The Ticket (Irish Times) 21/12/2007

[John C]

Going Live: Spider Stacey (sic) of The Pogues

Q: What's on your rider?
A: Everything you've ever dreamt of. and more besides

Q: What would be on your fantasy rider?
A: Cool air and a colour out of space.

Q: What's your pre-gig ritual/routine?
A: We gut and clean fish, frantically and in complete silence, all the while studiously avoiding eye-contact with each other.

Q: Indoor or outdoor gig?
A: Underwater, dude.

Q: What's the best gig you've ever been to?
A: Ok, I should say the Ramones at the Roundhouse in 1977 or Grinderman at the Forum earlier this year; the first because the Ramones live sounded exactly like the Ramones, only faster, louder and tighter. Grinderman? Well, they just fucking skinned the place. However, Beth Orton's sheer glee at realising she was playing to a packed out Albert Hall takes the biscuit.

Q: And the worst?
A: Anyone can have an off night, and some people are just shit.

Q: Arena or pub gig?
A: The Barrowlands in Glasgow.

Q: Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?
A: Well God is everywhere, right? So I guess it's got to be him. Or Lindsay Lohan.

Q: Most embarrassing on-stage moment?
A: You had to be there.

Q: What's your crowd-pleasing number?
A: You should really be asking them.

Q: Chatting between songs - good or bad?
A: Sometimes you just can't help yourself and you just have to hope for the best.

Q: Groupies - would you?
A: In short, no. And the word "groupie" is almost quaintly sexist. It's 2007 for Christ's sake. Girls are allowed to sleep with whoever they like these days. (Within reason, of course.)

Q: Touring - a blessing or a curse?
A: For us these days, a blessing (touch wood). Wasn't always necessarily so.

Q: When did you last play a free gig?
A: Er, I don't remember.

Tony Clayton-Lea