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The Kirk Interview

An EXCLUSIVE Internet Interview: Kirk Pengilly, November 3, 1996

Questions compiled by Stazya Ambler and edited by Neil Kothari & Mary Woods. Brought to you by the kind folks at inxs@in2xs.com, the INXS List, and An Excess of INXS.


A cyber tale from down under by Stazya Ambler

Let's talk about you first. We don't want to pry, but we're a little curious about Louise. Since we want to respect your privacy, we'll just leave this question open – anything you want to tell us, we'll be happy to hear – like maybe how you met, how things are going, or if you have to twist her arm to make her play your music (just kidding).

(I'll let her answer this one, KP) – Right then... here's the Kirkosaurus story from the Lou side of the road... We met in a nightclub (not very Mills & Boon, is it? Just as well, really.) I was out celebrating some occasion (any excuse will do) with a big gang of friends when this guy with goggles started dancing in circles around me, waving it's arms wildly and generally behaving like a total twit. I bolted (as you would) and it followed me off the dance floor and proceeded to charm me with wit, flattery and free drinks. We both share the same sick sense of humour so we had a really funny twisted conversation for an hour or two. Eventually I noticed that it wasn't paying for drinks and that people were staring at it... and finally worked out that it was actually somewhat famous. So I left it well alone after that. Unfortunately it followed me around for the next couple of months so I went on a date to keep it quiet. It's been hell ever since.

Now I spend most of my time trying to... make music, do radio shows, do lunch, look after the farm, buy beer for it (Tooheys Red, at least a couple every day), play instruments (well one actually), open Champagne, play records, and sometimes even get some sleep. As for it's music, it's remarkably talented for someone that never practices. Pity it can't remember lyrics.

And people always want to know about April. How old is she now? Has she started school yet? Is it possible to give her a kiss from each of us?

Well now, April is now 8 going on 18. She is now in 3rd grade at school and, just like her dad, doesn't pay attention and talks too much in class (according to her report cards...). She is a readaholic – she's currently reading 12 books at once... Why I don't know, but I asked her "how can you remember which character is which in each book?" and she said "I just do"... She is very smart and very beautiful (I don't know where she got that from???) and has EXTREMELY long skinny legs (I've already ordered the electric fence for when she hits her teens...).

What projects have you worked on since INXS went on hiatus, so long ago? We heard of a possible colaboration with Richard Clapton. Tell us about that and is there any other artist's releases that feature your contributions?

I have been doing heaps actually. In between slaving away on my Farm I did do some writing with Richard Clapton not long after we started the break and then started doing quite a bit of writing with a guy called Vincent Stone (who had an album out here a few years ago) for his next album. It sounds great... Sort of sleazy funk/soul. Also I have done the music for 2 short films, a few ads and a fair bit of stuff with my Louise and her writing partner, Dave Smith from "Boxcar" and they go under the title of "Eargasm". They write music for people who go out late and get mind altered.(otherwise known as dance music). They also do remixes for various local artists.

There's rumors around (don't you hate those things?) that there was a project you worked on in the early 80's for the fan club members – and of course, we don't have the whole scoop, so here's what we know – do the words Happy Christmas Song ring a bell? If they do, can you fill us in – if they don't, make something up. ;-)

Boy, I'd forgotton all about that... Yes, Andrew and I recorded a little original Xmas song way back and from memory had a bunch pressed to vinyl to distribute to the fan club... then again it may have been on a B-Side or something... I can't quite remember and I'm not even sure if I ever got a copy of that.. hhmmm.

Speaking of music, we really need to talk about the new album. You just performed the ARIA's, how do you feel the show went?

Well, those Industry shows serve a great purpose but quite frankly are a bit boring (unless of course you're up for lots of awards...) but it was okay and I think we performed the new song pretty well. Pretty different sort of song for us and not actually indicative of the new album.

The last time you took a small hiatus was between your final X show and WTWYA. You guys mentioned then in interviews that getting back together wasn't as difficult as you'd imagined it would be and that you were surprised at how much fun you were having. Did you find this album to be the same?

Very much so, if not more so... A lots happened over the last 18 months like Chris Murphy our long reigning manager resigning, new record deal, etc., etc., and as usual, when we got back together it was like we had seen each other just the day before. Also it was just the band there and we did a lot of hanging out together, going out together and walking the streets of Vancouver like a gang. Lots of laughs and oh yes, ...making music.

Were there any readjustments to make or is it just like riding a bicycle?

It is a bit like riding a bicycle but also with everyone having been so active musically outside the band over the last 18 months, it all felt very fresh and exciting. Like getting a brand new super duper bike to ride on.

You've said before that part of your success is that all of you bring your own influences into the studio when you get back together after a long break. Can you tell us what new influences you brought into this recording session?

As I mentioned in the last question, everyone has done so many different projects recently and everyone has grown so much as musicians and in confidence it was pretty exciting. I guess I was trying to push more the dance sort of areas and also pushing to try for really weird and ambient sort of sounds in the songs.

With 6 members in the group, fans are always wondering how these albumscome together. Right now it seems Michael gives Andrew some words and Andrewtells everyone what music to play. This can't be right since earlier music gives credit to all of you. Can you give us a small sketch of how it all happens?

