Q+A VAULT / GENERAL MUSIC
What is the most unusual thing that you ever have sampled?
Dan Miller saying ‘Horse’ repeatedly very fast (as used in ‘Fly On The Windscreen’).
What are your views on sampling in general?
It’s still a grey area. If someone uses something of mine and uses it cleverly and creatively, then I’m flattered and don’t really mind. However, if they take a huge chunk, reproduce it identically and then call it theirs, that’s a different matter. But I’d be hypocritical to complain about sampling. If you use something as a source sound which you then manipulate into something essentially new, to me that’s perfectly acceptable and creative.
I am curious to know what sampler/s you would recommend today?
Probably the latest Emu samplers or Kurzweil.
Two weeks ago I bought the new Massive Attack album ‘Mezzanine’. Did they use some of your ‘SOFAD’ noises, i.e. the intro. snare of ‘Get Right With Me’.
Yes, I spotted that one immediately – better get in touch with my solicitor 😉 Actually, my attitude is ‘good luck to them’ – I have no problem with it. I suspect that it was provided by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent who was involved with mixing ‘SOFAD’ and undoubtedly has a library of sounds from it. He also mixed the Massive Attack album.
What event/band/technology has changed your music the most?
Probably the advent of the sampler.
Do you know the guys behind projects like Frontline Assembly, Delerium, Intermix – namely Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber? What is your opinion of their work?
Yes, I’ve met Rhys and he’s a thoroughly nice chap.
Have you realised that these guys often use samples from Recoil? How do you feel about it?
I’m not so precious about people using Recoil samples. I’ve never heard such blatant use by anyone that I feel ‘raped’. To some extent it is a compliment, especially if the use of the sample is creative and original.
I was quite amused when I listened to the Chemical Brothers’ first album, ‘Exit Planet Dust’ because the first track also contains samples from ‘Bloodline’. Did you know that?
Yes, I’m aware of that.
Would you ever join M.A.C.O.S.? (Musicians Against Copywriting Of Samples)
I doubt it.
What other sounds did you use from ‘SOFAD’ on ‘UM’, there seem to be a few familiar ones in there?
On the subject of sampling….I’ve received a lot of inquiries about what individual samples have been used. I’m not going to give you a list of each one but yes, I do sometimes re-use sounds that I’ve made in the past – in particular, those that are adaptable or versatile enough to be used in many different contexts.
