AÑO: 5 | NÚMERO 46
THE 13th UN A R E V IS TA IM A GINA RIA
ANDI SEX GANG A PROPHET WITHOUT LAND
[ Interview with Andi Sex Gang by Diego Centuriรณn ]
A PROPHET WITHOUT LAND
As a prophet in a dark land that grows over time, creating a legend that verges on truths and myths, Andi rises from its own ashes showing that the years have not transformed that desire to seek in art the proper way to explore and make of his voice a distinctive element for more than thirty years.A prophet without land and looking for a new ground on which to unfold the wings of his imagination. In this interview I will try to go to the bottom of the person and inquire about his view of the world and his view of art, leaving aside his albums from the past that can surely be read on the Internet. Hello Andi, thank you for agreeing to do this interview and we will try to talk a little bit about everything. To start at the beginning of everything. By the end of the 70s, punk had revolutionized England and the world. Where did you find yourself when punk bursts? And what did you feel when it die out as fast as it exploded? “Hello Diego, nice to meet you and a pleasure to do this interview. When Punk exploded in the UK, I was living in Slough, the place of my birth. It was an industrial town at that time, close to Heathrow Airport and the famous Windsor Castle. Situated on the outskirts of West London, the place felt like it was caught in between two different planes of existence, a state of limbo. There really wasn’t much of an alternative scene in Slough then, and most certainly not among my fellow schoolmates. Fortunately though, I had older friends who I used to hang with and they opened me up to the beauty and freshness of this new music. My first exposures to this new music, were The Sex Pistols, Wire, The Clash and Buzzcocks. The Pistols and Wire were the two that really stood out for me. As for Punk’s demise and the creation of ‘New Wave’, I knew then that the music industry had hijacked
the revolution, sanitized it and taken over the reigns of control. This made me incredibly angry and even more determined to change the status quo.” I read that you had the name of the band before "the band". Was it already a way to look for art where there was not? That is to say without musicians but with an idea. This was the way some of us did things at that time. The previous name I had used before Sex Gang Children, was Panic Button.It was a band name without a band, just me. Often getting gigs first then finding musicians to do those gigs. All in a frenzied blur of creative energy and determination. I think for some of us back then and definitely speaking for myself, it was about an idea and the art first. The band becomes the vehicle for the idea, then the band becomes that idea. Evolution through the art and a vision realised. You can imagine that all that movement here came later and the question has to do with the feeling that produced the outbreak of punk. What was the feeling of a young man like you in those years? I felt it was something that was obviously needed. Just wasn’t sure if it was the right sort of change as the mainstream press and media gave a very slanted and distorted view of Punk. Living in Slough at that time I was initially only exposed to that mainstream media, which at best was non informative and at worst just utter bullshit. I needed to discover for myself and make sure the music spoke true and some of it did, initially. I somehow felt that this movement would be short lived, burn out in a flash. It had to. What else could it do? But what would follow in the wake of that firebrand storm would determine the cultural future for many generations to come. This was more than a responsibility for future artists, it was a vocation, a sacred duty
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in the pursuit of art and the preservation but you have thrown yourself in search of culture. The writing was on the wall for of something that is artistic beyond of those of us who were willing to read it. success (which is what the vast majority does not seek).Do you think that art The existence of Sex Gang Children must always be on the edge of expecbegins. Looking and listening to the tations, to put it in a more obvious way, scene of those years, you were always of the established? different, you were always one step Art is a mirror we often do not wish to look further in the sound experimentation. into to, but sometimes, we must. Art should Did you notice that at that moment? always challenge our pre-conceptions, I was aware of what was needed, I was but it should also be an enjoyable expeaware of what was around us at the time rience. Art has to be challenging, becauand what needed to change. I always had se the established status quo is a piece a strong feeling of what the band should of shit that cannot be polished. However, be. The constant that drove all these fee- before art can challenge, first, it HAS to lings was the music, and the music was be good! linked to those feelings. It was always about the beautiful challenge and I felt What branch of art you still have to strongly, as we all did, that our music was venture into and you still do not dare? ready to challenge. I’ve dabbled in a few art forms, but however, the art of assassination is something When looking for new art forms, your I have always felt I would be very good at, solo career went much further in the but somehow, backed off from. However, experimentation, you have even made my life is not over yet. word albums, things that are difficult We could talk about specific discs of to approach "commercially speaking", his discography, but I think he should
be bored with repeating the same thing. But for those people who read this interview and do not know their work. Why album would you say to enter your world? Difficult question. Maybe Blind! or Madman In The Basket. Currently there is a resurgence, more washed out, of post punk, and many try to generate the same sound of those years. What do you think of this revival that often ends up being a copy?What do you think is happening with people who need to look back? People should grow with their influences, and not have to look back to the past to plunder. There is a big difference. It really all depends what their motivation is. There are the ‘makers’ and the ‘fakers’. To the fakers I will say this, just remember with music you cannot lie, no matter how hard you may try. How do you see art in general today? It could be much more exciting, but it isn’t. The arts have been hijacked by the rich kids, they have the contacts and the mo-
ney, but they lack the edge. (See above) ‘You cannot lie with art’. It’s the language of intense expression. But hey, there are still true artists out there today, you just have to look for them a little harder. Technology has advanced so much that sometimes it exceeds all expectations of communicating an artistic work. Today for many artists’ social networks is the place where they have to be yes or yes to feel active. Whether uploading videos, an EP, a song, a photo ... something that makes their fans do not forget about them. This is an appreciation that I have of talking so much with new artists. How do you get on with technology, both computer and instrumental? I love the new technology, what is there not to love?!! Recording has become so much easier to achieve and to use and it’s more cost effective now. Which means that it opens up the opportunity for more people to create their music in a physical format and get it out there to the world. Fabulous! Me? I’ve lovingly adapted to it. At some point or another in time, you have
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to learn the physical craft of how to get your ideas across in a physical medium otherwise you are at the mercy of lesser people who understand the technology, but lack that sense of vision. Take note. What do you think when artists mention your projects as influence? I am deeply honoured.
where they can follow you or listen to your music. www.sexgangchildren.com www.andisexgang.com https://www.facebook.com/ SexGangChildrenOfficial/ https://www.facebook.com/ andisexgangofficial/ https://www.facebook.com/DadaDegas/ https://www.facebook.com/ LiberationLondon/ Also on Spotify, Amazon, bandcamp, Soundcloud , Apple music and all the major digital stores.
Are you currently presenting new material, do you plan to record something new? Yes, I am launching my new project ‘Dada Degas’ and working on a new Sex Gang Children album for release in 2019. Is there something you want to say that I did not ask? What are your plans in this year? When I look at myself in the cold light of Working on the new albums! End of this day, I realize, I’m just a soul city hitman. year there will be SGC shows in Europe and the USA, permitting the American au- A pleasure to have made this interview thorities let me in. and hope that in the near future we can Thanking you for this opportunity to in- talk about your new job. terview you, I ask you about the places Thank you very much Andi!
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The13th U NA R EVISTA IMA GINA RIA