Hey Mike, comedian, Naboo The Enigma acting on The Mighty Boosh TV show and now a DJ. Which out of the three world’s do you enjoy the most?
“I love them all, they are all so different, I feel like that man who is detective by day and by night a saxophone player.”
I remember your brother Noel, who gave you a big break on the show once telling Jonathan Ross that the weird name for The Mighty Boosh came about from a friend of your’s who described your hair style years ago as a “mighty bush” – true?
“Yeah its true , I used to have a best friend who used to call my very big hair, THE MIGHTY BOOSH, well that’s what it sounded like coz of his accent. My hair was VERY big and curly.”
So you have just been on a mammoth five month tour with the show, your DJ sets are infamous for, basically, mashing it up… Electro, Indie and randomness. What sort of music did you listen to growing up?
“My brother and I were brought up on everything from New York Dolls to The Stones, and obscure bands like Steeleye Dan and Fairport Convention. I remember as a child waking up every Sunday morning to either Simon and Garfunkle – The Best Of, or Neil Young – Harvest. My folks would play Rolling Stones all the time, and that’s why they named me Michael after Mick Jagger.”
What are your current favourite playing out tunes you’re playing out on the dancefloor at the moment?
“I love playing ‘Blind’ by Hercules and ‘Love Affair’. Its great when you can spin old ones too, I did a gig at Fabric and I played Chuck Berry and it went down a storm. People always come up after and say that they love not knowing what I’m gonna play next, it’s easy for DJs to play exactly the same set every week, I much prefer being spontaneous and reading the crowd.”
What was the highlight of the tour?
“The whole thing is a highlight when you’re on tour, every part of it is different, it’s strange living in hotels – I like my own space and surroundings so it’s weird when you are checking into new places, every few days. it was great to get to see different towns, but a lot of them are strange.”
Where did those dancing skills come from?
“I just do it, I never know where it comes from, I’ve always and still believe that I’m not very good at dancing, so it amazes me when people say that I can.”
So we come back to your house after a night at a club, what ‘Back To Mine’ albums will you be playing…?
“All sorts, who knows, there are no rules with music especially when you get home after a massive night, sometimes that’s where the night begins…”
Have you any new projects in the pipeline comedy wise coming up?
“I do but you’ll have to wait and see, all in good time. I do have lots of DJ gigs though across the country and am planning an OZ tour later this year. Hopefully I can tell you about an amazing TV project soon too”
What DJs around the world have you enjoyed dancing around to?
“Well I had a bit of a run in with Milo a while back at a festival, it was all a bit random but we were on the same line up recently so we hung out a bit and I had a bit of a dance to his set. Theres loads more, if I can just remember.”
How did you feel about being in the zoo kiosk selling rubbish on the show?
“Who said it was rubbish?”
Who is the funniest comedian that has ever walked the planet?
“I couldn’t possibly answer that, so many people make me laugh, that’s like asking a rabbit which carrots he likes best.”
What is the strangest thing you have signed for a fan?
“I always find it strange when people take off their shoes and trainers and ask me to sign them. There was a pair of knickers at a gig recently which was weird. I’ve signed a few passports too, thats insane, literally.”
Who have you met since starting your brilliant career when you just thought “oh my god, I can’t believe I’m here”.
“I tend not to get star struck, no thats a lie. I remember meeting Victoria Wood on the first Boosh tour and I was a mess. I think she’s one of the funniest comedians and a totally genius writer.”
Best live gig you have ever been to?
“When I was 19 I lived in Australia for a year and I went to the Big Day Out a music festival which was held at a race course in Melbourne, The Prodigy were top of the bill and it was the best live gig I’ve been to, it was amazing.”
What has been the best Mighty Boosh episode.
“I dont think there’s a best episode, each episode has something about it that people enjoy and love. I love the Series 3, it makes me laugh, I love watching it as a viewer, not because I’m in it.”
And finally, do you actually like Tangerine Dream?
“I love Tangerine Dream, I remember hearing it when I was younger, my brother would play it whilst he was doing his college coursework…”
