Monday,
June 2, 2003 15:35 BST
Mark Gardener interview |
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Gardener |
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Ride
were one of the definite bands of the early 90s. A decade on from
all that shoe-gazing, frontman Mark Gardener is back and touring with
Goldrush. BBC Southampton's Stephen Stafford had a chat to Mark about
the indie days. |
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When
you look back at the Ride years, what sort of emotions go through
your head?
It was a bit intense. I don't think any of us realised when we were
making a racket with guitars in an arts school, that that sort of
thing would happen. Certainly that early bit was phenomenal, it felt
like you could do no wrong, more people were coming to the shows and
everything was working really well. It was great to be around at that
time with people like The Happy Mondays.
Do you think that was a unique period in music history?
I do, because I've just been in the US on an acoustic tour and I've
been blown away by how they've locked on to that era in music - as
the last time of interesting English bands. People were actually trying
to do something different and it made me realise the whole grunge
thing grew out of it and then this terrible thing called Britpop.
I feel really good about that - the whole Manchester thing, the rise
of the 'Mondays, Stone Roses - they were pushing things in an interesting
direction with guitars and funky beats. And then the shoe-gazing movement!
For me, the fact that people are still raving about My Bloody Valentine
and Ride shows it was a really seminal time.
Did you see yourselves as pioneers?
Britpop was a lot more straightforward. I think in a way were were
trying to push that experimental sonic thing and I think some of it
worked really well - some of it didn't, but it still sounds really
interesting now. We definitely did something that still makes me feel
good - it was a pretty bonkers time.
What happened to you post-Ride?
I came out of Ride and did a few tracks with Paul Oakenfold, one track
as The Man with No Name - I was trying to look at other bands but
it didn't really happen and I also did Magdalene Sky, and the Animal
House project - experimental thing with guitars and beats. Then I
got right away, living in a barn in France like a hermit. And I came
back from that and thought now was the time to launch my career and
take control of my destiny - to come full circle and do my Neil Young
thing.
Did Ride become a weight around your neck?
We didn't get much time away from it so obviously there was a life
outside which none of us were living. It was pretty intense when you
were in the middle of it, you can't see the wood from the trees. I
think we could have done ourselves some favours by having a break
and we were a bit burnt out and myself and Andy had different ideas
about where we wanted to take this thing. It was understandable -
we'd made some great records together but we'd hit a point were the
chemistry there had been between us wasn't there any more - so it
was the right time to disband and leave with integrity.
Do you still keep in touch with the other members of Ride?
Absolutely - I played with Andy and Loz in Oxford - Ride's always
ongoing - it'll never go away.
Tell us about the collaboration with Goldrush
I've known of Goldrush doing Trailerpark and heard bits and pieces,
and they were obviously into the Ride thing. Robin from the group
called and said if you need a 'Crazy Horse' or band to back you. I
thought 'that's a good idea', we rehearsed together and it worked
really well. It combines well for a show - they do a set, I do a few
things, and then we do a few things together. I heard them doing a
version of Dreams Burn Down which I thought was great. We've just
recorded a live EP which'll be spread about when we're on the road.
They're great players.
How was your American tour?
That was me putting myself through the ultimate test to see if the
new stuff stands up and I was amazed at the response and how the whole
movement has just grown - I had a great time.
What memories do you have of playing in the Joiners in Southampton?
With Ride it was always a madhouse, packed out with lots of people
on on the stage. I just remember lots of blue! It's always a great
gig for me down there. In this day and age with the download scenario,
it's so vital there are venues like that about. You can download music
but you'll never download the experience of seeing a live show. The
heart is in the right place there, you feel that when you are there.
How would you survive in the Big Brother House?
I'd be out first night! I can't imagine putting myself in that scenario.
Once it was interesting - now that whole cult of celebrity is just
nonsense - I can't think of anything worse - I don't think I'll be
applying!
Mark
Gardener and Goldrush
The
Joiners
9th June 2003
Box Office 023 8022 5612
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BBC Southampton Website
Broadcasting House,
Havelock Road,
Southampton
SO14 7PU
(+44) 023 80 374370/1/2
southampton@bbc.co.uk
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