Questions & Answers : Fruitbat

	Questions & Answers Victim Number One: Fruitbat from Carter USM
Back to Interviews	You've just released your final album, 'I Blame the Government', after ten years in what could be described as one of the most influential bands of your musical generation. Was it dissapointing to see your popularity decline (at least chart-wise) while you were still producing some of the best music of your career? Yes, it was disappointing, up until that point we thought that we could do no wrong, it was a bit of a shock to discover that we were mortal afterall. On the other hand, it did bring us back down to earth with a bump and stopped us turning into COMPLETE wankers. Jim Bob always writes his best lyrics when he is depressed and, to be honest, being famous is not all thatit's cracked up to be. How much did this contribute to you ending Carter USM? Obviously it was all a part of the final decision to call it a day. We definitely thought we were banging our heads against a brick wall. We found ourselves touring to an ever dwindling audience and facing resistance even from a portion of them (the fans that refused to move on from 30 Something). Carter was a living, breathing band not a vehicle for someone's student nostalgia.
		Could you give me some of the best times you've had over your career? Best gig? Favourite album / single? Best moment overall? God, there are so many! The Reading Festival '91, Zagreb '94, Guildford '98 are amongst gig that I thought were the best. My fave LP is still Post Historic Monsters and I think my fave single is either Glam Rock Cops or Bloodsport For All. My favourite moment in Carter was the evening when I brought the finished tape of 30 Something home to play to friends and family. Just watching their faces, I could see that we had cracked it! At the EmptyNet we certainly like our beer. In fact I'd go as far as to say we'd probably sell our families on the black market if we were sure we'd get a night of total inebriated enjoyment from it? Do you have any drinking anecdotes you'd be willing to share with us?
	Lying on the floor in a club in Dresden, pissed off our heads, squirting beer from our belly buttons. Getting lost ON the tour bus (it was big, but not that big). Being to drunk to play at a gig in Bradford and having to sit down for most of the set. Carter's final album was preceded by a mini-album entitled 'A World Without Dave'. So, just who is Dave and what would a world without him be like? Dave is an imaginary person the encompasses every one you know that is 'the salt of the earth' an all round decent person. The world would be hell if everyone was a nasty, greedy, selfish...etc. Luckily, most people are pretty decent. So, you "blame the government" do you? How much does poitics come into your music, because under all the irony and humour that so often graces your lyrics there must be some aggrivation or hatred towards the subjects that you sing about? I think, 'I Blame The Government' covers it. Not just politics. Just that fact that whatever political party is in 'power' the real power lies with those corporate men in grey suits that tell the Government what to do. You know them, they are the people that organized that Countryside March, the rich and ignorant.
		Do you think there's really space for politics in pop? Yes, of course there is. From Dylan to the Beatles, The Clash to Billy Bragg through Cumbawhumba, Carter. It doesn't have to be po-faced, as long as someone here's the message and takes the time to think about it. If you had the freedom to wallop any present day TV, radio or music personality who would it be? I don't believe in using physical violence to express an opinion of someone, verbal abuse usually does the trick. The thing is if there is someone really annoying you on the telly, just change the channel. Phillip Schofield got personal and (it was 'real life' and I couldn't flip to Channel 4) deserved to be shaken a little, he was being an arse all day. Which other artistes do you admire / hate past, present or up-and-coming?
	I used to hate every band but have mellowed a bit now. At the moment, my faves are Arab Strap, Ultrasound and Belle And Sebastian. Have plans become any clearer on the future of various members of Carter? Jim Bob is careering away on his solo LP, it's going to be released later this year and will be great. I have finally found my lyrical muse and have demoed a lot of stuff. I need to go and get myself a new publishing contract and then decide whether or not to form my own record company or find a label that will release me! Wez and Steve are making excellent dance music and I think it won't be long before they get a deal and you'll see them on TOTPs. Ben is in a band and they have just started gigging in the Birmingham area. I believe that they are called Khaki Starfish. Salv is playing in a band called Antonina and is also hosting pub quizzes in North London. I hope that that answers your questions satisfyingly. Love Fruityxxx The Official Carter Homepage is at http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~fruity/ See EmptyNet's 'I Blame the Government' review.

Questions & Answers

Victim Number One: Fruitbat from Carter USM