Musicians came to Ukraine in their world tour in support of their new studio album Not Your Kind of People. In addition to songs from the new album, Garbage played their immortal hits: “I Think I’m Paranoid,” “Why Do You Love Me,” “Stupid Girl,” and also the sound track from the James Bond series “The World Is Not Enough.”
Garbage band was founded in the American city Madison (Wisconsin) in 1994. Their debut album that was released in 1995 presented the fusion of the original tough grunge sound with pop melodies and electronic effects. The album has sold over four million copies and was recognized as double platinum in Australia, the UK, and the US. The second album Version 2.0 (1998) was rather a deviation towards electronic and techno music. It was awarded by Grammy, Album of the Year, and Best Rock Album prizes. The next album that followed in 2001 Beautiful Garbage made in a style of keen satire on contemporary pop culture, got into top 10 releases of that year by the Rolling Stone Magazine. In 2005 Garbage released Bleed Like Me, which got on the fourth position in the Billboard Top 200 chart.
After seven year break members of the famous rock band proved that they are in perfect concert shape. Today, this band is one of the brightest bands on the mid-1990s and the American “icon” of alternative rock. Band members are: Shirley Manson (vocalist), Steve Marker (guitar), Duke Erikson (bass), and Butch Vig (drums). Fiery and emotional on the stage, after the performance the musicians told The Day about what made them return to music life, what they did during their “vacation,” and how the creative personalities get along with each other.
Shirley Manson: “We are excited to be back on the stage! In fact, I think that only with age you realize your privileges as a musician. For example, today my husband and I were walking along the streets of Saint Petersburg. And a day before that we walked around Moscow. We travel to places where not every person can go even once in their lifetime. Now we all have the opportunity to appreciate what we have, because traveling is the greatest advantage of our rhythm of life.”
Duke Erikson: “We are lucky!”
For several years you were on a so-called “sabbatical,” and in May of this year you released your fifth studio album on your own label Stunvolume. Whose idea was it to get together again?
Sh.M.: “I think it was my idea. However, when I called the guys they said that they were just thinking about the same. We were very excited about the very possibility to create music together again.”
D.E.: “And also, perhaps, the stars settled the right way in the sky.”
Sh.M.: “Another motivating factor was the offer made by some agent to organize our joint show with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. For us it may become the realization of our old dream to perform with some national orchestra.”
These are interesting perspectives. Please tell us about the program you prepared for Ukrainian fans. Will it be different from the concert you gave within the framework of the summer festival Just Rock-2012 held in Odesa?
Sh.M.: “It will be an absolutely different show!”
Butch Vig: “There will be everything at this concert! We will perform songs from the latest album Not Your Kind of People and the super hits loved by many in new arrangements – they will sound much more interesting! Fans will have lots of surprises!”
How would you describe your songs from the album Not Your Kind of People to those, who haven’t heard them but know your music?
B.V.: “We want to make our music sound in a new fresh way. Songs like ‘Stupid Girl,’ that was played for over 5,000 times need new arrangements.”
Sh.M.: “A lot also depends on the audience because in each city they react to the same songs in different ways. Sometimes audience is already excited and in other places audience still needs warming up.”
In 1998 you recorded the song “The World is not Enough” especially for the 19th film in the James Bond series. Have you watched the most recent film Skyfall? Do you plan to create music for films?
Steve Marker: “No, I haven’t watched the new film about James Bond yet but we hope to see it in the near future.”
B.V.: “Writing music for films is something we would absolutely love to do. And, of course, we are pleased that our songs were used in some movies.”
Speaking of movies, you are the real “men in black”! Do you dress in black on purpose?
Sh.M.: “We like this color.”
B.V.: “We suit each other perfectly. With the time we look more and more alike.”
Be honest, have you ever had any regrets about the fact that you called the band Garbage?
B.V.: “No, but I remember when we signed our contract in America. Then we were told that our album was great, songs were awesome, but the name of the band was disgusting. But later agents changed their minds saying that Garbage perfectly suited the music we played.”
D.E.: “Well, after we sold four million records, you could put up with the name of the band…”
Shirley, in one of your interviews you said that you arranged big funeral for your solo album burying your songs deep so that no one would ever hear them. What about your ambitions? Haven’t you enjoyed your solo career?
Sh.M.: “I think that for all of us the true musical love is our band. We overcame all the difficulties arising from a variety of different reasons from the outside. We get along well with each other. It is amazing, very few rock bands can be proud of such relations within the band.
“The only reason for a couple of solo songs releases was the fact that our group was in a very difficult situation. This was not caused by any ambitions or a desire to begin a solo career, it was rather caused by some kind of disappointment. The record company was acting badly towards us as a rock band and towards our creative vision.
“Now, I believe that people who work together bring all their collective power to get something exciting. A band is the best place to implement ambitions of a solo performer. By the way, it is much easier to be a solo singer.”
B.V.: “I think that for all of us Garbage is a guide to musical experimentation. And we have always been a rock band open to experimenting.”
Shirley, what else have you been doing in six years apart from the release of solo songs?
Sh.M.: “Actually, a lot of things have happened in lives of each one of us during this time. I got married, moved to Los Angeles, rescued a dog… I relaxed and watched TV. The same was happening to the boys, though, believe me, they also watched TV a lot!” (Laughs.)
