Interview 2006
I did a chat with Perry in June 2006. It’s his first public interview since his departure from The Cure in May 2005. In the interview, Perry talks about the breakup, his future plans and Football bets.
PB.DE: Hello Perry! Thank you for taking the time for our little interview. How are you?
Perry: I’m very well, thank you - very happy at the moment.
PB.DE: That sounds good. Well, more than a year is gone, since the ways of The Cure and you parted. What have you been doing in the meantime?
Perry: I’ve been on a year long holiday. I didn’t plan anything, just decided to relax and enjoy life, and a year just went, like that.
PB.DE: So you had a year to think about what happened. How do you feel about the whole situation now? The circumstances, or at least what people got to know, seemed more than sad after such a long time…
Perry: The truth is that I only think about it when people ask me about it. I know this might be hard to believe, but that’s because people assumed that it must have been very traumatic for me, or that I’d be in denial of that, but, as you say, a year has past
and I’m still waiting for some kind of emotional reaction, but I just feel something like relief. I agree that the circumstances were sad, but I had no control over that.
PB.DE: Have you talked to the others since?
Perry: No, I haven’t, except for shortly after it happened, I attended a funeral and Robert was there, but it was hardly the place or occasion the talk. since then I’ve heard nothing from anyone. A few months ago I lost my phone with all the number in it, so I can’t even call anyone if I wanted to. I guess there’s always email…
PB.DE: Which reasons, from your point of view, could have led to the breakup?
Perry: I’ve asked myself this question and tried to think of every possible reason, but doing this without any clues just leads you to fantasy and paranoia, so until I hear an honest reason, I won’t think about it.
PB.DE: Artistically seen, were you happy with the direction the band took in the last two years of your membership? Obviously there were tensions in the band around the recording of the last album.
Perry: I have to say that I always preferred to see the positive side, and I sincerely believed that The Cure still had the potential to put out a really great album, but it was often hard to sustain that belief.
PB.DE: Why?
Perry: Usually because of choices made concerning what the band should do, what songs should be released, the way the band was being marketed, etc. It often felt like these decisions belied a lack of confidence and led to compromise.
PB.DE: Now, after more than 15 years which album period would you describe as the most favourite in your cure years and why?
Perry: I have to say that “Wish” was by far my favourite. Obviously the fact that I had just joined the band has a lot to do with that, but it came on the back of Disintegration, the band were really at their peak and it really felt that way, it felt like the world was ours for the taking.
PB.DE: Ok, let’s have a look at your future. Are there any plans for your career as a musician? Or is it even possible you might do something very different?
Perry: I have only recently started to play music, let alone write it! I did not pick up a guitar for a year. Now I’m dabbling on a computer and I’ve put together a guitar rig at my house and I have to say it’s really fun - and that’s what music is supposed to be! I didn’t want to go near it until it felt like something I had enthusiasm for, until it was something I’d enjoy. I refused to jump back into something just so I could be seen to be doing something. I don’t know what I’ll do, and I don’t really care. If I like the music I make, it will be available somewhere (probably on MySpace!) but it might be a while… But I might release the Country and Western album I recorded years ago, under the pseudonym “Pat Gently”…
PB.DE: Could you imagine to join a band again?
Perry: Hmm, I can’t imagine being in a band, but that’s because I don’t know who they are! Playing music with other people is much more fun and more productive. All the aspects of being in a band are ok if the band is good - meaning they make good music but also they are decent people.
PB.DE: I just thought you sound pretty happy to not have the usual obligations anymore.
Perry: I certainly am, and because of that, I would have to believe very much in something to take part in it. But isn’t that how it should be?
PB.DE: Sure. Aside from your own work, which music do you listen to at the moment?
Perry: I listen to the classical music station of the BBC (Radio 3) all day, every day, and when they play something I don’t like, I play a Clash album.
PB.DE: Ok I won’t let you go without a question to the current world cup finals. Are you following the games?
Perry: Not every game, but I do enjoy the World Cup. I imagine that it must be even better when it’s in your home country.
PB.DE: Yes it’s a great atmosphere over here. So, any bets on the winner?
Perry: My money is on… Trinidad… No! Engand… No! Alright, I think Germany will certainly crush all before them!
PB.DE: Good bet, but honestly, England doesn’t look well so far…
Perry: Oh, you mean scoring a goal at the last minute looks well? (It was actually the first minute of the extra time when Germany scored 1-0 against Poland… Chris)
PB.DE: Anyway. Thank you very much for taking the time for us, Perry.
forrás
