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By Michael Lara
Tokyo Bureau Chief
Tokyo, Japan
“Never been so far away. I don’t think I want to stay in this room anymore.” RIDE, a band that many missed as part of the early Britpop movement, might best explain Alan McGee and his endless vision. His monumental influence materialized into his CREATION RECORDS in 1983 that also became the chief platform for this most infectious music movement.
Two decades later, Alan’s contributions to the musical landscape with bands like RIDE, HOUSE OF LOVE, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, OASIS, THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, PRIMAL SCREAM, TEENAGE FANCLUB, SUPER FURRY ANIMALS and others helped shape the whole Britpop movement.
Leaving an indelible mark in the industry worldwide, especially so in Japan with Britpop heavy booked at last summer’s FUJI ROCK and SUMMER SONIC festivals, his competitive creativity is duly showcased in the thoroughly revealing Danny O’Connor documentary UPSIDE DOWN: THE CREATION RECORDS STORY (2010).
Alan McGee and manager Kerstin Sekimoto
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With Alan on deck and PRIMAL SCREAM performing their legendary Screamadelica (1991) in Japan recently, I was able to catch-up with this rock n’ roll legend thanks to his Japan tour manager and friend, Kerstin Sekimoto.
THIRSTY: So Alan, lots of unhealthy people and realities out there with what recently happened in Norway and elsewhere. In your experiences, what keeps you and has kept you healthy?
Alan McGee: I retreated to Wales from the city and only enter the cities when I have something specific to do like a talk or a deejay set. I live in the middle of nowhere in Wales so I have no neighbors. I only deal with people when I have to go and do a gig.
THIRSTY: TALK TALK and their 1984 track ”It’s My Life” is something that still impressively holds resonance and traction 25-plus years on. That being said, what makes you not forget? And what has made you remember most?
Alan McGee: I remember my childhood in Glasgow and was determined not to be my dad, who by the way is a great guy, but I didn't want to be him. I never wanted a real job and have avoided doing that since I was 22 and I am now 50, so it’s good work I would say.
THIRSTY: PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED played SUMMER SONIC 2011 and “Rise” was one of their later hits of course. What makes the road rise with you?
Alan McGee: I like positive people and try and stay around that. Other than that, I live in a world of books and films of Crowley, Peter J. Carroll, Austin Osman Spare and Kenneth Anger.
THIRSTY: Now someone who knows very well about the ebbs and flows of life and humanity is Sir David Lean. I somehow almost feel you are a T.E. Lawrence of sorts in all of your endeavors. Am I off the mark?
Alan McGee and DJ Hidetsugu Ito of Cookie Scene
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Alan McGee: I am probably more Crowley than T.E. Lawrence to be honest.
THIRSTY: If you were to have someone guide you, dead or alive, in Japan, who would it be and why Alan?
Alan McGee: Malcolm McLaren… He was my initial inspiration to do music.
THIRSTY: Furthermore for Japan, what would you like to bring to it to contribute to its growth from your experiences past to 2011 onward?
Alan McGee: I love Japan. I love the people. I just hope you guys recover from the earthquake. It was heartbreaking to watch.
THIRSTY: What gets you down and up each day and why and how so? Furthermore, what is the penultimate mark of achievement for you?
Alan McGee: My daughter is the shining light of my life. As everything I am, she has in Spades. She is 10 and at a great point in life. What she wants to do in life, I am cool with as long as she is happy.
THIRSTY: Bringing it back to the first band that I ever saw live back in 1985, THE CARS, what is just what you needed and why?
Alan McGee: I liked that song. I needed a break and to get out of Glasgow. I was lucky. I managed it. I probably should have ended up a taxi driver being twenty stone and having three kids. Instead, I went to London and made it in music and now live in a mansion in Wales with my family. It's great.
Some weeks later, Alan returned to Japan and was an inaugural DJ at the showcase entitled Creation Night that feature him as host to a gathering tribe of emerging and established Japanese deejays and bands, with a plan for it to become a regular happening in Tokyo throughout the year.
Organized by Cookie Scene’s DJ Hidetsugu Ito, UNIT was selected as the Tokyo venue for its launch with a line-up that included himself as well as natives SOKABE KEIICHI BAND, CAUCUS, TWEE GRRRLS CLUB, SHE TALKS SILENCE and Alan as the closer.
In speaking with Alan backstage throughout the event, in the cozy underground confines of UNIT, he was noticeably moved by the depth of passion and talent present and believed that this first round definitely deserved many more.
Links:
UPSIDE DOWN: THE CREATION RECORDS STORY (2010)
www.upsidedownthemovie.com/
www.udcrs.net/
ALAN McGEE (DJ set)
www.guardian.co.uk/profile/alanmcgee
www.rhino.com/alan-mcgee-ride
SOKABE KEIICHI BAND (Live set)
www.sokabekeiichi.com
www.rose-records.jp
DJ HIDETSUGU ITO/ COOKIE SCENE (DJ set)
www.cookiescene.jp/
CAUCUS (Live set)
www.caucus.jp/
www.myspace.com/caucus
TWEE GRRRLS CLUB (DJ set)
www.tweegrrrlsclub.com/index.html
www.myspace.com/tweegrrrlsclub
SHE TALKS SILENCE (Live set)
shetalkssilence-diary.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/shetalkssilence
UNIT
www.unit-tokyo.com/
