LENE LOVICH - REVIEW AND INTERVIEW
Boar (feeling foolish) (to Les Chappell): Excuse me - but would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions?
L.C. 'No, not at all; go ahead'
Boar 'Well...are you still on Stiff Records?
L.C. (surprised at the idiocy of the question) : Yeah - sure. Definitely.
BOAR - Oh also do you know when your next album is coming out?
L.C. Yes.. probably at the beginning of next year.
After this scintillating conversation we got backstage without the press cards which I had neglected to obtain. But we get kicked out so we decide to wait until after the gig.
After a while Jane Aire finished her encore and Lene Lovich came on stage accompanied by 'Monkey Talk', an instrumental track. [Note: Incorrect. "Monkey Talk" was not played as an instrumental. Starting with the autumn 1979 tour until at least 1986 (or longer), Lene came on stage accompanied by the studio recording of her instrumental track "Big Bird" (as released on the "Say When" 12" single's b-side, May 1979). "Monkey Talk" was often the first song of the actual live set from 1978 to 1980.] The rest of the concert was one of the best I've seen. The rest of the audience agreed. The group was in fine form, as befitted the last night of the tour.. more words would be redundant. The dozens of encores having finished we went backstage again. Everyone was too relaxed to notice us and we found ourselves outside dressing room No. 2 clearly marked 'Lene Lovich'
BOAR: Knock Knock (door opens)
MANAGER: Do you mind we're busy (Door closes)
BOUNCER: Have you a press card?
BOAR: Um..No.. I'm from the Warwick Boar.
We were surrounded by dozens of groupies and assorted friends.
Les Chappell re-enters.
BOAR Can I ask you some questions?
L.C. Yeah.. sure but not just now.
Lene Lovich enters
L.L. did you want to ask some questions?
BOAR (fainting with surprise) Ah yes yes please.
BOAR: What did you think of tonight's performance?
L.L. Well of course, I don't know how well it went... I hope it was good. It certainly felt great from where we were. We made a few technical mistakes but the atmosphere was good, and that's what counts. (N.B. the only 'technical mistake' noticeable from the audience was a momentary breakdown at the start of one of the songs. But the atmosphere was great.)
BOAR: How do you think the tour as a whole went?
L.L. Really well!
BOAR: There was a lot of new material that we heard tonight, is this going to be on your new album? Especially the first track
L.l. Monkey Talk?
BOAR: Yes.
L.L. Yes, Monkey Talk is going on the new album.... and so's most of the new material. [Note: All new songs that were played on that tour appeared on the album ("Flex", released in January 1980).]
BOAR: Is the new album going to be very different to 'Stateless' ?
L.L. No, not a million miles... 500 miles maybe. We've changed. We've had a year's experience behind us. Maybe...
BOAR: What's your connection with the Sinceros?
L.L. Well, when we were doing 'Stateless' we had Bobby (Irwin) and Ron (Francois) recording with us, and then for the 'Be Stiff'' tour, we needed a band, and the Sinceros were our friends so Don (Snow) played with us as well.
BOAR: Are there any religious overtones in your songs.
L.L. OH? I don't know what... name me a song.
BOAR: Angels for example
L.L. Oh no, not religious in a traditional sense no. [Note: see also Soho News interview (New York; 02 April 1980)]
BOAR: Where do you come from?
L.L. Well, by passport I am from America, Detroit. But my father came from Yugoslavia, and my mother from Yorkshire.
BOAR: Oh well, thanks very much..
L.L O.K. That's fine, I hope to talk to all my other friends now, Bye!
And so saying she departed.
(N.B. We were the only reporters present. Boar scoops the world!)
LENE LOVICH AT HAMMERSMITH PALAIS
Reviwed by Tom Vinelott and Andrew Parker
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6th
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