‘Walk Dance Talk Sing’ – the seventh album from one of our favourite bands. World exclusive
Interview by Dan Prince
Jim, welcome back to DMCWORLD. I know you are on tour at the moment, where on the UK’s shores are you today?
You’ve caught me on a rare day of decompression, at home in Nottingham, before we head out on the road again tomorrow. It’s been filled with family vibes, mixed with a fast turnaround of washing and picking up the car from the garage, very rock and roll.
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after crawling out of bed?
I should say something cool and considered here but it was Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson (it’s a massive favourite with my daughter).
It’s been a big week for politics two weeks ago in Britain, what are your thoughts on that whole debacle?
Debacle is a good choice of words, for me it was confirmation that the general British public are twits and the rest are the loud minority. Don’t get me wrong, I hate David Cameron with a passion but I didn’t like any of the candidates or the campaigns they trailed. It reminded me of an even shitter version of the X Factor – cheap point scoring and promising to the world, just to get a result. It’s a complete pantomime.
Who is in charge of the music on the tour bus or are you all each lost in your own headphone world?
Haha! Responsibilities for music are most definitely shared (until someone throws such a curve-ball that extreme action needs to be taken). I personally love it when Ric, our front of house engineer, gets stuck in because he comes from a slightly different musical background, so you tend to hear new and exciting sounds.
So, ‘Walk Dance Talk Sing,’ your seventh album – deep house, funk and soul mixed with modern electronic pop and sprinkled with a liberal mount of disco dust. Let’s hear about it…
Like A Fool – This harks back to the more old school Crazy Penis sound – bang a sample in and away we go.
The Come On – This is probably the straightest ‘disco’ track on the album but don’t let that put you off, it’s solid.
Echo – This explores our techier, heavier side here but it’s juxtaposed with a soaring vocal from Dani.
Cruel Mistress – Is melancholy but uplifting – dare I say anthemic?!
Magnetise – We loved getting the sounds right for this song – very atmospheric and stripped back.
Something More – This was probably the most explorative track on the album – it’s like Souxsie & The Banshees on an E.
Walk Dance Talk Sing – Has a simple groove with characterful vocals and rhythmic guitars bringing us the feeling.
Scrap The Book – A live favourite, up tempo soul.
The Way – A little breather, high on emotion, the deep grand piano sets the scene for another sublime performance from Dani.
Hear My Song – A very classic sound here coupled with a catchy as hell vocal = winner!
Witch Doctor – A little nod to Sylvester and that unashamed pumped up late night disco sound we love so much. It closes the album and our current live set to great effect.
How long did the album take to make and how easy do you find it coming up with the track titles?
It was a constantly evolving process this time round and it took a while. We didn’t feel the need to rush, so we had a lot of material and had explored many avenues in the end. It gave us a nice problem of narrowing down the tracks for maximum album effect. Titles are usually the last thing we think about…
When was the last time you had a massive row about music?
We’ve had our fair share of rows but they go back years – these days we know each other so well we tend to put forward a reasoned argument and hope we can persuade the other party to our way of thinking.
Can you tell us three bucket list adventures which you would all like to do in your lifetime?
Life’s a big enough adventure for me thanks.
Can you name an album each of you have that you’d probably hide if we came round to yours?
I’m not ashamed of a guilty pleasure and my record collection is full of them.
Tell us about some of the festivals you are looking forward to this summer…
I’m looking forward to Love Saves The Day in Bristol and The Garden festival in Croatia. Those are two particular favourites, with great line-ups and wonderful crowds.
What has been your best ever festival experience?
We had to do four festivals, in three days, a few years back in Australia & New Zealand. It was the tightest of tight schedules, proper rock and roll; late nights, lost luggage, a private jet (that turned out to be a lawn mower with wings) and the biggest crowd we have ever played to.
And the worst?
As above.
One of the things we love about Crazy P is that you’ve stayed relatively grounded and pretty much true to yourselves. When however was the last time one of you had to rein in another band member and have a word about their diva-ness?
We’re all capable of spitting the dummy from time to time but Dani obviously tops the chart and rightly so. ‘The talent’ as I call her, needs a bit of fluffing now and again.
“There’s a more intimate connection to your audience now we’re all hooked up via Facebook, which can be both rewarding and frustrating!” Discuss…
It is what it is and I think the rewards far outweigh the frustrations. As long as you take everything negative with a pinch of salt you’ll be fine.
What are the five big records in your box this weekend, please give us a few words on each…
The Black Madonna – Stay
Ron Basejam – When I Hear That Music
Four Tet – Percussions
Braxton Holmes – Psychotic Pimpin’
My System Echo – My Revival
And finally, what are your plans for after the summer studio wise?
We’ll check out of Betty Ford and see what happens…
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