OCTOBER 10,
1997 - AOL LIVE CHAT WITH NICK & WARREN |
| OnlineHost: Copyright 1997 Oldsmobile; licensed
to America Online, Inc. OnlineHost: Your hosts for tonight are AOLiveMC2 (Lou) and AOLiveMC9 (Linda). OnlineHost: In 1997, Duran Duran stands virtually peerless among the crop of the MTV-led "Second British Invasion" of the early eighties. While their contemporaries have failed to sustain relevant careers, Duran Duran can boast hit singles and noticeable artistic growth at frequent intervals throughout their sixteen-year recording career. Welcome to AOL Live! AOLiveMC9: Welcome Nick and Warren, from Duran Duran! DuranDLive: Hi, this is Nick and Warren! We'll be with you for the next hour looking forward to all of your questions. AOLiveMC9: Our first question is from JOYWRYD: Question: I've been following Duran Duran for so long (going back to as far as when Nick devastated me by getting married!) and I'm so happy to see you guys back! What do each of you think of Duran tribute album? -Joy DuranDLive: Nick: We're very flattered that so many young acts have decided to cover our songs and also stunned by the diversity of the artists from speed metal to SKA. My personal favorite track is actually Eve's Plumb's version of "Save a Prayer". DuranDLive: Warren: We're looking forward to playing on Sunday at Tower Records with an assorted selection of these bands. You're going to hear some of our newer songs. AOLiveMC9: This one is from ClukCluk1: Question: So, you guys planning a concert anytime soon? Looking forward to hearing some new stuff. DuranDLive: Warren: Yes, we are. We're playing 17 shows across America between the 2nd week of November and the 2nd week of December. It'll be major markets to start with and then we'll possibly be back in the late Spring doing more intensive touring. AOLiveMC9: KingBill would like to know: Question: Did other bands inspire your music? DuranDLive: Nick: Yes, absolutely. We were all great music fans and certainly artists from the 70's such as Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and David Bowie were a great inspiration to become a musician. AOLiveMC9: Stuff4u2d asks: Question: What does Duran Duran think of their newer fans as opposed to their older fans? DuranDLive: Warren: Anybody who enjoys the music we put out, we don't have any kind of special preference. They're all welcome, but it's interesting what some of the older fans who have turned up at the various events that we've done. They've become very familiar. It's like seeing an old friend. DuranDLive: Nick: I'm always thrilled when I know that we've turned somebody new onto Duran Duran. But I also love the fact that we have, over the history of the band, kept many loyal fans from the very beginning. AOLiveMC9: And DrJay910 would like some background with this question: Question: How did you guys get started? DuranDLive: Nick: Duran Duran started in 1978 in England when John and I left school. We had a concept for the band which was to crossover dance music, electronic music and rock music to form a new sound which became Duran Duran. AOLiveMC9: BoxCharli asks: Question: Loved you on Leno! Will that be your current stage set? DuranDLive: Warren: That set was based on the video for Electric Barbarella. The crew used elements from different parts of the video. Our stage set will be probably as minimal and low tech as that for the first part of the Nov/Dec dates. There won't be any 1993 type extravaganzas. AOLiveMC9: ShannzP asks: Question: What factor do you believe has attributed to your overall ability to remain popular with today's pop culture? DuranDLive: Nick: I think songs have been the most important thing in Duran Duran's longevity, coupled with a great desire to continue making music and a belief in what we do, being very relevant to our times. I also think that Duran Duran is a very honest band who have avoided the pitfalls of jumping on bandwagons and trends. We've managed to stay true to our original ideals that Duran Duran must be unique, not fear change and always move forward and try to innovate. AOLiveMC9: RaggedTgr sends this question: Question: Hi guys, what influenced the song, "Michael (You've got a lot to answer for)?" DuranDLive: Warren: This was a piece that I started working on in Sweden in 1993. Simon liked the guitar part and after a year, he asked me to teach it to him because he wanted to write the rest of the song. He came up with a line that had something to do with a friend of his ("Michael..."). By having that line, it enabled him to write the lines to the chorus because he already had the existing melody from my part. It was basically finished very quickly. AOLiveMC9: From Inlaa: Question: Is "Out of My Mind" going to be on this album? It's a great song. I love it, but it is hard to find. DuranDLive: Nick: Yes, "Out of My Mind" is going to be on the album. It was only licensed to the movie "The Saint". It was not written specifically for the movie. It's always been part of our album. AOLiveMC9: From how you got your start we now go