John Illsley on Andertons TV

[quizzaciously]

So they announced that John went to Andertons for an interview. They usually have great stuff, though I can foresee a lot of talking about Mark without Mark (as usual).

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfEjD5njkxw/

[quizzaciously]

[wakeywakey]

Thanks for posting this.
John is always good value.

[Pottel]

thnx Quizzy

[jbaent]

Very very interesting interview, thank youvery much!

[quizzaciously]

Thanks to Andertons! What I got from this interview — yes, the song is king, and yes, if you were smart enough and humble enough to acknowledge that MK is THE songwriter in the band, then you could've stayed in the band for as long as you want.

It wasn't autocracy, but it's hard to argue when presented with songs of this quality and quantity ("Mark always had something else"). Serve the song, enjoy the master doing his thing, it's a dream job, really.

Sultans Of Cringe though was not the brightest part of this interview. I wonder why they just won't let somebody play along with John's rhythm, they have amazing guitar players on board.

If I were Lee, I'd play some rhythm, give John bass guitar, and let somebody play the lead over.

[Eddie Fox]

Lee is a decent guitarist, he just didn’t do his homework learning the song… but yeah, given the circumstances Pete should have jumped in for sure!

[quizzaciously]

Lee is a decent guitarist, he just didn’t do his homework learning the song… but yeah, given the circumstances Pete should have jumped in for sure!

That was a genuine surprise for me. For one thing, not knowing Sultans, especially being a DS fan is insane, besides, it's such an easy progression that any musician should be able to pick it up instantly. Maybe in the presence of JI, who knows, maybe I would forget how to play too

[dmg]

Thanks for that.  I just love big John.  He comes across as such a nice guy and always gives a good interview.

[Eddie Fox]

Lee is a decent guitarist, he just didn’t do his homework learning the song… but yeah, given the circumstances Pete should have jumped in for sure!

That was a genuine surprise for me. For one thing, not knowing Sultans, especially being a DS fan is insane, besides, it's such an easy progression that any musician should be able to pick it up instantly. Maybe in the presence of JI, who knows, maybe I would forget how to play too

I’d freeze for sure!

[MagicElliott]

watching it in bits. It’s SO refreshing to hear someone of that generation who acknowledged that, while it might be their preferred way to listen to an album in its entirety and no pick 20 seconds of music to judge a band now, it’s the way the industries going and they can’t change it…so learn to jump on the train and ride it.

[quizzaciously]

watching it in bits. It’s SO refreshing to hear someone of that generation who acknowledged that, while it might be their preferred way to listen to an album in its entirety and no pick 20 seconds of music to judge a band now, it’s the way the industries going and they can’t change it…so learn to jump on the train and ride it.

I perfected this technique... And listen to the music like that for the last 20 years or so. I can tell whether I like the song in 5 seconds, probably (1.5 seconds taken from the beginning, middle, and towards the end). It's strange to dramatize something they had no control over. Should they have CDs and mp3s in their teens, I think they would do the same. And now they just feel nostalgic for something they grew up with. The choice is a great thing and full albums are still here!

[Knopflerfan]

Thanks for that.  I just love big John.  He comes across as such a nice guy and always gives a good interview.

100% agree!

[MagicElliott]

Fascinating interview-Embarrassing ending.

Great to hear his awareness of current artists e.g stormzy. Mark only ever mentions guitar players from before his time or his youth.

[quizzaciously]

Fascinating interview? Embarrassing ending.

Great to hear his awareness of current artists e.g stormzy. Mark only ever mentions guitar players from before his time or his youth.

Indeed this ending was quite bizarre! Mark mentioned a lot of current artists in his British Grove Broadcast podcast, though certainly no rappers there. Current artists, but with usual folk, singer-songwriter flavor.