The Game

We did a “podcast” for the Guardian newspaper website yesterday (to air soon).. we used to dread doing “yet another” interview, the type where it’s all about plugging the record….

It’s OK the first few times – you’re all fired up and enthusiastic with loads to talk about.. but as time and interviews go by it all starts to get a bit stale and it’s not the journos fault – he’s just a man with a job to do, just as we’re the ones with the records to publicise and everyone just gets on with the game, playing by the rules but always trying to bring that same initial fresh enthusiasm and positivity despite being asked the same questions and having to give the same answers over and over again.

We’ve been in the game for thirty years now and we’ve sure as hell seen a lot of journos come and go, some are cool, some are not so cool and some know nothing about you, some know more about you than you knw yourself, but we’re all there to get on with the game.

But something changed for us over the last few months, because we started to comprehend that we could change the rules of the game.

Now maybe it’s because we are the record company this time around, maybe its because we do not dance for the man any longer, or maybe we got older and wiser…. or maybe, just maybe, we finally realised that we could do this and make the game seem like fun.

So when Mick and I sat in the bar after another hours talk last night, we both acknowledged that things are changing and we’re starting to really enjoy this game we have to play, it’s becoming a pleasure instead of a chore and we’re looking forward to each interview.

There is of course, as I’ve said before, that part where we have no illusions about how lucky we are to be here again, in a position where people, radio, journos seek us out and want to talk to us, but the real revelation is that we can now talk about whatever we want and I hope that is much more interesting to listeners because what you are hearing, all that joy and enthusiasm, is for real…and if we just happen to mention the record in passing every once in a while.. well that’s cool too. You see maybe if we can talk about anything, maybe people will figure here are interesting guys with something to say, and that might mean the record’s worth listening too as well……

So now we’re off before the tape op has even got the levels up and started recording, because after all these years there is still so much to talk about, especially if we start on one of our favourite  subjects  …….television.   And this weeks big topic is something Mick’s been raving about for ages, but that I just discovered a few weeks ago and as far as we’re concerned it’s the best series since the Sopranos…… I’m talking about, of course………“The Wire”.

Now OK all you lot in the USA are going that is so old news Tj – we’re airing season five now, but see, it was only on an obscure channel here (FX?? who?) so I just went out and got seasons 1,2 and 3 on DVD and it’s SO great.

And I know nothing I’m saying here hasn’t been already said, but this amazing, character lead story – and there are truly some GREAT characters here – Omar, Stringer and  McNulty to name but a few – has me enthralled, touched, angered, stunned and totally, totally hooked and best of all …thinking.  It’s the best book I ever watched and in a world where my TV beams me 500 channels of worthless shit on a daily basis, there is suddenly a reason to believe again.  So thank you HBO.

So here’s to everyone playing the game…..which ever one it may be.

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