to a future question from Oyuki: Question: Where do you see yourselves 20 years from now? DuranDLive: Warren: Hopefully alive. That's way too far in the future. DuranDLive: Nick: Genetically enhanced. DuranDLive: Warren: Opening for the Rolling Stones. LOL AOLiveMC9: TDH1528 asks: Question: How can we get official autographs from the band of Duran Duran? DuranDLive: TDH1528 - Warren: I hear there's a lot of forgeries around. Be careful! DuranDLive: Nick: We don't have an official fan club at the moment. However, we are launching the official Duran Duran website by the end of October this year. The address will be www.duranduran.com. This, we will use a very direct link with our audience. We can't always promise to sign everything. However, the site should give us a better opportunity to make more direct contact. That is, with our fans. AOLiveMC9: From L8Bar1981: Question: After 16 years you have yet to disappoint me! The new album is great! Nick, I was wondering what made you decide to "sing" Medazzaland? DuranDLive: Nick: Medazzaland was originally an instrumental track, but one day Warren and I were in the studio and Simon hadn't arrived yet. We were talking about the track -- we were just about to send it to get mixed -- and I said to Warren, "I think this would sound great with a voice over on it. Some kind of introduction to the album. Something slightly surreal that set the tone for the record". So I quickly scribbled down some words about fear and paranoia and spoke them. Once it was completed, Simon came in and heard it and at first was a little surprised. But then we all decided that it really worked with the track and really helped the album. AOLiveMC9: D8jones asks: Question: Do making videos mean a lot to the group today, as they did in the 80's( if they ever did), even though there is a lack of exposure and respect for your classic videos? DuranDLive: Nick: Videos are important to us today and in fact, the video that we made for the 1st single off the album "Electric Barbarella", we believe is one of the best that we've done for a long time. It was shot by a director called Ellen Von Unwerth. She is a fashion photographer who we have worked with on many occasions, the first being the photographs for the "Liberty" album. It is a very kitsch tongue and cheek video which pretty much follows the story of the song. Video now seems to have found its place within the music industry and whilst we do enjoy making videos, none of them work without a great song. DuranDLive: Warren: Videos especially don't work if no one wants to play them. DuranDLive: Nick: We have met with some resistance to the "Electric Barbarella" video and also censorship, which we are a little disturbed by because we feel that it is a stylish, light-hearted look at future cybersex with many ironies. AOLiveMC9: And from ClukCluk1: Question: I have to know......Where was your favorite place to hold a concert? Stephanie, NJ DuranDLive: Nick: One of the best memories I have for a concert is Sao Paolo in Brazil, possibly because it's one of the biggest crowds we played to. I think it was 120,000 people and I remember it being an incredible atmosphere. But then, many small clubs that we have played have also been very special. DuranDLive: Warren: We once played in ancient ruins in Frejus, France. There's an old amphitheater, which is partially in ruins and that was an amazing place to play. DuranDLive: Nick: I always had a soft spot for Madison Square Garden too. DuranDLive: Warren: Yeah, we love that. AOLiveMC9: And from LdyDeardr: Question: How do you feel you have grown the most since the beginning of the band? Musically, personally or other? DuranDLive: Warren: All of the above. DuranDLive: Nick: Yeah. There is obviously a huge transition that takes place between your teenage years into your mid-30's in all of the categories you have stated. But I think everyone in the band now is feeling more in control of their lives in general and we are all very happy with what we have been able to create being so fresh after almost 20 years together. AOLiveMC9: A Medazzaland question from April UK: Question: Hi guys, how much material didn't make it onto the final version of Medazzaland? DuranDLive: Warren: There's probably about 7 songs that were discarded for various reasons. Completed ones. Some of them were written too early in the phase of the writing process and didn't stand the test of time. Other ones we felt just weren't good enough. DuranDLive: Nick: However, Warren and I have written approximately 40 other songs for the TVMania project that we are also working on during the writing period of the Duran Duran album. AOLiveMC9: SLind1000 asks: Question: Nick, have you always contributed to the lyrics or was this your first go at it? DuranDLive: Nick: I have always contributed something to the lyrics in varying degrees on different albums. Sometimes titles, other times choruses or just concepts for the songs. On the Wedding album I wrote my first complete lyric. But this album the way it worked