|
|
Mark Rew, Lead singer/Guitarist for
Catherine recently granted us at 'The Australian Catherine Newsletter'
an interview to share some insight into the new album, the band name of
My Friend The Snake and exactly what he fantasises about......
R&T- Can you describe the
sound MFTS has on the new album? Has it changed since
'Hot Saki' because when 'Hot Saki' was released many fans of Catherine's
previous albums were surprised at the change in sound and style.
MR- It's definitely more pop
and is just another step in growth and development
from the standpoint of a studio project, since in reality that's what we
are
now. Lot's of samples and drum loops. Much more vocal arranging. Those
that
are familiar with our past releases as Catherine will still hear where
we came
from to a slight degree in some songs (I Hate My Band, Flight #518), and
less in
others (Valentine, Elizabeth 6).
R&T- It was told on Jade-V
that Kerry actually sings lead vocals on one of the
new tracks, Is that just a one off thing or will the other MFTS members
be
getting the chance to sing as well?
MR- Kerry was and still is experiencing
a lot of frustration with the
limitations of the drums. Since he has an incredible amount of things to
express, it was
encouraged that he start writing more on his own lyrically and musically.
As a
result, one very personal song (Little Blue) has Kerry on lead vocals in
the
verses.
R&T- Has the title for
the new album been decided yet? At one stage it was going
to be either "My Friend the snake" or "Born Gay". Then MFTS was adopted
as
the new band name...much to the surprise of a lot of Catherine fans.
MR- No title has been decided or
really even discussed. MFTS is only a working
name at this point.
R&T- Would you be willing
to release any of the song titles that may be featured
on the new album as a tease for the fans?
MR- I don't think so. There
is always a chance for trouble when doing something
like that.
R&T- The bands Internet
mailing list Jade-V at the last count was said to have
107 subscribers. Are you happy that you can have such close contact with
some of your fans?
MR- Yeah, it's really cool. In the
past, about all I ever had a chance to say
was, "Thanks for coming to show" or something gay like that and then I'd
be
whisked away to the next show. As a result of the mailing list, I've actually
been
able to talk with, meet and develop meaningful friendships with some people.
R&T- What are your views on the Internet as a whole?
MR- It's like a library to reality.
R&T- Last year on the list
you said any fan that sent their name in would be
thanked in the liner notes of the new album. Will that still be happening?
MR- It's hard to say since we're
shopping to new labels now. Even so, I would
like to thank the people on the list as a whole.
R&T- Has MFTS shown any of their
new material to any labels? If so has there
been much interest or is it too early to say?
MR- It's still too early. It's being
handled by our lawyer anyway so what we
here from her will have been filtered down.
R&T- What would be your
all time favourite basic rig set-up (guitar, pedal, amp)
either live or in the studio?
MR- Since we're not doing traditional
rock, alternative, etc., I don't have a
favourite. Actually I would prefer not to play the guitar at all in a live
situation and concentrate on my voice. Fat chance of that happening. I
may
stick to the acoustic guitar or at least a more clean electric for live
stuff.
R&T- What kind of
desk and production equipment do MFTS use for recording and
mixing?
MR- I'm not much good
at naming off technical stuff but I know we're using a
super fast Mac with 16 tracks of pro-tools, studio vision, loads of plug-ins,
24
tracks of analog, and a trustworthy blender for margaritas, etc.
R&T- How did you like the opportunity to tour Europe last year?
MR- Put it this way, I was
really depressed to have to go back to the states and
I still am.
R&T- Was the atmosphere much different to the shows you play at home?
MR- More attentive and
just being in a world that was more beautiful really
turned me on.
R&T- What have
been some of the more memorable moments you have had since being
together?
MR- I like it when
i meet someone on the road and actually get to know them. It
would be cliche to name off a bunch of times that I was wasted and that's
not really important to me anymore.
R&T- What has been your worst ever experience involving the band?
MR- My flight to
Europe for the first tour, I was more than wasted. Anything
involving anger and frustration and there's been a lot of it. In the studio
especially when for weeks on end I was working basically alone, along with
our engineer, Stevie.
R&T- Do you have a band that was especially fun to tour with?
MR- Hole and Letters
To Cleo. Some early shows with Smashing Pumpkins and The
Frogs. It's never a dull moment with Jimmy & Dennis Frog.
R&T- You have
made quite a few videos, six if I remember correctly. The FLC and
Whisper videos were given a fair bit of promotion here in Australia. Do
you
feel any negative feelings because they weren't given as much airplay in
the USA?
MR- I suppose we
have ourselves to blame more than anything for making some poor
decisions where record label and management are concerned.
R&T- Was there any particular video that was especially fun to do?
MR- Four Leaf Clover.
Our producer, Floria and her crew were amazing. Filming in
Toronto was nice as well.
R&T- When was the last time you got sick because of alcohol?
MR- Do you mean barfing?
Well, I'm happy to say that it's been longer than I can
remember. I could argue that question since I feel that there's a lot to
being sick from alcohol without actually barfing. And that, sadly has
happened more than I care to say.
R&T- Describe your perfect day off?
MR- No pain, mentally
or physically. Perhaps a picnic with red wine on a blanket
with ....someone that shares my ideal of sensuality...near water... not
to
windy or sunny... but warm. And not a lot of people around either but a
few
at a reasonable distance. I could get a lot more detailed but I'll stop
there.
R&T- Who was the last person you fantasised about?
MR- She does not exist.
R&T- When was the last time you cried?
MR- At the new Madeline movie about a week ago.
R&T- Who is the one person that you look up to?
MR- Jacqueline Danion
R&T- Which is more fun playing live, in the studio or producing?
MR- They can all be a dream or a nightmare, given the circumstances.
R&T- Do you listen to many other bands in your pastime? If so who?
MR- I'm rarely
listening to anything right now. A case of over stimulation. I
did hear the first song off the latest Madonna. I liked that a lot. I like
Pug
off of Adore. Some Bjork and Pizzicato Five.
R&T- If your new album is successful, will you be considering touring?
MR- Most definitely. I love to tour. A lot of people hate and I don't get it.
R&T- What do you consider to be the best word in the world?
MR- This reminds
me of once when my wife asked me the same question. Hers was
'fuck' but she's French and likes the way it sounds. I never really thought
about it. I guess if I had to choose one without thinking too much about
it,
it would be 'yes'.