01.22.07
Interview with: MONOMANIA
By Stacy Sardelli
Editor in Chief

Alternative / Indie / Gothic

Monomania are: Rick 'Glaz' Cummings, Alex Redhead, and Barry Parkin.

Official partial description: "Monomania's debut single 'In Your Element' was released on the Ugly Man record label that launched Elbow and I Am Kloot nonetheless. It went on to be the 'X-posure Big One' on the John Kennedy XFM radio show in London. The legendary John Peel was also a fan and aired Monomania's early demo 'What Next EP' on BBC Radio One. Conrad Murray and Terry Christian on Manchester GMR radio are also fans of monomania's material. Prior to the formation of monomania Glaz also released a single with Thrush Puppies for the 4AD label."

Interview

Babble & Beat - How, where and when did Monomania form? Are you still the original lineup?

Glaz - Monomania have been together a few years but there have been several lineup changes due to illness, theft, fear, and other things out of our control. This is by far the best lineup I have worked with creatively and attitude wise.

Alex - I can't remember when we formed, we just seemed to have been in this band forever. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Oh, actually now that I think about it there have been a few versions of Monomania before this one. I wasn't a part of the very early incarnations, so I don't know much about that, but I'm pretty sure this is the best lineup so far!

Babble & Beat - What / who helped influence your sound in Monomania’s past?

Glaz - I am personally influenced by alternative music. I am obsessed with analogue recordings because you get the live feel of the instruments and the music feels more real. The records that I really love were recorded using the same methods - which maybe sometimes gives our recordings a retro '80s / '90s feel but we don't mind.

Alex - Erm, I guess the three of us bring our musical loves and hates into the rehearsal room and force them together until something vaguely interesting happens. Especially right now, we tend to kind of inform, influence and challenge each other.

Babble & Beat - Please tell us about your personal John Peel experiences and how they have affected you, what you’ve learned from him, etc.

Glaz - My first memory of John was when we announced my arrival to the Thrush Puppies lineup on bass guitar. I had obviously, being an alternative music lover, been a listener for years. To hear John talk about people on such a down to earth level was something very special and he changed my life musically and personally.

He played the first Monomania demos when we had only been together a few months. That gave me a lift as a songwriter, to finally realize the songs were really good enough to unleash on the general public... and I have never looked back.

We all miss John dearly and it's still hard when you have finished recording a song in the studio that John will never get to hear.

Alex - I remember when his death was announced on Radio 1. I think I swore a lot, just because it seems that people with a real genius streak are few and far between and it was a shame to lose one.

On the odd occasion that I used to hear him talk about us on the air, it made me feel like an important part of music. I felt really proud that a man of his caliber, with his musical knowledge, was interested in us. What ever you think about the man, there's just no getting around the fact that he did a hell of a lot for new bands and music.

Babble & Beat – We noticed there was a break in Monomania news during 2003 – 2005. Was Monomania on hiatus? Were there side projects, like Thai Bride, being worked on?

Glaz - We had a side project called Thai Bride, which was an experiment more than anything. We stripped down to a 3 piece lineup and when we realized it worked we decided to start working on new Monomania material. We are always open to considering expanding the lineup if and when the right person comes along.

Alex - Yes, there was the Thai Bride thing we did... which was basically the same band but just with a change in our mindset and the direction of the music. We liked the songs, but felt that it didn't sound like Monomania. So, we thought we should change the name to suit. That's not to say the two aren't interchangeable though... if we feel like it you might still hear the odd Thai Bride song at our gigs now.

Babble & Beat - You have stated that there is a “newer, darker Monomania.” How did this decision come about? Was it always in you or an influence that came later?

Glaz - Darker material just happened. I think most songwriters write about what they see around them and the deeper lyrics and music followed.

Alex - That was the way the music told us to go. There has always been a distinctly warped edge to Rick's songwriting, even in the more pop stuff. Over the years we've just grown, got better as a band, and found ourselves enjoying writing darker and more mature songs.

Babble & Beat - Is a full-length album in the works?

