Music: Soundbites

Jennifer Rodger
Thursday 02 April 1998 17:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Richard Parfitt, vocals/guitar, 60ft Dolls

Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia. Are the Welsh taking over?

The "Taffia" continues to grow. Talent isn't exclusive to any area, much to the amazement of the London-based media. More power to the people. Land of my fathers, my fathers can keep it. Do you feel at home in this world?

Did you feel at home in America?

Midwest hell. We were playing to bemused cowboys and mutant mods. But we had a laugh, didn't we? One geezer asked "Where you from?" When we said Wales, he replied "Gee, I'm sorry about your princess". Anyway, we liked it so much we stayed there to record our new album, Joya Magica. Rock'n'Roll is American culture; we tend to look down on it. In Britain the celebration of success and the miserable cool of failure makes for healthy friction.

But there must be something Britain is good for?

One of the things we look forward to about touring Britain is the food. Yummy. Cheese & onion pasties and Scotch eggs. Also school uniforms, zebra crossings and the mysterious gluemen.

60ft Dolls are like...?

Our music is the sound of provincial laughter rotted by insomnia. Or a bloody racket, depending on whose side you are on.

So what side are you on?

Paddington train station suits our music - it's as dirty as a glass roof and full of strangers. Jack London, Muhammad Ali, The Rebecca Rioters and free school milk are our influences.

I guess your philosophy on life is similarly eclectic...

You who are not busy being born are busy dying. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch, girl. Peace and goodwill to all men. The portals of success are guarded by failures, embittered and wearing bobble hats.

Dare I ask about politics...

Maggie Thatcher never let you down. Why didn't you vote for Kinnock, you miserable racists? Was it because he was a ginger-haired Taffy yobbo? You got what you deserved.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in