ClickMusic Interview
clickmusic.co.uk
The Essential Interview
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The Dandy Warhols have proved that they're far more than a one-hit wonder with their succesful third album, '13 Tales From Urban Bohemia'.

Their lead track, 'Get Off' saw them find their way into the hearts of us Brits again, and thus we are ever so pleased to grill lead singer Courtney Taylor and keyboardist Zia McCabe over life, love and the internet.

How was V2000?
Courtney: It was lovely to play, but it was thoughtless, the way we were treated a bit like cattle. Actually, a lot like cattle. It was quite insulting, the way they 'organised' the festival.

Zia: But the crowd were really attentive.
Do you prefer playing festivals or your own gigs?
Z: They're no different.
C: They're good when they're good, wherever it is. I'd rather play a good festival than a bad gig.

And do you prefer working in the studio or playing live?
C: I love it all. Every part of the job: the graphic design work, the getting drunk with people from our record label side of the job.

Is there any down sides?
C: There always is. It happens in every job, when things go wrong but it's still the best job.
Z: The worst part about this tour for me is that where I sleep in the bus, is right by where the beer cooler is, so when someone opens it and grabs a beer, they just let the whole lid slam. But if that's the worst thing going on in my life, big whoop.
C: Except that it does cut back on your sleep, which affects everything all day.
Z: True!

Do you have any advice for wannabe bands out there?
Z: There's no one way to get where we are. There's not even one hundred ways.
C: You make it up as you go along, but you have to believe that you're right. The best thing is just try to understand people, have patience, have good communication and listening skills. I'm okay at it. On some days I'm really good and on others days I'm crap! But to be successful in this industry, you have to be articulate and clear about why you think this should be done this way. And you have to listen to the other person tell you why it shouldn't be done this way to understand what they're missing, and then fill them in on it. You have to realise you're all on the same team.

What do you think about Napster?
C: I don't know what to think. We would like a 'Groundhog Day' where we release an album, and Napster doesn't exist, and we see how many records we sell. And then do it the way we just did, and then see how many records we sell. But I like having people listening to our music.
Z: I like the idea of streaming, so they can listen to it but not download it. And if they like it, they can go out and buy it. We don't want people to buy it and be disappointed.

What do you think about the way Metallica have handled it?
Z: If a band's pissed off about not getting their money, fine. And if Metallica's one of the few people who have enough money to fight it, and if that's going to make the other bands get what they deserve, that's cool.

Do you have lots of gigs webcasted?
C: We have lately. I don't mind, except for when 'it's not working. But the more people in on the trip, that like it, that need it, the better.
Z: I've never actually seen any of our webcasts.

Do you look at the internet a lot?
C: No. I only looked at our website for the first time ever the other day. I love it.
Z: We just laughed and laughed and laughed.

Do you look at your fansites
Z: A girl who does one used to live with me, so she used to show me anything that was worth seeing, but now she's not there I haven't seen much.

Any last words of wisdom?
C: Don't believe advertising. It will only make you unhappy.