out, I actually wrote half of the lyrics on the album, which was a challenge. I think the way I see the world is very different than Simon and it has given the album a different slant that it would have had had he written all the lyrics. I cannot see in the future with Duran Duran albums that I would not write some of the lyrics. AOLiveMC9: From Super2290: Question: Please, what do you do when you are not singing or recording? DuranDLive: Nick: Taping. Movies. DuranDLive: Warren: Reading. DuranDLive: Nick: Museums. Internet. DuranDLive: Warren: Long, boring business phone calls. DuranDLive: Nick: Long, boring flights. DuranDLive: Warren: Lots of shopping. DuranDLive: Nick: Watch the Simpsons repeatedly. DuranDLive: Warren: Yeah. AOLiveMC9: From LeBonSex: Question: Nick, any plans to produce for bands like you did with Kaja? Jessica Moffett, Denver, Colorado. DuranDLive: Nick: Warren and I have formed an entity together called TV Mania. We produced the Duran Duran album, but we have also produced an album for ourselves which is the first of a trilogy forming a complete cybersoap rock opera entitled "Bored With Prozac and the Internet?" I am very excited about this and we are hoping to release it on our own label, Lo-Fi Records sometime next year. DuranDLive: Warren: We've also as TV Mania written and produced 2 songs for Blondie who have re-formed. The project for the moment is on hold, but something should be happening within the next few months. DuranDLive: Nick: Yes, we would love to produce some new artists and we're always looking for something special and something exciting. AOLiveMC9: From Sltillman: Question: Do you guys have any say in what singles gets released? If so, what will they be?...I favor "Big Bang Generation"! DuranDLive: Nick: Yes, we do have control over what is released. However, it is important that a record company is behind your decisions. Fortunately, with the Medazzaland album, we are all in total agreement that the first single which is now being released in the US was "Electric Barbarella". "Big Bang Generation" is definitely a contender for a second or third single at the moment. AOLiveMC9: Jenaraquo would like to know: Question: Is it true that you will be performing on Saturday Night Live this season? J DuranDLive: Warren: We haven't been officially booked on SNL so there is no definite date or there might not even be a glimmer of hope left. DuranDLive: Nick: But by all means, do call them. Fax them. DuranDLive: Warren: Email them. DuranDLive: Nick and Warren: And generally harass them! DuranDLive: Nick: We do think that it would be a fun show to perform on. DuranDLive: Warren: Anything to get us to New York for a long period. Also, go to the website at www.NBC.com and write to them there! AOLiveMC9: From LdyDeardr: Question: What is your view regarding the paparazzi in light of recent events being in the spotlight yourselves as well? Our deepest sympathy to you all in the death of your Princess. DuranDLive: Warren: Paparazzi are not murderers. They're more like rodents. People who are flashing photos when you walk out of restaurants or hotels is no big deal. But people who try to invade your every private moment are true rodents. DuranDLive: Nick: Obviously, we were deeply saddened by the death of Princess Diana. And it was incredible thing in England seeing how deep she had got into people's conscious. We hope to be involved with the Diana Tribute Album pending -- being able to tie it all together logistically. AOLiveMC9: From Medazzula: Question: Although I think every DD song is great, what is the worst song you have ever recorded in your opinion? Anyone can answer! DuranDLive: Warren: There's a lot of them. DuranDLive: Nick: Pick one, Warren. DuranDLive: Warren: As time goes on, you grow and hit upon a few things that were great in that period and some things didn't have the right direction or were put together in the wrong way. DuranDLive: Nick: I think the biggest waste of a song was "UMF" on the Wedding album because it really had something special, but actually the lyric just didn't make it. AOLiveMC9: Michy24 asks: Question: Is it true that you will be performing at the opening of the Andy Warhol retrospective at The Whitney? DuranDLive: Nick: Yes, it is true that we will be performing at an Andy Warhol opening on November 6th in NYC at the Whitney Museum. The show is about Warhol and fashion and style. We were invited to play and the proceeds from that evening are going to charity. So unfortunately, the tables are very expensive, but however it is for a great cause. AOLiveMC9: Anleitung asks: Question: Are any of the members married. And, if not, what kind of girls do they like? DuranDLive: Warren: Simon is married and he has 3 children. Nick is divorced and has 1 child. He's in a very happy relationship. And I am attached, but not married and have one child. DuranDLive: Nick: But we like all sorts of girls. DuranDLive: Every flavor. DuranDLive: Warren: That's the truth. AOLiveMC9: From SwTgUrL74: Question: What advice can