleventh album, The Fountain. He also may or may not be God. Mac, as he calls himself, spoke to Lizzy Goodman.

I like the new album more than I thought I would.
So do I. The power of it surprised me. And the last song, “The Idolness of Gods,” is one of the best I’ve written. It’s poetic, but that wasn’t the plan when I wrote the lyrics. It’s similar to when I wrote “The Killing Moon,” where I felt like the chorus was given to me by divine inspiration. With “Idolness” it’s God saying to me, “Would you write me a song, one that I can sing? Because I’ve gotten lazy.” It’s a bit like Faustus; God obviously helped me write “The Killing Moon,” and then I had to write a song for God somewhere down the line.

So you’re all paid up?
Yeah, all is good. Unless I’m God, in which case …

You weren’t raised in a religious house, but are you religious?
Yeah. I’ve always felt this innate guilt. I love putting people in their place, but I hate making them feel sad. Unless it’s through a song. I had this feeling recently that I might become a Catholic. I do like the idea of the confessional box. But maybe my songs are like a confessional box—most of them are explaining or hinting at my frailties and faults or romanticizing them.

In some of the interviews you’ve done for this record, you’ve talked about two versions of yourself, sort of like a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality.
I’m writing my memoirs, and out of the mad stream-of-consciousness bonkers crap I write, I’ll do a page that makes you tingle. One of the chapter titles is “Hiding From Jekyll.” I’ve had all these voices in my head my whole life. I used to say that there were at least eight different versions of me. One was Mac 8, who my manager and best friend experienced. People have said he’s the scariest thing they’ve ever seen. Mac 3 is the best—he’s the sexiest, the funniest, and the most confident.

A popular opinion about the Bunnymen is that, big as you are, you could have been as big as U2.
Bands all say they want to be as big as U2, but weirdly no one ever says they’re influenced by them. That’s because there’s nothing there, really. They’ve got good tunes, and you can see that it works on 14-year-olds. But I can’t see mature people or kids who are looking for something, something deep—something that you just know it’s art and it’s going to change your life—caring. For U2 it’s always flag-waving and “Yippee.” That’s a failing of Springsteen as well. I saw him at Glastonbury and it’s like, What are you doing, climbing into the crowd? It’s not a football match, it’s about making someone see the light—a proper inside light.

Read more: Q&A With Echo & the Bunnymen Front Man Ian McCulloch -- New York Magazine http://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features ... z0X28SP3pb

[Scouser]

Jesus change the fucking U2 record you tit

[Dr Cheese]

I like the new album more than I thought I would.
So do I. The power of it surprised me. And the last song, “The Idolness of Gods,” is one of the best I’ve written. It’s poetic, but that wasn’t the plan when I wrote the lyrics. It’s similar to when I wrote “The Killing Moon,” where I felt like the chorus was given to me by divine inspiration. With “Idolness” it’s God saying to me, “Would you write me a song, one that I can sing? Because I’ve gotten lazy.” It’s a bit like Faustus; God obviously helped me write “The Killing Moon,” and then I had to write a song for God somewhere down the line.

I hope this is Mac using his "eviscerating wit" otherwise he's more deranged and deluded than I gave him credit for.

[Scouser]

I think Dave Smith wrote that bit

[black francis]

"What are you doing, climbing into the crowd? It’s not a football match, it’s about making someone see the light—a proper inside light."

Didn't he say not too long ago he wasn't interested in the audience?

Now he's going to show us the light?

[Dr Cheese]

I think Dave Smith wrote that bit

I think Dave Smith is Mac.

[Scouser]

He's certainly as deluded about The Fountrain

[zabird]

"What are you doing, climbing into the crowd? It’s not a football match, it’s about making someone see the light—a proper inside light."

Didn't he say not too long ago he wasn't interested in the audience?

Now he's going to show us the light?

How can he show us the light if he doesn't LIKE the light?

And then there's the Eight Faces of Eve ... I mean Mac. That explains a lot. Maybe it's Mac 8 who's discounted Les, Pete and even Will in recent interviews.

[Mr. Brian]

Maybe Mac is a Cylon. There are 12 Cylon Models referred to by their model numbers

[In The Margins]

You've got to admit, this is a great title: “Hiding From Jekyll."

It's a shame he wasn't raised Roman Catholic. I think his lyrics would have flourished in the guilt, but he never would have had any success because the guilt would have stifled that.

[Mr.Sparkle]

Ian has always given pretty funny interviews but I've honestly never noticed how crazy he was until the new album came out. Has he always been THIS over the top about his songwriting ability? I know he has a huge ego, but some of the stuff he's been saying recently is just nuts. Unless he's kidding, then it's pretty funny. I guess it's still pretty funny if he's being serious, but in a different way.

[zabird]

Ian has always given pretty funny interviews but I've honestly never noticed how crazy he was until the new album came out. Has he always been THIS over the top about his songwriting ability? I know he has a huge ego, but some of the stuff he's been saying recently is just nuts. Unless he's kidding, then it's pretty funny. I guess it's still pretty funny if he's being serious, but in a different way.

Perhaps there was a coup in Mac's brain, and a Mac 8-led junta is now in charge. Or else he's else he's got a touch of Julian Cope-itis.

[In The Margins]

He does seem even more full of himself this time around, but in a happy sort of way.

I don't know what that means.

[shadows on the trees]

Mac 3? Mac 8? I'll take a MacBook, thanks.

[Dr Evil]

Unfortunately the latest version of Mac is a zero.