ANDI SEX GANG interviewed by Vince Corkadel

In 1982 Sex Gang Children burst onto the UK music scene, creating a path of their own with such singles as “Beasts” and “Into The Abyss”. Led by vocalist/songwriter Andi Sex Gang, Sex Gang Children were one of the first bands that started the Gothic Rock movement. Over the years Andi (with and without SGC) has released many albums and worked with such notables as Mick Ronson, Simon Boswell and Marc Almond. In July of 2002 Andi released the first studio album from SGC in nearly a decade entitled ‘Bastard Art’. Andi took time out from recording a new spoken word album and SGC tour dates to speak with us...

ML: What are some of your favourite films and actors?

ASG: The list is very long, but here are just a few... 'The Testament of Dr. Mabuse.' / 'Pink Flamingos' / 'Metropolis'/
'Thundercrack' / 'Midnight Cowboy'/ 'Mephisto' / 'Aguire, The Wrath of God' / 'Sebastian'/ 'Cabaret'./ 'Dracula' (1932) / ' Il Conformisto' / 'The Third Man'.

ML: Do these films ever influence your music?

ASG: Sure they do, but not in a way I could explain clearly.I don't know exactly what it is, it's just everything about them, it's what they make me feel, just like certain music, or events that happen in life. In that vast expanse we call the 'sub conscious', it manifests itself , and then comes through, in my music. I only take control of what comes through. Back to ground level, I love the medium of film, camera angles, lighting, movement, "Iris in, Iris out". I love it all, when done well, and especially when it's innovative.

ML: How did you end up recording the songs "The Quick And The Dead", "The Naked And The Dead" and "You Don't Know Me" for Dario Argento's “Phenonema"?

ASG: Dario had heard Simon (Boswell) playing a remix he'd just done of (the Sex Gang Children song) Deiche, asking him if that was my 'real' voice, he then told Simon, "Get him over here!"

ML: What was Argento like to work with?

ASG: I didn't really 'work' with Dario, Simon & I did what we wanted to do. Dario would just come to the studio & sit back & watch & listen to us working. I partied with him a few times, he was great, his mistress was great. I liked Dario, he really is an eccentric gentleman, and a true Artist.

ML: Would you like to do more music for films?

ASG: Sure, but on my terms. I don't paint by numbers. If they're happy to let me get on with it, then I'm happy to do it.

ML: You did tribute albums to Derek Jarman ("Last Of England") and Werner Herzog ("Wrath Of God"). How did these come about?

ASG: The former Head of 'Dress to Kill' records, suggested the idea to me, stating that Film had seemingly had a big influence in my music. I felt enthused , writing musical pieces inspired by the films of some of my favourite Directors. Unfortunately, the packaging and marketing of these albums was fucking atrocious to the point of embarrassing! Fucking assholes....

ML: You've recently released a new Sex Gang Children album, "Bastard Art". What inspired the music on this album?

ASG: The things that have been, and things that were yet to come.

ML: Any parting thoughts?
ASG: If Life is a Movie, then write your own script.

For more information on Andi and Sex Gang Children, visit www.andisexgang.com and www.sexgangchildren.com