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“If we got horrendously rich and fucked up and died then I suppose that might have stopped us, but we’ve still got a hunger in us.” Make no mistake about it Primal Scream are more alive today then they have ever been. Sitting side by side on a comfortable leather suite, one leg crossed - mirroring each other’s body language, in a small office in London, I’m speaking with keyboardist Martin Duffy about surviving in one of Britain’s greatest living bands.
There are few groups who can hold their own when it comes to endurance. With over twenty years in the business and nine studio albums under their belts Primal Scream have outlasted most people’s expectations. Primal Scream, a band put together by Bobby Gillespie – who quit his position as drummer of The Jesus and Mary Chain to do so – came to light through the success of 1991’s ‘Screamadelica’. A departure from their early indie rock sound of the 80s, they were quickly propelled into the mainstream. The album even won the very first Mercury Music Prize. Like much of the early nineties, the album echoed a dance and drug euphoria that was sweeping Britain.
The band have never shied away from the discussion of their own consumption of narcotics. One journalist even mistook a conversation about heroin for a takeaway order. Duffy confesses the drug culture has always been a prominent fixture because of the encouragement they received. He professes that it is not just the musically minded of the UK that has succumbed to such temptations. “It’s not just bands, it’s this country. The drink culture and the drug culture wasn’t usually that bad. I mean like builders on building sites they’re all off their heads. All doing cocaine, speed and up all night. It use to be just drinking till six in the morning and then going on doing roofing and all that, but now everyone’s at it.”
Maybe all those extra sweet teas aren’t getting the white powder we’re assuming then. I ask if drugs are still a regular occurrence in the band, to which Duffy cheekily smiles and says: “Moderation in moderation.” He then goes on to explain: “Us all having a family has made us more responsible. The rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle – you can only go so far with it and it becomes a bit boring really.”
Responsibility comes in the form of a younger generation. The band has seen several new additions to their own personal entourage. Enough to form a “Mini Scream” as Duffy puts it. His own outlook on life has been shaped by his five-year old son and deterred him from too many late nights. “If you go to the pub or go out and come back at six in the morning, you’ve still got to get up with the kids, you have to kind of calm down. You can’t be crossing roads when you’ve only had an hours sleep – it’s dangerous (laughs).”
One thing that is always dangerous is a dive into the radio friendly pop sound. Storming new single ‘Can’t Go Back’ shows obvious signs of a commercial direction and Duffy admits new album ‘Beautiful Future’ has many analogous moments. Talking of the record, Duffy explains: “We’re really happy with it, it’s a bit more pop but then it’s got a real Leftfield twist to it. There’s some anger in there but it’s sugar coated a little bit.”
The band took a trip to the former studio of Eurovision legends Abba to record some of the tracks on the album. Duffy describes the settings and how all the equipment was still set up in the same fashion as it was for the Swedish Popstars. “I played the Dancing Queen piano and they’ve still got the same vibes. Even the headphones and the microphones – all the equipment hadn’t changed since the 70s.”
One thing that has changed since then is the fact that the Eurovision Song Contest is a far from dignified competition. Political voting has been the subject of much of the controversy over recent years but the UK looked set for a possible return to form when Morrissey announced he would enter. Of course he let us down but Duffy has admitted he would love to shock everyone with an unexpected entry. “I wouldn’t put it past us. I know people have wanted to do it. It would be a challenge wouldn’t it (laughs).”
As the conversation intertwines between witty anecdotes and how great the Euro 2008 tournament has been I find the moment to ask about the situation with former guitarist Robert Young. Duffy puffs out a gust of air as he takes a moment to think of his friend. “He’s had a lot of problems – personal problems – and hasn’t been with us for a couple of years now, but you know he’s an old friend. If he sorts himself out and gets over that the door is open for him.”
A few faces who have made it through the door of the recording studio are Queens Of The Stoneage frontman Josh Homme, CSS’s Lovefoxxx and folk singer Linda Thompson – who all make appearances on the new album. Primal Scream have always welcomed guest appearances. Robert Plant, Glen Matlock and Kate Moss have all performed with the band and Duffy admits he has his eye on one more collaboration. “David Bowie would be good. Get him to play a bit of saxophone or something. Someone you wouldn’t expect. Someone to juxtapose on it.”
There’s nothing much more of a juxtaposition then bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield to… well just about anyone else. Duffy explains: “Mani – he’s kind of a one off. He kind of bounces off various things. I think we all compliment each other really well. We’ve had our moments on the road but we all seem to bounce off each other in the right angled bounce.
Duffy takes a final moment to reflect on an illustrious career that looks unlikely of pausing anytime soon. He contemplates some of the personal achievements and accolades his years have brought before picking his fondest. “The fact we’re still around, apart from the odd blip, we’re still alive and we’re still kicking. I think it’s all trying out new stuff, you know we’re not just repeating ourselves. I think that’s something to be proud of.” An admirable past looks likely to bring a beautiful future.
