The main man
Hi Karl, good to speak to you again pal. Er, but saying that I love the fact that you have made me call your hotel room at 3.30am UK time, I feel like a tonne of absolute shit. I have had four alarm clocks wake me up.
“Ha ha. Come on Dan, pretend it’s Christmas Day morning. Get your glad rags on.”
Yeah cheers Karl. So you’re lying by the pool in Singapore about to play at the ‘Fuel’ Formula 1 party and I’m stumbling around in the dark in Windsor with my girlfriend snoring, great.
So…
You hail from Bewdley in the West Midlands. Have you ever take part in the New Years Day rubber duck race on the River Severn?
“Fuck me Dan you do your research. No, I left Bewdley to study art at a college in Cardiff before all that rubber duck madness started, so no. I am proud I never put my name to a rubber duck in a river. I know Robert Plant still lives there, so maybe he has had a go.”
Wales – I was there last week for DJ Lottie’s and Wall of Sound’s Mark Jones’ wedding in Portmeirion – what a beautiful country.
“Wow, I love Mark and Charlotte. Well I was in Wales for eight years at college. I went to Portmeirion pretending I was in the series The Prisoner which was filmed there screaming my head off on the beach. Funny times.”
You are appearing at the ‘Fuel’ event that is associated with the Singapore Formula 1 race – who is your money on this weekend, Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton?
“Well I have loved Formula 1 since I was a kid. We did our sound check on the 6th floor of the hotel last night which overlooks the racetrack. I have to say that if Lewis’s car is as good has been, it has to be him, he has been on fire of late. But you know, I always have a soft spot Rubens Baracello. Last night we had a walk around the track which was just incredible, great vibe.”
So a big sports fan?
“Kinda of. All my family were into football and I really rebelled against it Dan. I was down the ice hockey in Romford every Saturday night for some strange reason.”
You have made an incredible track ‘Downpipe’ with Mark Knight, DMC made it single of the week last week – how did that all come about – I think this is the first track you made outside of Underworld?
“Well I’m still hooked up to Junior Boys Own and Steven Hall suggested I talked to Mark. We talked and I sent him a vocal through the powers of MP3 and let him run with it. It was a pleasure, nice to be part of something new.”
You were cracking at the ‘Bestival’ festival the other week by the way. I saw you play whilst wearing my girlfriend’s tiny knickers.
“Loved it. So love what Rob Da Bank does, the sun was shining, the people looked great and they so loved the music. Er, knickers?”
You are a self confessed alcoholic – did you need a drink confidence to get on stage to perform with Underworld?
“No that was never a problem Dan. I was always straight walking out there. A personal thing.”
So your lyrics of ‘Born Slippy’ must have been related?
“Yes. It was my pathetic way of asking for help I suppose. But that’s yesterday’s fish and chip papers now.”
Karl, you are the band’s main song writer – who were your influences growing up, artist wise?
“John Peel…pirate radio and well, Radio Luxembourg. Can I just say to your dad, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Best country you have ever played a concert in?
“Dan, everywhere Underworld play it just goes off. Japan though is huge for us though, the UK – unbelievable, and Glasgow springing to mind.”
Big part of your earlier life – touring with the guitar with the likes of The Eurythmics, Iggy Pop and playing guitar on stage with Debbie Harry – what were the biggest highlights back then?
“Crazy days. Debbie looked after me so well and I loved her. Always been a huge Iggy Pop fan and The Sisters Of Mercy fan. But you know, taking my dad to Wembley Stadium to witness myself on stage with Debbie Harry was a ‘tears in my eyes moment’.”
You are reported never to have done an E – how does it feel standing on stage knowing so many people in front of you are off there rockers?
“As long as there are on happy drugs it’s cool, I’m no preacher. As long as they are not hurting themselves, let them enjoy the music and take care of themselves properly.”
Do you still speak to ex-Underworld band member Darren Emerson?
“When our paths cross, yeah. We have a laugh with each other. We are still mates.”
Why did he leave Underworld?
“I don’t really know. I suppose at the end of the day, he wanted to go solo and go down the DJ route which he has done amazing at. It’s what he loves.”
Best UK festival Underworld have played this Summer?
“As a band, we have only done one live exclusive set which was The Glade Festival – stunning. The gig at ‘Bestival’ was DJing, which was marvelous.”
What is the proudest Underworld moment ever?
“I know this sounds a cliche, but it’s EVERY time we play live. Also, on a personal note, when I was asked to take over and broadcast on Radio 1 with John Peel’s headphones when he passed away, well, what can you say…?
Best record you have ever made with Underworld?
“The next one.”
Fuck off. Everyone says that.
“Ha. Okay, well we have been playing out four new Underworld tunes, testing them out recently – ‘Between Stars’, ‘Always Loved A Film’, ‘Diamond Jigsaw’ and ‘Strumpet’ – they seem to be going down well. Dan, it’s time for your bed, love ya.”