| October 1999 SoundStage! Talks with Jay Aston
Gene Loves Jezebel got its start when two brothers left Wales and headed for London. Their flamboyant stage presence and dynamic live shows quickly earned them a place as one of the most influential rock bands to emerge in the mid '80s. The success of the third album, Discover (Geffen), catapulted the band to international fame. The first single, "Heartache" made them MTV darlings. The next single, "Desire", hit #7 on Billboard Dance charts. The hit Geffen albums House of Dolls and Kiss of Life followed. Kiss of Life featured the hit single "Jealous" which charted to #1 on Billboards Modern Rock chart. GLJ then signed to Savage Records, and released the critically acclaimed masterpiece, Heavenly Bodies. In 1997, a loyal fan convinced the band to record a new album, VII. A departure from the slick production work associated with their earlier music, VII is an updated blend of English and American Alternative rock. Containing the moody rocker "Love Keeps Dragging Me Down" and the love ballad "Who Wants To Go To Heaven" written for author Anne Rice for the film Interview With A Vampire. VII is sure to bring back fans as well as capture an entire new generation.
Jay Aston: I'm still too close to "7" to really be objective. SS!: How has the band's sound
evolved since first getting together in the early '80's? SS!: I am interested in hearing about your approach to songwriting. JA: I write by listening to the aching child that I nurture inside of me. Some call it "Soul." It is the force that defines my voice & the language that I use in the context of our music. I was very unhappy early GLJ. I contributed more than anybody. People took credit for my guitar lines & melodies. I was happiest when singing. My lead vocals are only featured on "Upstairs" & "Tarantula Pop" on the 1'st album, although I sing throughout. Those two songs are easily the best on that record. When I listen back I am amazed how defined my vocals are. I liked sharing vocals in a live setting, but never liked my brother's vocals or what I saw as clumsiness in the band's execution of some of the songs. I can totally see Bjork's frustration whilst in the SugarCubes. It's like creating a beautiful painting, only to have it ruined by someone sticking their messy paws all over it. I will always be proud of those paintings so don't you try & say they’re yours, let alone try to copy them just because you look like me. SS!: You speak with tremendous
pride of ownership over your creations and with a desire to have credit given where it is
due. I'm curious to hear your opinion on the rise of MP3 and with it, the ability for
anyone to download and pirate Gene Loves Jezebel's music? What impact does this have on
you as JA: As an artist, I want as many people as possible to hear my music. Pirating & MP3 are facts of life now. As long as people are interested in my music, that's all I am ever concerned with. Give me an audience, then I have my purpose. MP3 helps. SS!: In 1998 you released an acoustic guitar driven solo album entitled Unpopular Songs. What inspired you to release a solo album which had such a significantly different vibe from anything you had done before? As an artist, which project did you find more fulfilling, Unpopular Songs or VII? JA: Unpopular songs achieved what I wanted it to. It is unassuming on early listenings, but is very black in reality. I'd been in NYC writing it, not that I sit down to "write" and the versions I'd developed with guitarist Francois Perez were just "TOO Heavy" for A&R folk. This is pre M.Manson , etc., so I decided it was all becoming too intense & recorded the songs very simply, armed with a notion that I could become almost troubadour like & travel with guitar, free of "baggage." I will release the Francois Perez versions shortly. You'll understand it all then I hope. SS!: As I am sure you will agree, some of your lyrics are far from cheery. What is the impetus behind the angst and depression, of which you often sing? JA: I love that stuff. I've never been more miserable. Misery created "Desire," "Stephen" & "Love Keeps Dragging me Down". SS!: Was there ever a time when you thought that Gene Loves Jezebel might never make a seventh album? Tell us about how VII became a reality? JA: I didn't ever give up on GLJ, so I wasn't surprised to make a 7'th album. I hated recording it & sang it very quickly {2 days}. The best part of it was recording "Liquor Man" with Peter Walsh & Joel Patterson in "Thornfield," a grand old mansion in beautiful Norfolk England. Good Indian food & lashings of red wine. Excellent company & a big warm fire. Ahh..Heaven. SS!: What was it specifically that you abhorred about recording VII? JA: Working with my brother is always one big pain in the ass. We both make each other feel bad. I hate all the crap associated with breaking an album. Who doesn't? I dream of a scenario where I could survive without it. I love performing, traveling & expressing myself. SS!: What current musicians do you admire? JA: My favourite new artist is Jessica Blake (Jeckstar). She has enormous potential. A great singer, unique musician & songwriter. She has her "own way" of looking at all things. She inspires. SS!: What are your thoughts on the state of the music industry today? JA: I'm excited by the possibilities of true independence. We seem to be in the midst of a revolution. Anything is possible. It must have felt like this in the sixties. Of course I'm mindful of how all that potential was corrupted as soon as it became obvious that there was money to be made. Maybe this "Revolution" will be harder to control by the corporate record co.'s because there isn't money to be made. I dream. Gene Loves Jezebel is currently on tour with The Mission UK and Mike Peters of The Alarm. ...Bruce Bassett GO BACK TO: |
SoundStage! recently
had a chance to e-chat with Gene Loves Jezebel’s Jay Aston about the band, the music,
and MP3, amongst other topics. 
SoundStage!: How would you describe the
overall feel and sound on VII?