Power, Piers Morgan and Post-Rock: Mogwai Set For Modern Sky
Quiet. Loud. Quiet again. Not the most accurate description of Mogwai's music, but not bad for a four-word introduction to one of the most influential bands ever to have come out of Scotland. We spoke to the band's resident multi-instrumentalist, Barry Burns, as Mogwai prepared for their slot closing out the last night of this week's Modern Sky Festival (Oct 3-5: For details on the festival lineup and ticket information, see our Live Music Roundup). We started by asking Barry about the band's Gremlins-inspired name ...
The name “Mogwai” comes from a Chinese word for “ghost” or “monster.” Do you think that affects the way Chinese people perceive you?
I don't know, I hope not. It's just a name and I don't actually think it was known to us that Mogwai was a Chinese word until a few years after the band was formed.
We keep having to tell our music editor to cut down on her use of the term “post-rock.” What do you reckon “post-rock” means?
I think it somehow became a blanket term for instrumental music with the standard "rock band" instrumentation. It's an awful term, sounds pompous to me anyway.
What would you rather be described as?
Instrumental band is fine by me.
Besides the music itself, you’ve always had good song titles. Do you have a favorite?
I think maybe “Friend of The Night” or “Glasgow Megasnake” are my favourites.
Who would you be most embarrassed or ashamed to find out was a Mogwai fan?
Piers Morgan. He is one the most awful people on the planet. You probably don't even know him … I have no idea why he is famous, but I'd be gutted to find out he liked our music.
What did you make of the recent riots in Britain?
It seemed like it just became an excuse to steal things after the peaceful protest part of it. We lost a lot of our stock in the Sony/PIAS warehouse fire, so we were very angry about that.
If Mogwai was in power in Britain, what would be the first three things you’d do?
Make England, Scotland and Wales three separate countries, just to see what happens. Is that three things? I'm sure we'd all survive.
You’re allowed to bring one musician, dead or alive, into the Mogwai fold. But you would have to lose one of your current members. Who would you bring in and who would get the boot?
Oh dear, that’s too cruel! I couldn't possibly answer that.
Mogwai are tasked with creating a Glaswegian supergroup. Who would you pick to join?
Guitar/vocals: John McKeown from The Yummy Fur, my favourite Glasgow band of all time.
Guitar/vocals: Martin Henry from De Rosa. Martin writes great lyrics and amazing songs.
Bass/vocals: Gerry Love from Teenage Fanclub. He's the first bass player that comes immediately to mind.
Drums: James Hamilton from Errors. James is a great drummer, one of Glasgow's finest.
Keyboards: Graeme Ronald from Remember Remember. Graeme is probably my favourite "composer" from Glasgow and a great pianist too.
October 2011 is our tenth anniversary issue. Give us a five-track playlist for celebrating or surviving an anniversary (of any kind).
“Super Freak” by Rick James
“No Tears” by Tuxedomoon
“Fratres” by Arvo Pärt
“I'm So Depressed” by Abner Jay
“Debaser” by Pixies
Mogwai headline the Modern Sky Festival on Oct 5 at Huabei International Ski Resort.
Photo: Sweetslyrics.com