Glaz - Yes, we are always working towards a debut album. It will 100% happen in 2007.

Alex - Always.

Babble & Beat - Any near future plans to play outside of the UK?

Glaz - A German promoter called us just yesterday... but without sounding cynical, we are not playing over there until we have "product."

Alex - If the offer is there, we will probably make time for it.

Babble & Beat - What other musicians would you love to collaborate with?

Glaz - I would love to work with Alison Shaw from the Cranes. She has a great voice and she is unique.

Alex - Personally, I'd like to play on just one live song with Alice Cooper! As for the band, there's a hell of a lot of musicians and bands I respect out there... but not many that I think we'd find useful, i.e. who would fit in with our sound. Having said that, that doesn't mean I'd be adverse to the idea of collaborating.

Babble & Beat - What 5 bands have you been listening to a lot of lately?

Glaz - The Cranes, Modest Mouse, British Sea Power, Sugarcubes, and Stereolab.

Alex - The Editors record is my latest fad, but I don't tend to hang around with one artist for long. If you came 'round to my house you'd probably hear a lot of Kate Bush, Interpol, Talk Talk, Queen Adreena, The Cranes, dEUS, Liars, Fleetwood Mac... I could go on but I'll spare you the boredom.

Babble & Beat - You guys have great taste (I already knew that)! I haven't heard the Belgium band dEUS yet, nor Liars... will have to change that straight away. Talk Talk is an old favorite of mine.

Juicy Tidbits Section

This is where we ask personal questions for the fans. Yeah, they're often stupid questions. We like reading the answers though!

Babble & Beat - What is your favorite fruit and least favorite fruit?

Glaz - Apples are ace. Least would be fruit cakes (there are a lot where I live).

Babble & Beat - I'm like the only person in the United States that likes fruit cake at the holidays. Oh, wait, you probably mean weirdos. Laughs.

So, what about you, Alex?

Alex - Fruit bat in the wild... good, Fruitbat out of Carter USM... bad.

Babble & Beat - That is way to funny! Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine's Les Carter, aka "Fruitbat?"

What is the best concert you have ever attended (who, where, and when)?

Glaz - There are a few but I don't know the years. The Sugarcubes (Manchester Academy - last UK date ever), Dumb (Roadhouse), The Fall (been to over 100 so hard to say which one stands out), and Stereolab (Hanley Stage).

Babble & Beat - For a moment there I was stunned to hear that you've seen The Fall live over 100 times... but now I'm remembering that you're not only a fan but you've also toured with The Fall. That's just one of several nice bits on the Monomania resume!

Alex - I've wondered that myself many times and have come to the conclusion that there are far too many to mention. I could say any of dEUS's gigs, any of Queen Adreena's, but then a few single gigs stand out too. I thought Tori Amos was great at the Apollo.

I've been lucky because I've seen a hell of a lot of bands in the past. Out of the ones I actually paid to see, I've rarely seen a bad one. There's been a lot of great locals too. For example, Oceansize. I thought they were an amazing band. I would catch them as often as I could when they used to play locally.

Actually, thinking about it, I reckon Alice Cooper at the Apollo on the Brutal Planet tour was the best. I thought the music was going to sound dated but the album translated fantastically live and they'd refreshed all the old songs and brought them up to date. Plus, he brought out the full theatrical live show which was a tour de force in brilliant dark humour.

Babble & Beat - Besides music, please tell us another passion of yours.

Glaz - Playing pool and darts.

Alex - Fast cars. No excuses, no apologies.

Babble & Beat - We know that you fellas are gifted. What we don't know is something you're terrible at. Care to divulge?

Glaz - Golf.

Alex - Cooking. Can't, won't.

In Closing

What a sincere pleasure it has been hearing your music and speaking with you both. We're sorry our schedule clashed with Barry's! We wish you all lots of success and fun in 2007!

Update 3.15.07: "Monomania split in March 2007. Thank you for all your support over the last few years. Glaz and Alex Redhead will continue to make music together..." Cheers, Rick & Alex

Links:
Official site
Official MySpace - music clips!