3 Colours Dead

Discovered by Creation boss Alan McGee in the mid-90s, indie favourites 3 Colours Red named themselves after the classic Krysztof Kieslowski film after thumbing through a copy of Time Out for inspiration. Scoring support slots with the likes of Marilyn Manson and Silverchair, they split in 1999 only to reform in 2003. This time they’ve truly decided to call it a day and guitarists Chris McCormack and Ben Harding invited uk-fusion into their dressing room for a chat. Clearly they were lost for words…

C: Yeah, tonight is the last night.

Are you sad?

C: Yeah, but not really. It’s a mutual thing, its not just one person like last time it was Pete’s [Vukovic] decision.

What were your influences?

Chris: Punk, indie, metal – I was a massive fan of The Clash and The Sex Pistols.

Did you support them on their tour?

C: Yeah, we supported them at Finsbury Park [in 1996, Sex Pistols reunion tour].

Are you self-taught?

C: Yeah, Never Mind the Bollocks taught me all I know.

What’s your favourite song to perform?

C: ‘London Calling’ by The Clash.

What about one of your own?

B: I’ve really enjoyed doing ‘Sunny In England’.

Have you ever forgotten any words on stage?

C: Yeah, at sound-check this afternoon. Yeah, a few times.

So what did you do?

C: Rely on the audience.

What’s been your most memorable gig?

B: The Download Festival three years ago.

C: Pistols gig.

It must have been mad…

C: Yeah, it was mind-boggling! I did a bungee jump; I was out of my fucking mind on Es and coke – my head went purple.

Indeed. What do you make of the new bands around at the moment?

C: Yeah, I don’t mind them, I think they have a nice energy going on. It’s better than all the other shit that’s around. We were around five or six years ago, during Britpop and I lived in Camden, which is where it was all happening. I’d just moved to London so it was really exciting; every night was a party. (I hate Camden but Hungo swears by it. It's where he does all his shopping and he's so proud of it. Well, he is from Durham...says it all really...;-) – Ed)

So from tomorrow, what are your immediate plans? Going down to the job centre?

C: Wipe up the mess! I’m writing an album for a media company to be used in computer games.

B: I might have to start again from scratch. Quite exciting, I suppose – scary and exciting.

Have you had any regrets?

C: I regret Pete splitting up the band when we were flying.

Have you snogged any famous people? (Sheesh, Sonia! Can obviously tell YOU read Heat! – Ed)

C: Er yeah, loads – not saying who.

Right. What was kinky the first time?

C; Er, what? What was WHAT the first time? Kinky?? Erm, Banana Dick Lick.

SS: Yeah, but it tastes like maple syrup.
C: Really? I didn’t taste it! I wasn’t the taster! (Oh God, that's enough! – Ed) What does it taste like? (She just told you! It tastes like fucking maple syrup! – Ed)

[For readers unaware – and let’s face it – that’ll be the vast majority – Banana Dick Lick is a, erm, tasteful product commonly available through the Ann Summers range. Or so Sonia reliably informs us.]

S:  Sweet and sticky. It’s nice out of the bottle. (I beg your pardon?! – Ed)

C: Yeah, right!
Yes, really! Well, thank you for your time, sirs. We wish you the very best of luck with your endeavours.

If You Ain't Got A Weapon

No part of this interview can be re-produced without the permission of uk-fusion.com.