With his reputation on a high, a tangential interview reveals a lot about the unique worldview and oddball technique of TOM WAITS. On the release of Rain Dogs, Tom talks white socks, neuroscience and his new guitarist, Keith Richards. “We met in a woman’s lingerie shop…”
So they tell me the shows we’re doing in London are sold out already. I can hardly believe that.”
Well, Swordfishtrombones had quite a big impact, Tom. “Mmm, but there’s the other side of that, it doesn’t last too long. Everything is temporary – they pump you up for a little while, dye your hair, see you in a different shape. It goes around for a while and comes back down again. It’s not something you can really build on.”
Are you nervous about coming to London? “I am, I’m scared to death. Jesus, I’ll need a bullet proof vest. I need a new hat, a new suit – I can’t go over there in a raincoat. I’ve told the band to smarten up, too. They’re more attuned to the stuff I’m doing now, but they’re also capable of doing some pre-Swordfish stuff but with a different slant to it.
“So I think it will be OK, I hope it will be OK. I will have to talk to my sax player, Ralph Carney, about his white socks, the white socks and the navy uniform; I’m not sure about that.
“Ralph, I haven’t been able to confront you about this face to face, so I’m using this opportunity to talk to you through the press – we must do something about the white socks.”
The only time I’ve seen Tom Waits live was in London, the Victoria Apollo in 1981. The appearance came just after the release of Heartattack And Vine, notable for its move into bone crushing electric blues. Waits’ ability to rework the sleazy nightclub setting had already been proven by the double live album Nighthawks At The Diner, but in this large auditorium his stand-up bass, drum and piano set-up couldn’t really carry. I left before the end.
“It’s kinda hard to do that on a big stage, the basic economics of touring kept me in tow there.”
Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av The History of Rock.
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Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av The History of Rock.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Music With a Capital 'M'
The prolific HÜSKER DÜ have escaped the strictures of hardcore, to make truly remarkable music. “There’s nothing incredibly new about it,” says BOB MOULD. “We’re just doing what we do the best we can.”
All Pop is Political
“To me, pop and the whole notion of pleasure, sex, entertainment and leisure is political,” says SCRITTI POLITTI’s GREEN GARTSIDE. “So Dead Or Alive with their swirling clothes have as much political resonance as Billy Bragg.” Charming as he is, Gartside’s work doesn’t please everyone.
I Think I Hold My Ground
NME OCT 5 Introducing a product of NYC coffee society… Suzanne Vega.
It's Better To Burn Hard Than To Rot
With his reputation on a high, a tangential interview reveals a lot about the unique worldview and oddball technique of TOM WAITS. On the release of Rain Dogs, Tom talks white socks, neuroscience and his new guitarist, Keith Richards. “We met in a woman’s lingerie shop…”
Business is Booming
In a university dorm room, a rap dynasty is emerging. NME travels to New York to interview wordsmiths RuN DMC, along the way meeting producers Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons – the brains behind Def Jam. “The street wants something specific,” says Simmons.
I Don't Think Keith Was Pleased
MICK JAGGER makes a solo album. In Paris, the singer talks dodging paparazzi, the outrageous young Rolling Stones, and the miners’ strike. He even touches on his solo prospects. “You can’t expect to get No 1s all the time,” he says, “and if you do you’re a cunt.”
I'm Prepared to Go Down With the Ship
On behalf of THE SMITHS, Morrissey meets the fanzine press. He faces questions about love, Band Aid, the Moors Murderers and the band’s own unique position in the world. “There are people I admire,” he says, “but ultimately we are alone.”
Ambition. Greed. Money
Most of these are missing from THE POGUES as they stagger across Europe on tour. “Even if I drink myself to death doing this,” says SHANE MACGOWAN, “I’d still prefer that to the boring, horrible jobs I had to do before this band.”
Pandemonium
MM July 13 Bruce Springsteen seduces the masses.
