• achtergronden
• DE 7EVEN
• video's
• agenda

• dossiers
• festivals
• columns

ernaast

Arab Strap

As soon as the news arrived that NME organised a webcast with the guys, we wrote down some questions and prepared ourselves for a brightening chat. But, were you ever under the impression that the guys from ARAB STRAP are normal blokes?!?Read the webcast transcript and you'll know: they're wicked.

Tekst: Norbert Pek

Publicatiedatum: 01 oktober 1999

What do you think of bootlegs? (Not that any of your shows are ever bootlegged.)
Answer: Very sexy...the higher the boot the better....with stockings.

And that's just the start. This interview changed my whole opinion about the band. These weren't desperate and sad boys. They are all just very crazy. Let's continue with this profound interview:

What's the meaning behind Belle & Sebastian's album title "The Boy with the Arab Strap"? Is that you? Do you hang out with those guys?
Answer: No, we would like to hang those guys

I think I saw AS last year at Reading, but I am not sure. Please describe your band's appearance (in full flight).
Answer: We're not sure if we played, but apparently we did. You decide.

Can we expect a greatest hits set at Camber Sands, or are you gonna play loads of new stuff?
Answer: We're going to do a medley of all the previous stuff and one new song from our fourth album.

And this is just a selection of the Q&A so far. The band refused to give serious answers and avoided all of my questions. Instead, they started to flirt with some of the girls firing questions at them.

Eline: Am I the only girl who gets wet while listening to Arab Strap?
Answer: No, not at all. We have proof...

Eline: Well, please prove it to me. I only get wet while listening to Arab Strap and Tindersticks.
Answer: What do you look like?

And so forths. All the people who made up some good questions got pissed off because of the lack of Arab Strap and started to be rude. Even I entered the following thesis using the alter ego 'Caesar':

Your CD fits right up my ass.
Answer: Shove your head up as well.

Which must have made the band very angry provoking the following Q&A

I haven't got your album yet. Give me one good reason why I should buy your album.
Answer: BECAUSE WE THINK YOU MIGHT LIKE IT.

None of my questions are being answered, what's going on?
Answer: We're busy.

Where are you going after this Webchat has finished?
Answer: Up your arse....

I think 'pyjamas' is your best song? what do you think?
Answer: Fuck you!

What does the name Arab Strap mean? (I am not British)
Answer: Arab Strap means nothing to me.

All the chatters were able to see the band by a webcam and it was clear they had the time of their life putting all these nonsense on the web. Again: I really did not expect the interview to be like this, but to be honest, I really liked it and I had a lot of fun reading the answers. At last, here are some high quality answers by Arab Strap I can't keep from you.

Have you had more sex since being in a band?
Answer: Yes, but that's because we have girlfriends now.

How much did they exagerate the size of your dobber on the drawing on the cover of Philophobia then, eh?
Answer: By about 5 inches.

Say something contraversial
Answer: ContrOversial.

Mitch: Do you call this work?
Answer: No, Mitch, we don't.

Do you want to talk about football?
Answer: No, but please ask us something interesting cause no one else has.

James: do you think that the fact that no one is asking you questions is because you are fucking total shite music and the only reason most people are here is through hearing your name on the Belle and Sebastian album or being VERY bored at work?
Answer: Possibly, but what does that make you, Jim.

What's your favourite porno film ?
Answer: Sex Wars.

What happens in the film 'Sex Wars' ??
Answer: The hero is arrested by Admiral Ackbar after being sucked off by a space whore in the cantina.

Moffat, why are you a fat, red faced alco?
Answer: Because I eat too much, drink too much and I'm always embarassed.

(this article contains elements from NME.com content)

http://www.kindamuzik.net/achtergrond/arab-strap/arab-strap-484/484/
Meer Arab Strap op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/arab-strap