Interview with Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen

I’m fully aware that celebrities and musicians put their pants on one leg at time just like I do. But when an opportunity to interview someone whose discography has influenced a significant number of the bands in the following generations, you just can’t help feeling like a school girl. Ian McCulloch, frontman of the legendary Echo & the Bunnymen, is one such person, and by fortune’s hand, I recently had the opportunity to interview the iconic vocalist.

Kip Gasparick: For those unfamiliar with the band’s discography, what do you consider to be the three best albums the band has recorded?

Ian McCulloch: That’s a tough one! To introduce the band to unfamiliar ears I’d try and pick three albums which I consider best represent the broader aspects of the Bunnymen’s songwriting styles and history. I’d choose Crocodiles, Ocean Rain, What Are You Going To Do With Your Life?, and Heaven Up Here, oops, was that four?

KG: What three albums comprise the majority of Echo’s DNA (i.e. the band would not exist if these albums were not recorded)?

IM: Speaking on behalf of Will, Les, Pete & myself I’d say The Velvet Underground & Nico, The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust, and The Doors.

KG: Thirty years of making music… does it get any easier? Any words of wisdom to pass on to those just starting their music careers?

IM: I think it gets easier to resist writing for writing’s sake and therefore feels completely natural and unforced. From day one we wrote completely instinctively and NEVER formulaically, approaching each new song as an artistic step forward. Obviously we knew we had, which Crocodiles, our debut album, created our own overall sound & style, but we’ve always tried to stretch the parameters of our song writing. So, yes by not forcing them the songs seem to come to you spontaneously.

KG: How has the songwriting process changed over the years?

IM: Most of the first five albums were written around an initial chord sequence or riff with Pete, Les, Will & me playing it over, interacting with each other’s sense of Bunnymen atmospherics. Then I’d put a melody on top and then I’d finalize lyrics later. These days I quite often come up with the vocal melody first.

KG: Is there anything our readers should know about your new album, The Fountain, other than you feel it’s the best thing you’ve done since Ocean Rain?

IM: The Fountain was mostly recorded in Liverpool Parr Street Recording Studios and partly in New York Archangel studios. Readers should know above all, to become listeners of The Fountain!

KG: Speaking of Ocean Rain, do you feel the warm response the symphony shows received brought the swagger back to the band? Your spite, if you will?

IM: One of the reasons I suggested doing the Ocean Rain shows was to raise the bar and blow not only the minds of the audiences but our own. It succeeded big time. Everything is back in its rightful place… the swagger, the mystique, the untouchability, and yes… the spite.

KG: I was incredibly disappointed to see the cancellation of your US tour. Has the IRS responded to any of your inquiries about their rejection of your Central Withholding Agreement? And if so, will the tour be rescheduled for 2010?

IM: We were disappointed too. The IRS changed their rules after we’d arranged the tour so we couldn’t have anticipated their rejection. We are currently rescheduling for April 2010.

KG: I was pleased to see that you’re still friends with Courtney Love. Have there been any collaboration discussions over the years?

IM: It was really nice to see her at All Points West recently but the weather made it difficult to hang out with Courtney. We’ve never collaborated in all these years surprisingly. Unless you count Courtney getting up on stage with us at the Viper Rooms in ’94—she played guitar on “Do It Clean.”

KG: I stumbled upon a Spanish interview where you said, “I hope those that play with Guitar Hero get electrocuted.” What was said in conjunction with this statement? I’ve always thought people had positive reactions to the game because it was introducing kids to a wider variety of music than other outlets currently are.

IM: I’d place guitar hero alongside Pop Idol & X-Factor talent shows, so far from the real thing that it only serves as a dilution of any original creativity. These things are killing dreams and self-expression.

KG: Other than making music, what are you passionate about?

IM: My family & friends. Expressing myself with intelligence & humour. Cryptic word puzzles. And Liverpool Football Club.

KG: Tell us something about yourself or the band we wouldn’t likely find on Wikipedia.

IM: I wouldn’t know what they say on Wikipedia as I’ve never owned a computer. I’ve got hazel eyes though. And I’m 6’1″.

[Interview by guest contributor Kip Gasparick.]

Purchase | Official | Twitter | MySpace | Wikipedia

Also: Ian McCulloch (acoustic solo set) @ Webster Hall