Well, it's always been a hard one to answer because basically there has never been any hard and fast rules. Each song is approached differently and different members have always had varying degrees of input in each song, sometimes perhaps one or two of us not even playing on a song but contributing in other ways like arrangement or something. This album was very different from the start as it is the first time in years, maybe ever, that Mikey and Andy actually locked themselves in a Studio and actually wrote all the songs together from scratch, which is something the rest of us have been pushing them to do for a long time. It really shows too because the songs are far more coherent with the lyrics etc., really being sympathetic to the music and vice-versa. It made it a much quicker recording process cause in the past we've often had a song recorded and virtually completed musically and Michael would be still mucking around with lyrics and melody ideas even as late as mixing stage...(typical bloody Hutch).

1) Which comes first – the music or the lyrics?

...The beer.

2) Does each member write their own part according to their instruments or do you just take the basic line and add your own "touch" to it?

Once again see above... a mixture of both.

3) What are "remixes" – are they the brainchild of someone that gets bored in the studio or are they the evolution of doing a song over and over again on stage? Do you choose remixers by their reputation and style or do they "choose" you?

Yes they are usually the latest and greatest producers/DJ's within the Dance-Music realm and WE usually choose them and give them free reign with what they use and don't use then decide if we like it... (pretty ruthless uh??).

It seems like songs that actually get credited with your name are few and far between. Will there be anything from you on this next album or your customary B-sides and do you play more sax or guitar?

I've always played more guitar and that has always been my first instrument and I will probably be doing my "customary B-Sides".

After all these years, how do you see INXS in the music industry today – Leaders, icons, obscure 80's band?

A bunch of guys with no idea, making alot of noise. – No, probably closer to the first 2 suggestions but I think we still have a lot to do and lets be honest, our "Commercial Success" hasn't been quite as big in recent years so we are ready to work hard and try and regain some of the momentum we have lost...

Who do you see as your target audience now – are you hoping to appeal to the older fans that have been around all this time or are you still after those 14 year olds screaming in the aisles?

Personally I don't really think about that too much. I mean hopefully we appeal to all different types of people and I guess we (the Band) are not as young as we used to be and I would probably feel a bit funny appealing to teenagers old enough to be my children but hey, what the heck... I don't care what age you are if you love our music cause that's what it's REALLY all about. Rock'n'Roll is all about Youth...

Any idea of what kind of tour you guys are going to do - or that you'd like to do?

Not really. I guess we will start out smallish and see where the album takes us... Stadiums would be good!!!!

If you could pick the best place to do a show, where in the world would it be?

(my lounge room...) That's a hard one... Anywhere is good but I do personally love performing in South America cause it's all very new to them and they really go off with enthusiasm. It's still a new thing to them and there are some very funky places down there in all those different countries.

Do you have a favorite INXS album and why?

Well, definitely the new one but "WTWYA" is up there as one of the best things we have ever done. I like all of them really, for different reasons...

Something we've always debated about – INXS has always had a hint of *bad boys* image about you. There are stories of roughing it in the pubs of Australia and rumors of INXS being able to beat any other band in a fight. Yet, all of you have a rather clean cut nice guy image. Your hair is usually short, your clothes well kept and you're pretty nice guys up close and personal. How do you explain the inconsistencies in your image?

Well, yes we are spiffing guys, but we all have our bad days and our dark sides and our need to let loose sometimes.. and when you let loose and people know WHO you are there gonna talk about it or papparazzi you or whatever. But hey, who doesn't like having their mind altered occasionally these days hhmmm...???!!!

What image do you really want – Bad boys, Good guys, or maybe just human?

Gods actually... just kidding... although...start kneeling...

Looking back over all the years you've been together – pick a point in your career that you'd kill to live over again and tell us why. (not do over or re-do - actually live again because it was such a blast)

There are many, many actually, but the one that always comes to mind (probably cause it was captured so well on film and I think we performed so well) would be Wembley Stadium cause it was the point that we finally conquered the UK.

Anything you'd kill to blot from your mind for eternity?

Not really - perhaps a few of the European Summer Festivals cause they generally have such weird bills and are pretty badly organised sometimes with no time for soundchecks etc. and you never feel like they're really your shows even if you're headlining.

Who, in your opinion, do you think is the best sax player living or dead - and no, as much as we may think so, you're not allowed to pick yourself...

I would never pick myself and one of the most embarassing things ever has been when I have been voted best sax-player here in Australia in polls etc. My favourite would have to be a guy called Pharoah Sanders and he is still alive, touring and making records.

If INXS had never come about, where do you think you would be now? (Yeah, this is the "what did you want to be when you grew up" question ;-)

Impossible to answer really. Probably following some deeply spiritual path or something... or carrying Lou's records, which is after all, my real job.

And finally (let's face it, we're geeks and this question HAS to be asked), have you had a chance to visit any of the INXS websites? What do you think of them?

Yes, I have visited a few but not lately.

Are you surprised to find all these sites out there?

I am actually and its really refreshing and great to find that people do actually care and are interested in what we are doing.

Is there anything that YOU would like to see on these sites?

Small furry animals in compromising situations would be a start... – No, not really. I think most of them are pretty cool and a lot of effort seems to go into them and keeping them updated... yeh.!!

Is there anything else you'd like to tell your cyberfans?

Thanks for caring and keeping up the faith in our music and remember, always carry a towel.

See you soon...

Bye and lots of love and happiness to you all... – KP
 

 
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