not a member? click here to sign up

His Time Is Now

As The Charlatans prepare to perform their landmark Tellin’ Stories album at Castlepalooza, Tim Burgess talks about the record’s troubled origins and his foray into breakfast cereals.

Paul Nolan, 04 Sep 2012

On his way to Ireland to perform at Castlepalooza with The Charlatans, who are set to play their acclaimed 1997 album Tellin’ Stories in its entirety, Tim Burgess is enthusiastic about the record’s merits 15 years after its release.

“We’ve done it four times,” he explains. “It’s gone really well, it’s great to hear all those songs in that order. People have so many attachments to those individual songs as well that the response has been superb.”

In the middle of recording the album in 1996, The Charlatans’ keyboard player, Rob Collins, passed away in a car accident. Does that event make it a bittersweet record to revisit?

“We did it justice at the time, but I feel we’re playing it better now,” replies Tim. “I suppose after Rob passed away, a few things came into play. One was that I took a call from Jeff Barrett from Heavenly, saying that we had to support Oasis at Knebworth. Martin Duffy was offered to us as a keyboard-player by Bobby Gillespie and Primal Scream, and we were really appreciative of that. So we played Knebworth, and did the V Festival, and we asked Martin if he’d help us finish the album. After that, everyone let us have him on a sort of permanent loan.”

The post-Britpop years found Tim decamping to LA, and getting into transcendental meditation, the technique espoused by cult film director David Lynch. Has he met Lynch at any point?

“No I haven’t, but I’ve had some really nice letters from him,” responds Tim. “I’m doing a thing at the weekend and all the money’s going to the David Lynch Foundation. I have his album, Crazy Clown Time. I’ve heard a few tracks, I’ve not played it all the way through yet, but I do love it. He’s a great artist on every level so I admire him.”

Burgess’ life in LA also found him moving in unusual musical circles. At one point he struck up a friendship with Marilyn Manson bassist Twiggy Ramirez, a decidedly curious meeting of minds.

“He was around for a lot of the recording of the Wonderland album,” recalls Burgess. “But he’s a Britpop fan deep down – so is Joaquin Phoenix who I’ve also done some stuff with. Britpop has travelled far.”



Page 1/3     <Previous 1 2 3 Next> 



Related Content

Latest Articles by Paul Nolan

Hot Press meets British Sea Power

British Sea Power are back with a joyously eccentric new record and a polar bear that, ceiling permitting, will be coming to a venue near you soon...


2013-05-17

Will.I.Am: Willpower

Underwhelming effort from Superstar producer...


2013-05-07

Ghostface Killah: Twelve Reasons To Die

Excellent outing for Wu-Tang Clan member...


2013-05-01

!!!: Thr!!!er

Electrifying dance-punk action...


2013-04-29

Wavves: Afraid Of Heights

Wailing punk from San Diego trio...


2013-04-23

Contact Us

Hot Press,
13 Trinity Street,
Dublin 2.
Rep. Of Ireland
Tel: +353 (1) 241 1500

Email:info@hotpress.ie

Click here for more contact information.

Click here to find out more about Hot Press

Hot Press always welcomes feed back so if you've got something to tell us click here.

Advertise With Us

For more detail on how to advertise with Hot Press click here or call us on +353 (1) 241 1540