Short interview
Maxim, 2002-12-01

 

Elvis Costello, the angriest man in music. How do you plead?

I kinda like it, because it`s a simplification of something that was essentially true. The focus of my first records was narrowed down very conciously to make a statement. And it worked. Very effectively!

Do you still intimidate people?

Well, I don`t go out of my way to act, look, think or talk in a way which would ingratiate me with either the audience or the radio people. I don`t give a fuck what they think.

Do the current charts make you see red?

Radio should be about playing a wide range of good music, but that isn`t waht happens. Darius get to number one because he`s on television every five seconds. Or Kylie. There`s nothing inherently wrong with that music, but it`s success isn`t an achievement.

Do you worry about getting older?

Older musicians being bitter is just pitiful, really. I mean, why go around like Michael Jackson? Jaysus, you`ve sold 30 million records, isn`t that enough!

Loud, angry guitar music is back in vogue. What`s your take on nu-metal?

I have no opinion on it. The music isn`t for me and I wouldn`t presume to comment on it. With Limp Bizkit and Linken Park, it`s actually a hybrid of rock and hip hop, where they`re just meeeting head on.

Finally, Jamiroquai: criminally rubbish or simply woefully misguided?

It sounds kinda fussy. Making a lot of changes over very inticate rhythm. OK, sure, we`ve got the fact that you know what a major seventh is, will you just for fuck`s sake leave it alone!