| 26.01.04 The Kajagoogoo Reunion – An interview
with
Nick, tell us exactly how the Kajagoogoo reunion came about. I had no prior warning of the impending assault. I had just dropped my daughter off at nursery when a camera crew of over 25 ascended on me as I got out of the car. You’ve been out of the spotlight for many years, how did it feel to suddenly have cameras following your every move? It was ok for a few days. The kids and my wife liked being treated like royalty. So after initially agreeing, did you then have any doubts about your decision to do the show? Yes! Until I see the finished program I will continue to have doubts about doing the show. However, what’s the worst that could happen? Come over like a twat and no one wants to work with me any more? Actually that’s quite bad isn’t it? It’s no secret that there has been a lot of acrimony between you and Limahl, how did you feel about meeting up with him after so many years? The acrimony is more imagined than truth. It’s more like disagreements
over royalties. And that’s not just between Limahl and me. I feel
no acrimony toward him. I just think he continues to make the wrong
choices from a perspective of self-interest. And what about Steve, Stuart and Jez, have you kept in touch with them? Steve Stuart and I are still best mates. We have our own company that
collects the royalties from the Kajagoogoo catalogue. Also Steve and
I are working on a great band project called Industrial Salt. How did that first meeting go? Well, it was fine. I felt uncomfortable for Limahl. I wanted to put him at ease but I soon saw that there was no atmosphere between us. It was like old times. You haven’t played together in 20 years, how much rehearsal did you have prior to the gig? 12 hours! And that’s all.
Tell us about the gig itself, how was it being on stage with the rest of the band again? It felt like waking up from a coma that had lasted 20 years. There we were once more, a bit older greyer and fatter. That’s all. A lot of people came from great distances, including Poland, Italy and Germany. Does it surprise you that here is still so much interest 20 years on? Yes. I’m always amazed by that. But we’re all fans of some one. My fixations remain the same after 30 years so why shouldn’t our’s? I’m just grateful. Did you enjoy the experience? I totally enjoyed every aspect of it. I think that will come across
on film. Well as I said there were no problems. He was totally professional and communicative. Remember we weren’t together a lot though. I think they wanted to keep us apart unless the cameras were there. Just in case they missed any juicy bits.
We all talked about meeting for dinner. My wife’s father died
that week after the show so every thing went on ice for a while. In
that time I was offered 3 tours for the band in 04. One in the USA one
in Australia and one in the UK. I wanted to make the offer to Jez and
Limahl (Steve and Stu were on board already) over dinner but knew they
would take issue over certain legal/financial details going back to
their leaving man’s contracts in 1983 and 84. What went wrong? We met for dinner and all was well. I suggested we consider doing the
three tours as Kajagoogoo. Then Limahl pulled out a copy of a pre-written
letter and handed each of us one. We stopped over the main course to
read this document and Steve, Stu and I realised that there would be
no future Kajagoogoo projects. The letter contained two demands/conditions
under which Jez and Limahl were prepared to work with Steve Stu and
I again. Limahl has said through www.Limahl.co.uk that you can’t come to an agreement over business matters. He also accuses you of being foolish, short sighted and repeating mistakes that you made 20 years ago, how do you respond to that? I stand by every decision I made regarding Limahl and Jez. It would be foolish of Steve Stu and I to think we could work with Limahl again when he delivers dictums based on contracts that he and Jez signed 20 years ago on the legal advice of leading music lawyers.. In light of Limahl’s public comments about you, are you willing to clear up once and for all the truth about the break up of the band, and why you’ve come to a stale mate? I’m not prepared to tell the whole story because it’s about money. I respect Limahl and Jez’s right to privacy over this matter. But if Limahl should open “this” can of worms I will publish the letter and e-mails that he sent Steve Stu and I after the event. And that would not be in his best interest. What does 2004 hold for you? I’m preparing to present a band called Industrial Salt to record
labels. They are young and great. Steve and I have written and co-produced
the stuff and are stoked by it all. Tell us about the Maverick Helmsman, how does it differ to Stick Insect? It’s closer to a classical record than Stick Insect. It has no additional musicians, just me. I’m very excited about it and hope it will open the door for some film work commissions. Who produced and engineered the album? I did it all. Tell us more about Industrial Salt? Basically it’s two 17 year old girls from my hometown. Steve used to teach one of them guitar, that’s how we met them in the first place. We started recording with them last year and the stuff is very cool. Watch this space. Are you happy? I’m more happy than I can every remember being at any point in
my entire life. Due largely to my wonderful children and porn star wife. |
So
after the VH-1 gig did you talk about all working together again?Return to "Press Releases & Media Archive"
