THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Andrew Gladstone of Golden Curtain

Elsewhere has a soft spot for the band Golden Curtain because they make unashamed pop-rock music which is big on verses and choruses, and so we have previously said good things about their albums English Tuning (2013) and this year's Dream City.

And if you click on those links you will see the pedigree in this three-piece.

So we are delighted to see them booked for an Auckland gig at the Wine Cellar on August 2 (see poster below) and commend them to you. STarts at 8.30 and ends at 10.30 (And there are three bands! Count 'em!!)

It also seemed timely to have drummer Andrew Gladstone turn his attention and humour to our Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire. And he has. 

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Sibelius - Karelia Suite. I was very young and my parent’s record collection was mainly classical and brass bands. I just had to listen to it again to remind myself. I can see why I got so excited by it as 6 year old. It’s like a movie soundtrack that you can make your own imaginary movie to. There may have been a Nana Mouskouri record in the collection as well.

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

Kiss. I went to see them at Western Springs, too. You can hear the audio of that concert on a website locally. It is really bad. But the boots and make-up made up for it. Rock and Roll All Night still works, kind of.

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

Lennon or Jagger (tosses coin). Nirvana’s Nevermind was a bolt from the blue for me at the time but I’d more likely listen to the Ramones now. Madonna I suppose. And Jacko for Off the wall and earlier

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Hey, I’m a drummer

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Well I’ll go for three songs that most people (probably) haven’t heard that I have accidentally stumbled on and are really great.

The Boxcar Rattle – Hallucinogens. From NZ somewhere. Cool song that always makes me laugh.

Phillip Matthew Bauer - Latin American Ficciones. Just out. The guitarist/keyboardist from the Walkmen. His first crack at writing his own songs and lyrics. He did good.

There are so many Golden Curtain songs that will never be heard by 99.9999% of the world’s ears but I’d broadcast “Be Around” from English Tuning to the world if I could.

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

I restore and collect old drums. Some will have history that is lost except in the wood grain of the drums. However, the last owner of the Premier kit used to record Dream City told me it was previously owned by Peter ‘Rooda’ Warren before his DD Smash days.

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

There’s been so many but one of my more recent favourites has been Thirteen Tonne Theory by Mark Seymour

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

Earth Wind and Fire. I’d be the one on Banjo

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

I’m not hard to understand so I’d go with three of the craziest David Lynch films so people might think I’m harder to understand than I actually am.

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

50 copies of Dream City to hype it into the charts. Does that still work? Hope so – cost me a packet.

Downloads (all purchased legally). Matt DeMarco, Timber Timbre, Hamilton Leithauser, Phillip Matthew Bauer, Courtney Barnett.

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 . . .

Waterloo Sunset

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

A Velvet Underground poster. Had it for years and it’s black and white so fits with most decor

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

Tattoo from Fantasy Island

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

With Bowie doing whatever he’s doing. He’d know what to do.

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

This is the best thing since sliced whale meat people!

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