Think of music.
What does it mean for you in your life?
Since I was about 12, I don't think there's a day gone by that I haven't listened to music. Can't imagine my life without it. It makes me happy, it makes me sad, it chills me out and it makes me want to leap up and down shouting.
Nothing else in my life comes close, with the possible exception of my wife.
Which songs do have a special power over you? And why?
I wouldn't say anything has a power over me. Sure, I have favourite songs, or tracks that can instantly take me back to a particular place or time, but power? No.
What is your favourite type of music?
Up until about 20 years ago, I had a big, but narrow record collection, which could basically be defined as 'rock and pop of the last 40 years'.
Then I had a revelaton.
Mojo magazine published an article 'What if you lost your record collection?'. Basically the idea was that everything had been lost/stolen/destroyed, and the insurance company had only paid out £1,000 to replace it. They came up with a complete 'starter kit' for just about every genre. Stuff I'd never thought about. Jazz. Blues. Reggae. Rap...
That became my bible, and I bought tons of new stuff. These days, I listen to all sorts, and I'm much more open to trying new stuff.
Favourite though. Classic rock, probably.
Why does it work for you?
There's nothing quite like a solid backbeat, driving bassline and a great riff.
What music would you erase from the books of history?
As far as I'm concerned, if somebody gets some enjoyment out of a song, then it's good music, even if I don't like it.
But I hate Coldplay.
And what exactly does it do to you that you have no choice but hate it?
It's tedious, formulaic pap.
When you think of musicians what are the archetypes which appear in front of your inner eye?
Which of those do you love?
The cliches, I guess. The drummer behind the monster kit. The girl with the low slung bass. (Is there anyhing cooler than a girl playing bass? A girl on a fast motorcycle comes close, but female bass players are the cat's pyjamas.) The hunched guitarist exploring the rareified atmosphere up beyond the 20th fret. And the lead singer, belting out a line like his life depends on it.
Which do you hate?
I'm tempted to say boybands and girlbands, who don't write the songs, don't play the instruments, and spend more time on hair and dance routines than musicianship. But then you could probably level that at most Motown artists, and I think they were pretty cool, so I'll pass on that one.
Which music/ musician do you love despite you having the sneaking suspicion that you really shouldn't?
Nobody. If I like something, I like it no matter what anyone else thinks. For a while, about 10 years back, Abba and the Carpenters were cool. I liked them and so did everyone else. But I'd liked them before that, and still do.
Basically, I'm right all the time, and occasionally, popular culture falls in line with me.
)
What does it mean for you in your life?
Since I was about 12, I don't think there's a day gone by that I haven't listened to music. Can't imagine my life without it. It makes me happy, it makes me sad, it chills me out and it makes me want to leap up and down shouting.
Nothing else in my life comes close, with the possible exception of my wife.
Which songs do have a special power over you? And why?
I wouldn't say anything has a power over me. Sure, I have favourite songs, or tracks that can instantly take me back to a particular place or time, but power? No.
What is your favourite type of music?
Up until about 20 years ago, I had a big, but narrow record collection, which could basically be defined as 'rock and pop of the last 40 years'.
Then I had a revelaton.
Mojo magazine published an article 'What if you lost your record collection?'. Basically the idea was that everything had been lost/stolen/destroyed, and the insurance company had only paid out £1,000 to replace it. They came up with a complete 'starter kit' for just about every genre. Stuff I'd never thought about. Jazz. Blues. Reggae. Rap...
That became my bible, and I bought tons of new stuff. These days, I listen to all sorts, and I'm much more open to trying new stuff.
Favourite though. Classic rock, probably.
Why does it work for you?
There's nothing quite like a solid backbeat, driving bassline and a great riff.
What music would you erase from the books of history?
As far as I'm concerned, if somebody gets some enjoyment out of a song, then it's good music, even if I don't like it.
But I hate Coldplay.
And what exactly does it do to you that you have no choice but hate it?
It's tedious, formulaic pap.
When you think of musicians what are the archetypes which appear in front of your inner eye?
Which of those do you love?
The cliches, I guess. The drummer behind the monster kit. The girl with the low slung bass. (Is there anyhing cooler than a girl playing bass? A girl on a fast motorcycle comes close, but female bass players are the cat's pyjamas.) The hunched guitarist exploring the rareified atmosphere up beyond the 20th fret. And the lead singer, belting out a line like his life depends on it.
Which do you hate?
I'm tempted to say boybands and girlbands, who don't write the songs, don't play the instruments, and spend more time on hair and dance routines than musicianship. But then you could probably level that at most Motown artists, and I think they were pretty cool, so I'll pass on that one.
Which music/ musician do you love despite you having the sneaking suspicion that you really shouldn't?
Nobody. If I like something, I like it no matter what anyone else thinks. For a while, about 10 years back, Abba and the Carpenters were cool. I liked them and so did everyone else. But I'd liked them before that, and still do.
Basically, I'm right all the time, and occasionally, popular culture falls in line with me.
) 
