Ballyhoo about the Bunnymen

[In The Margins]

http://www.todayonline.com/Plus/EDC1002 ... e-Bunnymen

Iconic '80s band to bring their show to Singapore

BACK in the '80s, Echo And The Bunnymen (picture) were the darlings of alternative music, with their shoegazer attitude tempered by some of the most catchy tunes you'll ever hear from any alt-rock band of the era, from Bring On The Dancing Horses to Bedbugs And Ballyhoo.

Today, Echo And The Bunnymen still draw them in - although singer Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant are the only original members remaining. They recently sold-out their headlining shows at the Laneway Festival in Australia, and will be here on Monday for a concert at the Esplanade. We got Will on the phone for chat.

So what's your show going to be like?

We're going to play all our old hits and some new ones. We always try and keep the fans happy. That's kind of what we're all about. That's why we still play the old songs.

Are you surprised your Australian shows sold out?

Oh, did they? I didn't know that! It's just another day at the office for me. I mean, you know, you play gigs all the time. I don't worry about what we're doing too much.

What do you feel about critics who say you're nothing but an Echo covers band?

People can say that if they like! We're not really a cover band - we've still got Ian singing and I'm playing guitar. I'd say that was the two main elements. We don't like to have new versions or whatever. We'd rather stick to the old stuff, we're a bit of a stickler like that - especially on the drums. The great thing is, our drummer Nick (Kilroe) loves Pete De Freitas (Echo's old drummer) , so he knows how to play like that.

What matters is playing the music and people coming to see us playing that music. I'm a realist. I know how it works. Like when I think of The Rolling Stones I think of Satisfaction and Gimme Shelter, I don't think of what they did a couple of years ago. I know where we are in the world. I know where our place is in the universe. We just play the stuff and people still appreciate it, which is great.

What's the worst thing about being in Echo?

I'd say the worst thing is the waiting around. I think Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones said, "We've spent 25 years touring, but spent five of that actually playing." Other than that, it's great. Better than being down in the mines! You can't really complain, can you?

Doesn't it get boring?

It's a two-way road. Say, we're doing a festival like where there's a lot of heavy metal bands or something, and the people don't know anything about us or who we are or are not really interested or whatever, then that will be rubbish and you get fed up with it.

But when you play somewhere where the crowd are really into it, then it's going to be good. It's cosmic energy that goes both ways and it builds into a crescendo and you can't stop it. But you've got to get it flowing first.

[black francis]

God I love Will.

[Mr. Brian]

What's the worst thing about being in Echo?

I'd say the worst thing is those fuckers on the VT forum over analyzing everything we do. But I love them anyway.

I fixed that for ya

[black francis]

Quote of the year:

"I know where we are in the world. I know where our place is in the universe. We just play the stuff and people still appreciate it, which is great."

[DivaDiana77]

Better than working in the mines.

what was that about not seeing himself stocking shelves until he snuffs it in another interview. I want them to come out with something great next time. Anything is possible. Vampire Weekend came out of nowhere just about. Someone please send a copy to Ian.

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[Sick4Tunz]

But when you play somewhere where the crowd are really into it, then it's going to be good. It's cosmic energy that goes both ways and it builds into a crescendo and you can't stop it. But you've got to get it flowing first.

My sentiments exactly

Ccoachella is calling and I am weak

[Frank The Bunny]

too many goddamn hippies...

[DivaDiana77]

There really will be some awesome other bands too. Bring a tent and you can camp there. I'm still deciding how I will go. Vampire Weekend is putting me over the top.

[Crystal Days]

People can say that if they like! We're not really a cover band - we've still got Ian singing and I'm playing guitar. I'd say that was the two main elements.

Is that comment more acceptable to us all because it came from Will rather than Mac?

[Voodoo Billy]

Bring a tent and you can camp there.

You can "camp"? That should appeal to a few on here, not naming any names!

[black francis]

Is that comment more acceptable to us all because it came from Will rather than Mac?

I took it to mean they are the two main elements now and they don't want to change that. But I could be mistaken.

[the ghost of guitarplayer]

Talking about Will, kind of Sir Digby Chicken Caesar type art direction going on there, but you gotta love this kind of vids.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfNPPx_P7WA[/youtube]

[withahip]

I am going to get the remaster of Crocs today - because of that vid.

[tonywojo]

I am going to get the remaster of Crocs today - because of that vid.

hippy

[Sick4Tunz]

Bring on the Gordy cam! The way he moves on stage it would be a dizzying experience.