INTERVIEW WITH KIERAN MAHON (and DIDZ HAMMOND)

Foxholski had been trying to arrange a tctc interview for their latest fanzine a few weeks prior to the rescheduled Junction gig. But when I was informed on the day that it was no longer a possibility due to unexpected 'Swedish' interviews... we just thought 'well that's that buggered then.’. However, backstage we gave question sheets to a very personable Dan Fisher who said he would send them on. (He now has: his answers are on site.) Later I discussed with Kieran Mahon our intended campaign to 'help protect him from the others' in addition to that bar-steward interview cancellation. And bless his beard: he agreed to do the interview there and then. First he had to rescue the questionnaires from out of Dan's pocket - who had by now retired after a few vodkas back to their tour bus...After what seemed to be a bit of a struggle he eventually got one of the scripts back...

A muchly charming Kieran along with a rather LOUD Didz Hammond were sweet enough to then do the first sheet of questions. They appear below. We also had an interesting discussion about the pro-activity of many of their fan base, his vulnerability to being picked on, 'back to the future', dEUS, my voice, Stephen and Elizabeth Fry(don't ask...), our band, the Reading Festival, how on earth we were getting home, who went to University and the making of 'one's porn names'. Which was nice... As it was approaching 3.00am and it appeared that their tour bus was being held up...Kieran suggested he send part two to me instead..(see below). He also promised that he would take us out to dinner if we continue the campaign 'for his protection'...but conveniently he now says he can not remember this ;) But anyway they were all ‘wicked' for giving their time anyway, so erm thanks and stuff...P/s: Although not the original intention: as a result of them helping us to amass some new material at the Cambridge gig: this fanzine became the 'Coopers Only' one it now is...Ramble Ramble

Exclusive:

Question time: with Mr.Mahon (together with a little help

from Mr.Hammond): post-gig Cambridge Junction, 5/6/02..

foxholski: What has been on your stereo on the tour-bus in recent weeks?

Kieran: "Mansun, Beta Band, Nirvana,Do Make Say Think..."

foxholski: Are you all ok? Have you had anymore accidents lately? You seem to get bruised a lot....

Kieran: "Didz got punched in Aberdeen...fact."

foxholski: Who will you be watching at the Reading fest this year?

Kieran: "Our parents and my sister....maybe Muse"

foxholski: Tell us about your nearest Spinal Tap-esque experience while on the road?

Kieran: "We almost met David Hasselhoff at a party.."

foxholski: What is more rewarding: writing, performing or drinking?

Didz: "Not drinking"

foxholski: How many crates of beer would you charge us to appear on our demo?

Didz: "Beer is for the cretins ....so about 250."

foxholski: You have said Norwich has always given you a good welcome when you play there but what do you really think of Alan Partridgeville?

Didz: "Vil(l)e; but unintentionally great...." (Erm...)

foxholski: Like many small places the disaffection seems to produce a rather incestuous scene of many underground bands: is that something youve experienced with Reading/Wokingham?

Kieran: "Yes, once Ben was caught sleeping with his brother..(but)..Agree"

foxholski: We have heard vocals from Tom, Ben, Dan and Didz will we ever hear the vocal delights of Kieran and Jon?

Kieran: "Maybe...we'll have to see on the next album....Jon is Grade 6 singing.."

foxholski: Have you written much stuff on tour? And to what extent might the new lyrics reflect some of your experience of what must have been the total mindfuck of the last few months?

Kieran: "Probably but nothing's certain yet. Didz may write about his playstation experience..."

foxholski: ..and on a similar note: youve come such a long way in just three years: how do you keep a reality check :like when you turn on the TV/radio or open the NME and there you are?

Kieran: "We basically look at photos of ourselves and see how ugly we are. Also we listen to dEUS and realise how far we have to go..."

foxholski: Is there a fantasy song that you wish you could go back in time and pretend you wrote like in the school dance scene in Back to the Future?

Kieran: "The theme of Back to the Future and Star Wars."

foxholski: A not *particularly* serious question now: What are your respective Porn Names? Our readers really need to know...

Kieran: "Squeek Hammond....no that's not right..."

foxholski: Are you keen to tour the States soon?

