Vatican DC: London calling the shots…

• 21st May 2008

Having supported The Prodigy (by special request of one excited Liam Howlett) as well as the likes of Bloc Party, The Rakes and Eighties Matchbox Disaster elsewhere and having their forthcoming debut LP ‘Make it Ride’ produced by an insistent Eliot James (Futureheads, The Rakes, White Rose Movement) surely hints at the power of the sonic punch Vatican DC (VDC) pack.

To say the predominantly punk inspired lads are held in high esteem is something of an understatement, like me saying that getting the chance to interview them was okay… it just doesn’t seem to get the message across. And so, in high expectation of their forthcoming single ‘Bugs’ (June 2nd), you, the lucky Glasswerk faithful can get an insight into their world from their lead singer Irish Steve…

AS: When you take aim with your peashooter/pellet gun/sniper rifle, you’re aiming at? Our guitar player VDC: Our guitar player Daniel Lindegren.

AS: Where do you go when it all gets too much?
VDC: I don’t do country. I go to Shoreditch.

AS: Is bedtime more half nine with a half read paper or more half four with fully red eyes?
VDC: Take a wild guess!

AS: What do you do in your recreational time?
VDC: Take a wild guess!

AS: Who would be your dream collaborator?
VDC: Robert Smith without a doubt.

AS: What’s the best music video?
VDC: It’s not a video but I think Talking Heads Stop Making Sense is right up there.

AS: If you were a musical instrument what would you be?
VDC: I would be Julian Cope’s crazy mic' stand. It’s not strictly a musical instrument but you catch my drift.

AS: Do you believe in love at first sight?
VDC: Absolutely. It’s happened to me more than once.

AS: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
VDC: The Roman Empire and Washington DC.

AS: Any regrets, missed opportunities or things that might’ve been?
VDC: Not so far. It’s all good. I imagine there will be many to come though.

AS: Were/are you aware of your escalating popularity?
VDC: I’m usually completely oblivious.

AS: Will your past come back to haunt you?
VDC: If I’m lucky.

AS: Where do you most enjoy playing live?
VDC: The Fleche d’Or in Paris is amazing.

AS: Why? What's your biggest why question and has mystified you the longest?
VDC: Why can’t people just get along?

AS: Who is most influential on your sound?
VDC: The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Fall and The Cure.

AS: Where do you sit in the grand scheme of things?
VDC: Underneath.

AS: Why the name?
VDC: Why not?

AS: Who’s the most likely to go solo or crazy?
VDC: Daniel is the most likely to do both. Solo and crazy would suit him.

AS: Any choice epitaphs, famous last words or something you’d like to be remembered for?
VDC: “It needs more top end”

AS: What makes you better than everyone else?
VDC: My innate sense of style.

AS: When do you plan to take over the world?
VDC: In about half an hour.

AS: What changes can we expect to notice with this outing?
VDC: It might rain.

AS: Are you all agreed/in control of the formats for your releases?
VDC: We never agree and we’re never in control. That’s what makes us Vatican DC.

AS: Wish you were doing anything else with your time other than music?
VDC: Sometimes journalism.

AS: Did you have any heroes when you were a teenager?
VDC: Mark E. Smith.

AS: What do you think of the paparazzi?
VDC: I love them. They love me. It’s a beautiful thing!

AS: What are you listening to right now?
VDC: White Denim.

AS: Any message to any underachieving or odds facing musician out there?
VDC: Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around, you might miss it.

AS: Any career highs or lows you care to share?
VDC: Supporting The Prodigy in Glasgow was the most amazing gig of my life. Liam and Keith from The Prodigy were dancing at the side of the stage and we blew the roof off.

AS: Do you enjoy playing live or are you more at home in a studio?
VDC: I’m all about the live show, I feed off audiences.

AS: Your career defining dream moment would be what?
VDC: Headlining the main stage at Reading on a hot summer’s day.

AS: How important do you feel visuals are in relation to music?
VDC: I have a really strong visual aesthetic. I would love to include more visuals in our show and hope to do so.

AS: What will this year bring?
VDC: Adventure.

AS: Is there more pressure playing live with a band than there is playing solo?
VDC: I couldn’t tell you, I’ve never played solo. Ask Chris Gentry about his Menswear days!

AS: Are you unlucky in love?
VDC: No.

AS: Where did you sleep last night?
VDC: A gentleman never says.

AS: What’s your secret vice, what are you a sucker for?
VDC: Wham bars.

AS: What makes the world go round?
VDC: Sex.

AS: What’s your weak point?
VDC: Sex

AS: What inspired the LP title?
VDC: Sex.

AS: Are you a good dancer?
VDC: Yes.

AS: Where’s the place to be?
VDC: Right here, right now.

AS: What’s your favourite instrument?
VDC: Guitar.

AS: Where will you retire to when you're tired of comeback concerts?
VDC: Some big old pile in the country.

AS: Who is the main driving force or do you work as a team?
VDC: We work as a very dysfunctional unhappy team.

AS: How important are the charts?
VDC: Not that important.

AS: What revival would you most like to witness?
VDC: New York in the 70s.

AS: era would you have been born in ideally?
VDC: New York in the 70s.

AS: Are exercise and diet important?
VDC: Apparently.

AS: If you could save 1 thing in the world, what would it be?
VDC: The dodo.

AS: Have you got any famous relatives?
VDC: No.

AS: Does complaining accomplish anything?
VDC: No, but that never stops me.

AS: Have you got anybody’s autograph?
VDC: No.

AS: Which rules, the digital age or the vinyl/cassette age?
VDC: The digital age rocks.

AS: Was growing up and becoming who you are today easy?
VDC: It was and is a gargantuan struggle.

AS: What’s the biggest myth about stardom?
VDC: That you make loads of money.

AS: Have you ever been conned into or out of something?
VDC: Every day.

AS: Do politics have a place in music?
VDC: Yes, but you have to be careful.

AS: Thanks so much for your time.

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