Graham Reid | | 2 min read
Clap Clap Riot: Growing Up
Clap Clap Riot's debut album Counting Spins registered under that "long overdue" category. But when it came out a few months back it went straight into our Favourite Five Recent CDs page after a week for its smart combination of taut rock, sophisticated power pop manoeuvres and a slightly weary, over-it attitude in places.
It was as if they had not just assimilated some impressive and often classic influences but had given them a fresh twist . . . and when guitarist Dave Rowlands -- in advance of quick tour, see dates below -- answered our Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire you get a hint of all of that.
The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .
‘Intergalactic’ by The Beastie Boys. The first song I can remember getting really whizzed up about, learning all of the words. I think I still know most.
Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .
Presidents of the USA and Alanis Morisette. Enough said.
Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?
Lennon, Ramones, Gaga, Jacko
If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .
It would have to be something creative like a painter or something (not a house painter) ;)
The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .
‘Love’ by John Lennon, ‘Hawaii’ by The Strokes, Chris Rakete ‘That Day Won’t Come’
Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?
I have a drumstick from the Strokes drummer. It has a really unusual story behind it, he only threw out two sticks at the end of their Auckland St James show, both in completely different directions. I caught one and, strangely, my friend that I went to the gig with caught the other on the other side of the room. We met up at the end of the gig and realised we had the set.
The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .
‘The Dirt’ by Motley Crue. It just gives a great snap shot into the feral world of Rock n Roll in the Eighties.
If you could get on stage with anyone
it would be . . . (And you would play?)
The Travelling Wilburys, playing a medley. I think would tick a shit load of hero boxes. If only half of them weren’t dead.
The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .
Lost in Translation, Home Alone 2 – Lost in NY, Tom Petty – Runnin' Down a Dream
The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)
Opossom – Electric Hawaii, download was Robyn – Body Talk part 3
One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Have you heard that? Yeah that was me…
The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .
Any cover art by one of the Neilson brothers. Maybe Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!
You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .
A tattoo of my hair on my head so that I still feel complete if I somehow go bald.
David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's
all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?
I’d love to spend them traveling, playing shows and writing music.
And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”
Quite simply because it is our only full album. It wins by order of elimination.
CLAP CLAP RIOT OCTOBER DATES
Thursday 4th Oct, The Royal, 44 Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North
Friday 5th Oct, Bar Bodega, 101 Ghuznee Street, Wellington
Saturday 6th Oct, Rising Sun, K Rd, Auckland
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