Goldie lookin chain interview

By Marina Bunzl

Goldie Lookin Chain interview

By Marina Bunzl

I interviewed Rhys (aka P Xain) from Goldie Lookin Chain prior to their gig in Exeter. I had read interviews with him in the past so I knew what to expect. Their ‘influences’ as listed on Myspace: TV, Weed, Cheap Gold. Their, somewhat discrediting, ‘sounds like’: ‘swearing in time to music’. Nothing, however, could prepare me for this.

Why did you call your (2005) album 'Safe as F***' over the other option, 'Safety in Numbers'?

"We were in London, sitting in a hotel room with the guy from the record company. He asked us [what we were calling it] on the spot and I just panicked. Safety in Numbers seemed like something we were gonna do but never did. We did one a while ago called 'Under the Counter' (2008) - not a lot of people know about that. (It was limited edition) We have lots of plans for the future. We have a couple of albums out next year; we're thinking of calling one 'sex' and one 'education'."

In a recent interview Eggsy, member of the eight man group, said 'I’m really looking forward to the next album as we’ve taken that up a notch in the filth stakes. Define 'the filth stakes'.

"Well I think our last album was relatively clean. Our next album...well, some is really crass. I'm not sure if some are gonna make it on it. We did one about ladies with oversized vaginas...not sure if that will make it on it. One about having a rolex" (I naively assumed Rolex watch. It later became apparent he meant ecstasy)

"Some of the live stuff we are doing is about being stuck in a K-hole (distortions in bodily awareness due to high doses of the drug Ketamine)

or how computer games make people go crazy. Type it in on google - you'll see kids going crazy!"

In the past you said ' Record labels take all your money and use it on cocaine and helicopters'. Was this your experience?

(Enviously) “They get all the cocaine and helicopters. It’s outrageous! (Pause) They’re really good but at the same time really bad. All record companies! They’re like the ying and yang, the Devil but also Jesus. You can’t have good without evil and they are both at the same time. They haven’t a clue what they’re doing..it’s a mess! I’m hearing terrible stories about what’s going on with Paramore at the moment. They’re being pushed..their record label doesn’t want to spend any money on them. It is really weird. This is how it works; they a ridiculous amount of money on your first record but then it comes to the second and they don’t spend any! They assume you have a fan base that is following everything. Did you know Arctic Monkeys have a third album out? Ridiculous!”

You are not new to touring. Do you have a favourite place to go to?

“Yeah, we've done a lot. We did 250 gigs in 2005 and 180 in 2005. I love being on tour, travelling, visiting all the charity shops and then getting back on the bus. Scotland is amazing. Have you been?”

No.

“You must go! I had never been before we got in the band. It's one helluva place to go. It's major. Brilliant.”

How was your experience on tour with Feeder?

“It was alright. They're a cool band. It was a big production tour so we didn't really speak to Feeder. We've done a load of stuff with them, we speak to them and stuff but on tour they were kept on one side and us on the other. Infact he (frontman Grant Nicholas) lost his voice so we had to re-factor them into a tour later on, about 6 months later when he got better.”

I’m sure there are plenty but tell me one crazy story from touring.

“There are quite a lot! (Pause) At Reading there was a giant turd outside our bus. It rained that day so we watched it go from a perfectly glazed turd to a big slurry of shit.”

...Lovely.

“We said it was mike that did it, back to his bottom problems!” (Laughs)

“Also Portsmouth [was crazy]. Maggot just met a girl and did things with her..He was looking for a bride. On this tour he's looking for his lost children that he has had over the past years.”

Do you have a favourite song to sing?

"We made a song in 2001 called leisure wear. We did a more modern version recently and made a version for it on our mobile phones. It's on our website (www.youknowsit.co.uk) It's good fun 'cause there's so much in it. If we get it right, we're laughing but if one person screws up it's like pack of cards.”

You have encountered some bumps along your music career path. Has GLC's outlook on life changed over the past few years in any way?

