Has anyone read the jaw dropping interview with Echo and His Bunnyman in the current edition of The Mojo? David Cavanagh spends 22 hours with Mac the Mouth and it’s unexpectedly sad and moving. I won’t give too many spoilers but on the surface all is well in Bunnyworld – after several years in the wilderness crowdfunding their own LPs they’ve actually got a major label deal with BMG. The first fruits of which – is – oh…Bunnymen classics ‘re-imagined’ with strings or more ‘intimate arrangements’ (Alarm bells ringing already). Will (interviewed separately of course) sounds as chipper as ever, and remains one my all time under-rated guitar heroes. As for Ian… The things that stuck with me most were the teddy, the fly-zapping machine and the blue plastic bag deliveries. A sobering read. Still one of the great voices in rock and when he’s on form – a stellar front man who flaunts the smoking ban (although last time I saw the band he got a bit handy with his fists with a sound engineer). Ah well, he may have his demons but still worth more than a billion Morrisseys.
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“Worth more than a billion Morrisseys” – Afterword t-shirt.
I’m worth a million in Morrisseys
But you’re only worth £10.99 in Morrisons.
(Spoiler alert) Same here, I always knew Mac was “mercurial”, that’s what makes him “Mac”, but hadn’t realised quite what a casualty he seems to have become in that piece…
… and it’s worth pointing out that the writer really rates the new re-recordings highly, however hoary the old “revisiting our back-catalogue” chestnut is, and frankly, it was no doubt the “price” they had to pay to get that major deal…
We’re going to miss these garrulous punk-generation loudmouths when they’re gone. The Mac has always worn his heart on his sleeve, for better or worse – a quality that becomes more valuable all the time.
According to him, the only great voice since ‘Frank’ is no longer with us.
I assume he means Sidebottom.
He might think that but to my ears he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.
Much as I enjoy the music, Mac always seemed like someone who believed his own myth. File under “I’m pleased I’ve never met him”.
I am shocked!
(that people still read Mojo)
@dai not for the first time you have suggested that Mojo/Uncut are past their sell by date.
I and many others still get a lot out of them. If you don’t that’s fine but don’t try and transplant your opinions onto others.
I mourn the day that these music magazines will cease to be – you on the other hand seem to be convinced there is no need for them,.
I agree. I find I’m actually going back to buying the physical product more and more.
The going rate is about £5.50/£6 … I bought a pint in London last month that cost £5.30.
Mind, it did have a slice of orange in it!
The Bowie/blues CD is terrific. Listening to it now.
Didn’t you get a discount because of the orange?
I agree Mr T. Why these lovers of streaming etc have to keep knocking physical product I am at a loss to understand. I love to buy music in physical formats, I also subscribe to 3 music mags, Mojo isn`t one of them. However I do appreciate it`s existence. If people do not like the content of these publications they don`t have to buy them but I bet they make up 99% of the trolls who block the access of guenuine buyers in newsagents as they read the mags they so despise.
Well said, SteveT. That particular piece — astonishingly intimate, brilliant, illuminating — is the perfect example of something the print media do that online media simply can’t replicate. I’m glad Dr V posted about it cos it saves me doing it. Bravo, Mojo!
This puzzles me slightly. What part of it couldn’t be done online?
He’s mentioned in Peter Hook’s book – along the lines of “if you thought Hooky was an unhinged party animal, Mac was at the next level”.
He seems fantastically open about his history, outlook, and fear of flys (maybe Mojo caught him on a good day?)
Seems like the Rock & Roll lifestyle has caught up with him, big time
Well I”m sorry. No disrespect to anybody who still reads them, was just trying (and failing) to make a joke.
I have probably bought as many as most in my time, NME, Q, Mojo, Uncut, The Word etc. Even if I make fun of them I guess I am glad some of them are still there. And I do still buy the odd one occasionally.
You may think that apology is enough, Dai.
But it’s not…
Was supposed to be a reply to @SteveT On the subject in hand I used to be a huge Bunnymen fan and saw Mac around town a few times often having a beer in a Lark Lane hostelry. Relatively recently I heard from an acquaintance who works in a recording studio in London. Mac showed up at the studio for a session, the drug dealers arrived shortly afterwards.
No worries @dai I am well aware I am a dinosaur – I like music magazines, cd’s, beer that doesn’t taste like grapefruit/lemons and the fairer sex that looks like the fairer sex.
You aren’t the only one that would castigate me for that but have broad shoulders.
Haven’t got to the Bunnymen interview yet but will at the weekend. As much as Mac has entertainment value of more interest today is the news that there is a Joe Strummer collection of post Clash solo rarities that is being released. Now there was a talent.
“the fairer sex that looks like the fairer sex” not quite clear on this Mr T. I think I may need some illustrations. In the plain brown wrappers.
He means `Ladies` Moose, trouble is they don`t like him.
In 1980, Echo And The Bunnymen were finest live act around and McCulloch wasn’t just an incredible vocalist (one of the very best I’ve heard) but he was also a fantastically charismatic stage presence. I still play Crocodiles to bring back those memories.
Absolutely. Royal Court Theatre in 81 is still in my top 10 gigs ever. As well as Mac, Pete de Freitas was incredible.
Re: “Pete de Freitas was incredible”
Agree 100%.
Much missed.
I only have one CD by Echo & the Bunnymen – Evergreen from 97 & pretty fucking splendid it is too.
Must dig it out & give it a lash.
Evergreen is excellent, and one of the great comeback albums – it was at the time the first proper E&TB album for a decade.
Saw them on that tour at Bristol Uni. Terrific gig.
Me too @Vulpes-Vulpes
Christ – is it really 20 years since their bloody comeback!
coincidentally I was watching an early Being Human on the iPlayer earlier – the one with the 80s ghost and the Promise by EatB came own – I haven’t heard it for about 30 years or more – simultaneously marvellous and ridiculous.
Is that the one with 80s-locked ghost Gilbert? Brilliantly drawn character but cringe-inducing because that would have been me if I’d died then and there were ghosts..
Ooh! Here he is!
https://youtu.be/udR7C6rygJ4
“A sobering read” indeed.
I didn’t know what to expect and honestly the piece is very sad. The picture of Mac I have in my mind is of his imperial late 20’s. Realising that he is 60 next birthday, living so frugally and slightly or more than slightly damaged is sad really. For Will to be still involved says lots about him to be honest.
One of the best Mojo reads in ages.
Seconded.
The startling thing is – I’ve seen them quite recently. Will and the band were brilliant as always – Ian was full of attitude and swagger, his between song banter was equal parts funny and acerbic and full of football insults as it was in Manchester, and his voice soared above the band like it always did. Such a contrast with the reality of his day to day existence.
Topical bump.
Why is it topical?
Because Cavanagh has passed, alas.
Has the article ever been posted online? Would love to read it, but can’t find it.
PM for you
I’ve got a second hand Mac story. 1980? My good friend Steve was a massive fan and his parents who were ultra helicopterish drove him to Edinburgh to see them but as it turned out they weren’t due on stage until at least midnight. Somehow he managed to get a hold of Mac and explained his situation whereupon Mac insisted on speaking to his parents convincing them to let their son stay for the gig which they did. Mac gave a shout out to them during the gig. My friend also imparted that his accent was so thick that his parents just nodded and smiled in agreement!