Just in case you've been hiding under a rock somewhere. The Wildhearts formed in late 1989, after Ginger was sacked from the Quireboys. Ginger formed the Ginger And The Sonic Circus, Silver Ginger 5, Clam Abuse, and Supershit 666 whilst on breaks from The Wildhearts, as well as releasing material and touring as a solo artist.
The Wildhearts' sound is a molatav cocktail of hard rock and melodic pop music, combining influences as diverse as The Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica. The Wildhearts were hugely influential in the mid-1990s, although they themselves never achieved huge success, owing in part to the indifference of radio stations and the mainstream music press, and also many "in camp" problems. In the band's turbulent and unpredictable history, many members have come and gone, but they have always been based around its founder Ginger. Despite many of their singles being refused air play on the radio in their early days they still managed to enter the British charts in the top 20, and the band has remained at the forefront of the British Rock Scene since 1993.
Fast forward to December 2005 / January 2006, Ginger released the 'Valor Del Corazon a double album on Cargo / Round records to the great rave of critics and fans around the world. Ginger's next solo effort 'Yoni', was released in January 2007 on Round Records.
The Rocker and I asked the man behind it all Ginger, who once claimed that during a recording session he stole a tractor and drove it into an outside swimming pool, about this years assault at the South X Southwest Festival and the band's new album. Here is what he shared with us.
AAM: In your opinion, what is it about the SXSW Festival that is different from the other festivals you have played? Any memorable moments you'd like to share with us?
GINGER: SXSW is by far the craziest festival I've ever been to, and that includes illegal Spanish gypsy fares, German beer festivals and NYC Hells Angels music fests. There is a slight air of proffessionalism amid the chaos and booze at SXSW, indicating that at the beginning of the event someone had a plan and assumed some kind of control. I imagine that within 24 hours of lift off, every SXSW, the plan is that there is no longer a plan and sonic mayhem ensues. Last time we were there we played a small club that had a BBQ and outdoor area. At the end of the night, instead of telling everyone to drink up and leave, the bar staff took it upon themselves to take everyones glasses from their drunken hands and smash them on the ground in front of the punter. There were people bleeding from all kinds of glass related injuries come midnight, and not one injury coming from an inebriated patron. It was like the fucking wild west!
AAM: Can you talk to us about the new WILDHEARTS album. What is the title? How many songs have you written so far?
GINGER: We're mixing it right now. It is self titled and there are 14 songs written, 12 of which will make the finished album. It's really heavy, really melodic, really anthemic, really Rock n roll, really catchy, really adventurous and really loud. Really.
AAM: Did you see any ghosts in the (Tutbury) Castle in Britian while you were recording?
GINGER: Did we, f*** Me and CJ captured some film footage and shots of orbs but what the fuck do they prove? It really affected my belief in ghosts, even though I've seen some very paranormal things that I had never argued with before. Maybe I was tired when the previous sightings happened, I dunno. All I know is that the experience left me feeling like a kid being told that Santa doesn't exist. Living in a Castle was amazing, don't get me wrong. I think I probably just wanted to see ghosts a little too much.
AAM: The Wildhearts have been together for quite some time now. What is the secret to the band's longevity?
GINGER: I have no idea. I guess we just like the music we play. It appeals to us on a lot of levels that we can't get anywhere else. Also, as we get older, we like each other more and more. Mix that with the fact that we lived so dangerously when we were younger I think it always gives us something else to prove as we get older.
AAM: . Are their plans to doing any show dates in America besides NYC??
GINGER: Yes, we're looking to play a few places in between NY and Texas. We want to do the whole road trip thing in two Winnebago's, so we'll need to stop and play to break up the journey!
AAM: You played with The Darkness on your last tour of the U.S What band or bands would you like to play with over here in 2007?
GINGER: Oh man, anyone and everyone. The two bands I'd love to play with the most are Mastodon and The Bronx. Stick it together as a three band bill and I will have to kill myself when it's over as life will have officially peaked.
AAM: We've always said that you were one of rocks prolific writers. Besides the new Wildhearts CD, you have a solo CD called 'Yoni', tell us about that.
GINGER: It's an album written about girls. I had quite a promiscous year in 2006 and found that my sole source of reference for new material was sex, both good and bad. It's a fun place to conduct research for new songs. The album is very musical and experimental and has been received really well in UK so far. I'd like to find distribution in USA for it as it touches all my points of influence that Americans seem to really like, such as Queen, Police, Elvis Costello, The Who, The Beatles, David Bowie and The Stones.
AAM: How does your songwriting differ between Wildhearts' songs and solo ones?
GINGER: Less people hear the solo songs, haha. The more solo stuff I do the more my vision for how The Wildhearts should sound is streamlined and focused. Before I recorded the solo albums I wanted to put every different style of music possible on Wildhearts albums, which is confusing for the listener. So now I confuse the listener with my own music and simply let The Wildhearts blow their ears apart.
AAM: Tell us about the Wildhearts DVD? Is it a concert or documentary style DVD?
GINGER: The first full length DVD will be a documentary/overview type thing with lots of concert footage and candid stuff throughout the years. It's going to be an exhaustive process trawling through all the stuff we have on film and then editing it, but the final article will be well worth it, if only to get this project off my chest and move on. As a fan I love seeing personal scrap-book type documentaries on bands, so I hope our fans will appreciate this DVD. It's a kind of 'thank you' for all the years of memories. Too many of which I can't even remember.
AAM: Where is Ginger at in his life? And where is he going?
GINGER: I am at a transcendental point of my life and I am going to move on, although it will take all of 2007 to fully prepare the transition. Life is starting to make a little more sense so I'm going to take my hard earned wisdom and use it in the pursuit of happiness. Wish me luck.
AAM: When your not recording or touring, what do you like doing to pass the time?
GINGER: I'm always recording and touring.
Unfortunately after this interview, we were informed that The Wildhearts had to postpone their U.S. tour because of visa problems.
All The Rocker and I can say is keep an eye out for their new release and future dates, and be prepared to GET ROCKED OUT OF YOUR MINDS! Thanks to Ginger for sharing his time with us. Cheers mate!