you give for young children pursuing the lifestyle of a rock band? DuranDLive: Nick: I don't really think that young children pursue the life of rock bands. Potentially when you get into your teens, it's a career that many kids think about and for those who want to take it seriously, they could have a lot of fun. But it is extremely hard work and something that you have to be completely devoted to in order to make it work. I think many people have total misconceptions about what the life of a rock star is really about. In fact, most people who are successful in the music industry have unbelievably busy schedules which usually last from very early in the morning until very late at night. You really have to be totally together at all times to make that happen and to put over what you want people to understand about the band and your music. AOLiveMC9: From WhiteTygr: Question: Do you guys ever read the Duran Duran Lives/Vh1 boards on America Online? DuranDLive: Warren: No. DuranDLive: Nick: No, never seen them. DuranDLive: Warren: Should we read them? AOLiveMC9: And from Raininfir: Question: When you first appeared on MTV, I was 6 years old. My mom wouldn't let me watch MTV. I remember hiding the TV remote so I could watch your "Hungry Like A Wolf" video. Thanx for the memories!!!!! Will you be making more classic videos like these? DuranDLive: Nick: Video is still very important to us and as I said a little earlier this evening, I think the video we have made for our new single "Electric Barbarella" harks back to some of our earlier videos and it's certainly the best for awhile. It shows the Duran Duran sense of humor, which is something that I think disappeared for awhile. AOLiveMC9: Ah, and a tie in for that last question comes from Noahcave: Question: Do you think the video for "Electric Barbarella" might give people the wrong idea of how deep and complex and rich Medazzaland is? DuranDLive: Warren: I think the video for "Electric Barbarella" conjures up the same feelings as the song does. It makes you laugh, it makes you smile. It's one song off a 12-song album, but it was the perfect visual representation for that piece of music. The rest of the videos for the singles we put out for this album will be very different. But a couple will be directed by the same director. DuranDLive: Nick: It's always hard to put out one song or one video which sets the tone for a project, particularly for Duran Duran because we tend to be quite diverse even within one album. But I hope that by now, people who are familiar with our music understand that there are many layers to the band and to our records. We are happy that "Electric Barbarella" is an optimistic song and sometimes you need music that makes you smile as well as all the dark pieces that we're all so familiar with from the last five years, particularly. AOLiveMC9: Shaggie40 asks: Question: I am a big fan. With the commercial success of your last album what were the major influences in creating this album in such a different matter? Shaggie400 from CA. DuranDLive: Warren: The last album was a commercial failure. The one before it was a success. That's probably what you're referring to. This album is a progression from the Wedding album. It's the first original material we've put out since 1993 and we've learned a lot over those 4 years and our standards have been raised even higher because of songs like "Ordinary World" and we feel that in Medazzaland, we've succeeded in reaching that level by making a complete album as each song is relevant to the context of the music. We'll be performing practically entire album on our dates at the end of this year along with some older stuff that people haven't heard played in a long time and they all work really well together. AOLiveMC9: From BatesGirl: Question: Nick, as we enter the 21st century, do you think fashion will continue to have such an impact on music (and vice versa) or do you think technology will be more important on the music being made? DuranDLive: Nick: I've always thought that fashion and music were very closely related. For us, technology has also been incredibly important in Duran Duran. We continue to try and remain on the cutting edge where new things become available. For example, we were very proud to become the first band to actually sell music directly through the internet a few weeks ago whereby you could actually and still can, download our single "Electric Barbarella" from the Liquid Audio site into your own hard disk for $.99. We will be doing a lot more with the internet in the future and many other areas of technology. DuranDLive: Nick: My personal keyboard rig now includes an Apple laptop computer, which I actually play using samples like a keyboard. We intend to utilize music, fashion, technology, movies and all other pop culture within the Duran Duran strata for the future. AOLiveMC9: BerriSpit asks: Question: Who were the dudes playing bass and drums with you guys on Leno last night? DuranDLive: Warren: The drummer is the drummer who played with