“Yeah I think it has. We've mellowed.” (Pause) “Before we were a bit more crazy; things would get smashed up, food flung everywhere. Food now stays on tables! Mike Balls nearly died in 2006, had to go to hospital for like a month. He thought he was gonna die before 30. He’s now 30 so he has upped it to 40!”

Why was he in hospital for a month?

“The doctors had misdiagnosed him for like 5 yrs! He had a massive hemorrhage in his internal organs. His bowels exploded but he got a month on morphine. For FREE!! You know what I'm saying.”

I hear you are a massive fan of Nandos. Any particular reason?

“Its posh fast food. KFC with plates, knives and forks. The chicken may have been dead for 10 years but I like hot spicy food.”

Who is your favourite current artist?

“Heard of engineers? Got an album out this year. They're really good. Also I'm vibing off JLS at the moment.”

Is there any current artist you would be keen to collaborate with?

“JLS.”

Your music draws a very mixed reaction. While some find the lyrics witty and clever, some are disgusted and find them crude. What comment do you have for those that that think the latter?

“There is nothing wrong with being crude! Everyone like a good old fashioned British laugh. 'Your mums got a penis' is something you would say if you're a little kid. We're just trying to making people laugh. It's all about liberals and free thinkers.”

In your private lives do you still act like the characters the public view you as?

Have u ever seen 'The Inbetweeners'?

Yes..

Well we are like the Inbetweeners! What we do is shocking.

E4 summarizes the popular TV series as ‘the psyche of the British teenage boy and discovers equal amounts of porn, sick and cheap lager.’ ‘All they care about is sex, cheap booze, kid brothers.’

Their likeness became increasingly apparent as our interview progressed.

What kind of things do you do to chill out?

“Mostly, we watch horror films, really bad horror films from the 80s. Our newest member, Graham the Bear, brings them on the bus, sits there and at the end you might see a pair of boobs and someone gets up. After that you end up drinking two bottles of vodka. We try to chill out but it doesn’t happen!”

Back in 2005 your performance at an England vs Wales game sparked some controversy. You dedicated your song ‘Your Missus is a Nutter’ to David and Victoria Beckham. Please explain.

“It was a landmark game between England and Wales. The Welsh FA were embarrassed by it. Basically, because they are idiots.”

It seems that there is no topic you would consider too vulgar. You said earlier this year in an interview with Virgin Music that one of your lyrics in a single from your coming album is 'one thing in your life that should never be seen is your mum chomping on your dad's pene'.

(Enthusiastically cutting in) “The next part of the lyrics is something like 'then there’s your mum up your dads a***, then it’s your mum drinking c** from a glass'.”

Is there not a point at which you think this is too far or are you determined to keep on shocking?

“These are real life situations - my missus' next door neighbours parents were porn actors! I used to think there was a point that was too far but now I don't think you can take it too far. Jimmy Carr has said some outrageous things in the past. After the Jonathon Ross and Russell Brand saga you can say what you want. Liberals and free thinkers - that's what it's all about!”

What is your view on climate change? Is it something you find concerning?

“It is funny you ask that as I actually just put up a blog today about it.

If you look on our tour blog – www.glctour.blogspot.com – and scroll down you can find ‘Maggot’s Mission’. There’s a short film you can watch. He has just done a climate investigation for the BBC in Wales.”

Many of your songs contain violent language and images. Your song 'Bad Boy Limp' advertises where to find easy money with lyrics such as 'Pick up the phone, the number is free, remember kids, No win no fee!' Are you not concerned about the message you are sending out to some potentially young fans?

“Not really. The young fans shouldn’t be using the phone without their parents’ permission!”

Finally, please teach me some GLC slang.

“Are you razz or what?” – “Hello, are you ok?”

“Do you know chips?” – “Is there a chip shop ‘round here?”

“Alriiiight (with weird inflection) – Welcome.”

“We’re thinking of doing an album called ‘Learn to speak ‘Port'.”

These boys have many plans for the future! Their album 'ASBO4LIFE' came out in March 2009 and they are about to kick start their UK tour. First stop, Exeter Phoenix on 4th December.