Kieran: "If the time's right.."

foxholski: Your fanatical fans - do you feel some of the extreme lengths they go to are a sign of dedication to a c(l)ause they dig or more a sign that they must be three raisons short of a fruitcake?

Kieran "I think they're dedicated...but probably they have nothing better to do...joke. Our fans are the best...fact."

Rah Update! 7/7/02 Yesterday evening at Mardi Gras Kieran came up to us and apologised for not sending on the interview part. He promised he would get round to it this time and took my email/mobile number as apparently this will be "easier..." The foxholski zine-team looks forward to some response...

Update:12/07/02: Kieran emailed his answers to me yesterday. Bless him. He says "Hello Denice. Sorry it took so long but as promised please find below the rest of the unfinished interview. I hope it satisfies your needs...." Ummm...so.. anyway, here is the rest of the interview for your delectation..>>>>

INTERVIEW WITH KIERAN MAHON continued...

foxholski: You seemed to have played gigs for the past few months without much of a comprehensive break: what have been your coping strategies for being away from home?

Kieran: Mainly listening to recordings of my family talking and looking at pictures of my bedroom. I find music is a great comforter, so its just a question of bringing the right cds really. Books are good too.

foxholski: In some ways it must be a bit of a pressure to be built up by the music press as they usually end up wanting to knock bands down again sooner or later. Yet you seem to be doing the wise rationale thing: extensive touring:getting out there and just doing your thing. To what extent does that help to distance yourselves from the hype?

Kieran: It helps a lot. Playing to people who like our music, over and over again will eventually bore them into buying records. We always wanted a strong fan base (some may say we got more than we bargained for) which would support us regardless of what the journalists write. When your fans are as committed as ours you cant lose. But youve got to work for them though and thats why we try to do as many gigs as possible and keep the mailings personal/exciting etc.

foxholski: Have you ever thrown anything from a hotel window?

Kieran: I think I threw a shrew.

foxholski: What was the last book you read? Favourite author?

Kieran: Last book was End of the Affair by Graham Greene. One of my favourite authors is Hemmingway for his sparse and halting literary style.

foxholski: A couple of slightly leftfield questions now: What is tastier a flake or a mars bar?

Kieran: Flake.

..And if you were a vegetable which vegetable would you be?

Kieran: Lettuce.

foxholski: Favourite female musicians and why?

Kieran: Bjork,Joni Mitchell, PJ Harvey, Madonna.

foxholski: What are your feelings about political bands/songs... can music and politics be a positive mix or are they oil and water?

Kieran: Good question. I definitely think there can be a positive mix but its got to be done in the right way. Too many bands try a watered down political message but youve got to have conviction in what you say and do it constructively. Its too easy to write half heartedly; youve got to have the thought and experience behind it before writing songs around politics. Thats why were not in a rush to start writing songs about politics as we recognise the fact that weve still got a lot too learn before telling other people about it.

foxholski: If you had to insure a part of your body what part would it be and why?

Kieran: My fingers because Im always hurting them and you need them for a lot of things like opening cd cases.

foxholski: What are your memories of music lessons at school?

The best memory was having wrestling fights in a small practice room every Monday. Singing covers of Chris De Burgh was also fun.

foxholski: Is Morning Records going to be signing up anyone else soon?

Kieran: Not soon but hopefully sometime in the not so distant future. Its just one dream of many to fulfil.

foxholski: Where will you be watching Fridays game?(He was originally given this question on June 5th...)

Kieran: This all seems irrelevant now but I watched it in bed.

foxholski: Do you ever check out the message board on your official site? How about other fan sites/Bens Dead Journal?

Kieran: We regularly check the official one. Although I get scared reading some of the comments but ultimately its all very entertaining. As for the unofficial ones Im not so good at checking up on them. There seems to be a lot of them which is a very healthy sign for us, but may be not so good for the official website which is clearly not catering for any of our fans needs.

foxholski: Continuing the *mass-debate* on the official board..What are your favourite flavoured jams? ...

Kieran: Mine is apricot, preferably bon mamam.

foxholski: Are you tired? Will you need a long rest after the festivals? Shall we go now?

Yes. Im looking forward to the annual band walking trip...That will be all the break I need.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foxholski say: "Kieran Mahon is great etc etc. In fact we will invent the new word Mahontastic in honour of this greatness" etc etc.

QUESTIONTIME WITH DAN FISHER