us on the promotion tour for the Thank You album. His name is Steve Alexander. He's from England. The bass player someone named Wes Wehmiller who had done some shows with me for my solo stuff in 1996. He's American. AOLiveMC9: We have time for a controversial last question - :) and it is sent by Blonda22: Question: Which fans are better -- European fans or American? DuranDLive: Nick: We really don't differentiate between nationalities or even continents. We're always happy to be able to get through to people. It's very important to Duran Duran that we do touch our audience and keep making people smile. We have taken a long time to make the last record, and now it is finally coming out next Tuesday. We feel that it has been worthwhile and we hope that over the next few months, we will be getting through to all the people who have supported Duran Duran over the years and hopefully a whole lot of new people. DuranDLive: Warren: But we do prefer living in Europe. AOLiveMC9: Thank you so much for joining us this evening, Nick and Warren. It has been a great pleasure to have you with us. DuranDLive: Warren: I guess this is as close as it gets to talking directly to all of you out there and we come and play in your city, we'll be on-stage and it'll be those magical moments that happen with live music with a band you love and we hope you love the album. We're sorry it took so long, but we hope you feel it was worth the wait. Thanks for logging on and hanging in there. DuranDLive: Nick: Sorry we couldn't stay on here for 24 hours solid, but I'm working on it. I'm sure that throughout the duration of the album's cycle, we will be doing more online chats. As you all know, this is the future. We are really very excited about the Duran Duran site and I hope that when it's up you will come and visit it because we are trying to make it something that leaps ahead a little bit further. It's going to have some really exciting interactive features that involve you and we rely upon your participation within this to make it all work. Hope you like it. See you next time! Ciao! AOLiveMC9: Once again, we appreciate you joining us tonight. Audience, thanks so much for participating. Good night, everyone. OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest online every Monday through Friday and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "AOL Live" within 24 hours after the event has ended. OnlineHost: Copyright 1997 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc. ======================== More about this Event: 10/10 Duran Duran 10:00pm ET (Bowl) In 1997, Duran Duran stands virtually peerless among the crop of the MTV-led "Second British Invasion" of the early eighties. While their contemporaries have failed to sustain relevant careers, Duran Duran can boast hit singles and noticeable artistic growth at frequent intervals throughout their sixteen-year recording career. In fact, their most recent original material, a self-titled LP commonly referred to as "The Wedding Album," continues to thrive as their top-selling title to date. The singles from that album, "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone" will, in retrospect, be as synonymous with the nineties as the band's earlier hits were to the eighties. "Medazzaland" continues where "The Wedding Album" left off. "Medazzaland" will be released on October 14th. Alternative pop artists from the start, Duran Duran are as influenced by the world around them as they are influential to others. That scope has encompassed surprising influences in the past, some of which received treatment on their 1995 covers album, "Thank You." Frontman Simon LeBon continues to project a persona whose vocals are willful and confident. His traditionally decorative lyrics now embrace cynical themes of technological advancement, his quest for realism, and an honest take on friendship. Clearly, LeBon and company have a lot more on their minds than commercial gratification. Guitarist Warren Cuccurullo earned his pedigree outside of Duran Duran. Playing behind Frank Zappa (1978-1980) granted the young American the sweeping perspective that seems to have affected all Zappa graduates. Subsequent time with Missing Persons furthered his pop education, before stretching his boundaries to hard rock with a solo release "Thanks To Frank," and ambient music with "Machine Language," alongside his impassioned input into Duran Duran's "The Wedding Album," "Thank You," and "Medazzaland." Band founder Nick Rhodes somehow embodies all that is British in a reigning rock-n-roll tradition. Drawing from the musical, visual, and lyrical stylistic elements of Bowie, Ferry, Sylvian, and Eno, Rhodes is keeper of the Duran flame. "Medazzaland" is twelve tracks deep, a full album, a journey that harkens back to the records that influenced the band to become who they are. Of their peers, only U2 chooses to present the LP concept in its classic form. Make no mistake, Duran Duran aspires to similar artistic high ground. "Medazzaland" answers the challenge. |