Interview with Steve Hurley by Popmadrid.com (april 2002)
PopMadrid : Minor chords and major themes was praised by everyone and has become a pop classic... How did it affect the way you wrote and recorded "Pacific Ocean Blues"? Did you want to do the second part of minor chords, wanted to break up with that?
Steve Hurley : We tried a different approach on the new record, mostly because of circumstances. On "Minor Chords" the songs were generally worked out with the whole band and played live before we recorded it. On P.O.B most of the song were written and arranged by Dave and I on acoustic guitars and Jon and Fred worked out their parts in the studio. The only real plan for this record was to have more upbeat songs than "Minor Chords." For me many of the songs on "Minor Chords" are about such a unhappy time that it can be difficult for me to listen to.
PM : How about the result, do you think P.O.B. is as good as M.C.M.T. or better? What's different from one to another?
SH : " I think that P.O.B has an non fussed with feel to it that is really nice. I think it has a more upbeat feel. "Minor Chords" is kind of beautifully somber. I can't really say which record is better because they are both good reflections of different time periods.
PM : You have now a very special relationship with the Spanish crowd. What is the importance the Spanish scene has for you in comparison with the states? 50-50? 10-90? 100-0? 0-100? Does this have any influence in the record?
SH : In many ways, the support of Spain is what kept us going. I think having so many people really seem to understand our music is very gratifying. I don't think going to Spain really influenced our sound much. Mostly our Spanish experiences gave us motivation to continue doing what we do.
PM : What are your favorite Spanish dishes? The most horrible trip you had here? Most horrible place you slept in?
SH : I don't eat meat, but I do eat fish, so many of my favorite dishes involve fish. There's a place in Madrid that has the best Truca canapes. We had many wonderful meals in Spain. The first time we played in Burgos, the club fed us a feast of fish and vegetables on skewers and loads of really good red wine. The most horrible thing that happened was getting food poisoning the night before we played at Benecasim. Jon, Fed and I were so sick we could barely play. Half an hour before we played, all three of us were in the Red Cross getting fluids for dehydration. I was very disappointed because I was really wanted to hang out and watch the other bands, but I was far too sick. We played well though. The whole set I was thinking, "please God, don't let me shit my pants in front of 30,000 people.!" The most horrible place I slept was the floor of the nasty French van we rented. Those vans are so uncomfortable! We were all twisted in knots trying to sleep off our jet lag in the van at the beginning of the "Minor Chords" tour.
PM : You are now publishing with a Spanish label, do you think this will help the sales of your records?
SH : I don't know how the new label will affect our sales. On one hand, Bittersweet doesn't have the money and marketing muscle of our old label (Universal), but on the other hand, Bittersweet understands the kind of music we make and the market for it really well. Already it is way more FUN to be on Bittersweet. We shall see about sales.
PM : You must be aware of the impact the cover you did of Spanish pop classic "la chica de ayer" had, especially after it was included in a TV add. Whose idea was it to do it? Who translated the lyrics? What do you think of the song and the lyrics? Do you know any other song from "Nacha Pop"? Any plans to do more covers?
SH : David from Bittersweet turned us on the Nacha Pop. Covering that song was his idea. We liked the song and enjoyed recording it, but we had no idea how much that song means to many people. Bob from the Pyramidiacs translated the lyrics, but some of them were hard to sing, so Dave, Fred and I sat in our hotel and re-wrote them just before going to record the song. I don't know any other Nacha Pop songs, but I would love to hear them. We are really hoping that Antonio Vega will turn up at one of our shows and sing it with us. We are planning some new covers for this new tour, but I can't tell you any more than that. It's a surprise. You'll have to come to the shows!
PM : Is power-pop necessarily a music for minorities? Why do you think people do not listen to Fountains of Wayne, Matthew Sweet, Gigolo Aunts or Bronco Bullfrog. instead of Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera?
SH : We always hoped to have a large audience. Most bands do. Perhaps our music is a little too complicated or intelligent for a mass audience. Timing is a big part of it. Matthew Sweet used to sell a lot of records in America. Why did Oasis get so big? Their music is very Beatle influence and retro. I don't know the answer. Sometimes I think it's just luck.
PM : What do you think of the Strokes? Do they deserve the success they are having? Is their success based upon promotion or music?
SH : There's so much hype surrounding the Strokes, but I still think they are a good band. Are they best band going out there right now? I don't think so, but I've seen them live and I liked them. There's a new generation of kids who don't really know the bands who influenced the Strokes (the Stooges, Television), so they sound fresh and exciting. I think they are pretty exciting, but they are over-hyped. It will be interesting to see what they do next.
PM : Our favorite Gigolo Aunts songs are "Where I find my heaven" and "The big lie". Is there another song we will like as much of those?
SH : Have you heard the new album? I think Mr. Tomorrow is a kind of "classic Gigolo Aunts tune" like "Heaven" was. "Let Go" rocks as hard as the "Big Lie," and has a guitar freak out at the end. I think you like many of the songs on the new album.
PM : What Spanish bands have you seen life or heard and liked in your last tours? What American bands would you recommend to your Spanish fans?
SH : I like Jet Lag and Pili Perkins (are they still around?) Australian Blond are good. I enjoyed Sexy Sadie when we played with them. As far as American bands are concerned, I really like a band from San Francisco called Persephone's Bees. I think they have a web site. Jack Drag is always one of my favorites. I also like Beechwood Sparks. The Shins are a nice band from New Mexico. I've been playing bass for Anna Waronker (formerly of That Dog). She has a solo album coming out that is quite tasty.
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