Weekly > Interviews
Goldie Lookin’ Chain
Goldie Lookin’ Chain are a band that i’ve been very dismissive of in the past, for me they were a joke band making terrible music that really did steal column inches and airwaves from more worthy bands.
The chance to interview them though was certainly an interesting proposition and I have to say i’ve got a lot more respect for the guys now. These Welsh rappers may have a comedy side and yes it does come out brilliantly in the interview, just ask Gok Wan, but they also have been around a good while now, don’t take themselves too seriously and are quite level headed about their fellow musicians, their fans and how they fit into things.
With a new single (By Any Means Necessary) out on 16th March and the album Asbo4Life following a couple of weeks later I managed to grab a little bit of time with the Newport gang in their busy schedule.
You have a new album coming out this year called Asbo4life, can you tell us a little bit about this and how it compares to previous albums.
This album is all brand spanking new and it rocks, we didn’t use any samples, it’s all original music which means we don’t have to pay dead people to use a hook, there’s still a massive party vibe going on, you can’t have GLC without a party its like having Sean Ryder without a damaged liver, it’s not right.
Basically we taken the it to the next level, if the other GLC albums started in the menswear department we just got into a lift and went up to the lingerie department and it’s hot…hot enough to make a priest sweat and a prostitute cry…wicked!
Although it’s your 4th full studio album, it’s actually your tenth with the six unofficial albums you released early on in your career, do you think you deserve respect for the longevity of your career?
The other day someone called us veterans which is nice because I have always taken an interest in animals, I really love the fact that people are interested in GLC it’s the best job in the world so knowing that someone actually wants to hear what we are doing next is ace. I reckon that we will keep doing it until there’s only one of us left, I dunno what that album will sound like but i’d come back from beyond the grave to listen to it.
What type of person do you think buys GLC records generally?
At first I only thought my parents and some of my mates would buy the records but there seems to be a real cross section of people, I’ve met school kids, taxi drivers, doctors, dentists, alien abduction experts and even an estate agent who have forked out cash for the album so you can’t really put a specific target audience to it, basically safe people buy the albums and I fucking love them for it.
Do you feel any guilt for stealing limelight and radio play from more talented artists who don’t have a comedy image to get them airplay etc?
I’ve never felt guilty about using humour in music, these days a lot of music on the radio gets there because a massive record label is behind it pushing all the buttons, I’m really glad that we have a had a chance to show people that there are other types of music available.
Otherwise everyone would have to listen to love music or songs about kissing girls and liking it, that’s not a bad thing but I prefer specialist films about kissing girls…you can get them free online these days too.
How do the rest of the music world and more serious groups react to you when they play gigs and festivals with you?
Pretty good, last year we got to play V and we ended up doing a stage invasion with the Guillemots, purely because we shared a beer backstage and we had a laugh, it makes you realise that most bands know that there’s no point in being too cool for school, unless they are massive like Bros or Blue, bands have to tour and live off crap food and sweat for a living we are all in the same boat we just wear different clothes to each other.
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Add to favouritesIf you were going to compare your music to a pizza what type of pizza would it be and why?
It would have to be a 12 inch meat fantasy, really unhealthy, dripping in fat but totally irresistible once you’ve had eight cans and a couple of jazz fags.
Is their really any point to GLC?
Yeah, it’s a way to just say fuck it I’ve had enough of whatever I’m doing and I’m going to sack it all off to party, it also lets people know that no matter how stupid something may seem, if you wanna do it you can…
Look at Gok Wan that bloke on the telly, he makes women undress, on paper that idea makes him sound like a sex offender but by actually doing it he has made the public realise that it works, there’s a little bit of magic in everyone and we can help you realise your destiny, just come to a gig.
Aside from making the music you’ve also between you had a number of spin offs such as Big Brother, presenting radio shows etc, what other side projects do you have on the go at the moment?
Yeah we’ve been doing a sport show on Channel 4 for the Olympics in 2012 it goes out on Sunday mornings and that was nuts, me and Rhys got to take on some shit hot pro sportsmen and lose…it was awesome.
We’ve also been working with a German techno duo called “digital sex” check them out on I tunes proper dirty techno that makes your eyes bleed, there’s been loads of stuff going on behind the doors of GLC towers it’s a bit like Noels House Party but without the gunge tank, hopefully we can get one installed on the tour bus in March.
You’ve had a number of chart successes so far, what is your minimum requirement chart wise with your new album?
I want it to go to number one in ten countries so I can retire and buy Simon Le Bon’s Yacht, failing that as long as we recoup costs get a tour and manage to get the next one out I’m well happy.
Do you have a message for any of the music buying public who hate your music?
Not really you can’t have everybody love your music its impossible but I suppose I should say something crap like an American rapper…..How’s this “Don’t hate the player, hate the game baby!” or alternately just spend your cash on something you like, If I hated GLC I would spend my cash on beer and fags instead.
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