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Interview
The Inspector Cluzo No man is a prophet in his own country. The band have played 280 concerts in 23 different countries since 2009. They have sold more than 20,000 copies of their first album. The single “The French Bastards” is often played on the Japanese radio station 802FM. Yet, it is actually a long way if you wanna find articles about this phenomena in the French musical press. I don’t think The Inspector Cluzo is another French Rock’s ugly duckling. I begin to believe that Philippe Manœuvre1 never takes off his sunglasses because he’s blind. Maybe the guy is deaf also ? Anyway ! I dare interview this incredible band ! Keep on rockin’ guys.
Extensive Investigation The 22nd Dour festival (Belgium) is for me the opportunity to meet these guys who shout high and loud « Fuck the bass player ». On stage, they mix loud-fast sound with tongue-in-check humour. So humour is still there to discover the albums that punctuated their musical career. Fuck the Bass Player ! Fuck Michael Jackson ! They only know one word : FUCK ! Here is the Fuck Brothers
Mathieu aka Phil [Drums/Voice] et Laurent aka Malcom [Voice/Guitar]
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Rock & Folk (French Musical Magazine) Managing Editor
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What is the first LP you have ever bought ? Laurent – Thriller by Michael Jackson. Mathieu – Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil.
Which artist motivated you setting up a band ? Laurent – Jimi Hendrix. We were living together with Mat when at university. He made me discover Zappa, I, Hendrix. We became fans. These two artists became the keystone of our musical culture. They made us, in their own ways, go on stage : Hendrix, because he revolutionised music. Just as Boham invented modern drums, Hendrix invented this way of playing electric Rock guitar, through an experimental approach, on saturation and effect pedals (Wha wha). He pushed the technical limits of his rhythmical playing so influenced by Soul music. Zappa, for his scenic and humoristic approach. Mathieu – And his sarcasm. One must sense it in our music !
What is your prefered album ? Laurent – Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers. With this album, the Red Hots managed to create the perfect synthesis between Hendrix and an extension of Funk music. This time, it wasn’t another redundancy, it was going a step further. It helped us know Funk music better, with artists such as James Brown or Curtiss Mayfield. All this thanks to the Red Hots. Mathieu – It is true that this album represents a common reference that influenced us a lot.
What is the last LP you bought ? Laurent – The original soundtrack from Sean Penn’s Into the Wild by Eddie Vedder. A wonderful album and a great movie. When I saw it for the first time, I told myself “Fuck, That’s Vedder singing”. I have been awaiting him to play solo for a long time. Just him, his voice and his guitar, without a band, just as Neil Young. This LP is such a great success. I believe that, solo, Vedder the older he will get, the better he will become ! Mathieu – I already knew this LP ! Broadway, the Hard Way by Zappa. Eventually, I bought it again !
What album did you buy for its jacket ? Laurent – Attack & Release by The Black Keys. A very nice watercolour style jacket. Mathieu – It is Dis bonjour à la dame2. I’ve never listened to it before. I bought it for the jacket ! Laurent – Hold on ! It’s an ass, right ? Mathieu – Right! It’s a glittering Bimbo ! (Laughter)
What LP would one be surprised to find in your record case ? Laurent – Jean-Jacques Goldman3’s live recording. I think it was my first concert. By this time, it was a very good French popular music. Now, I could not listen to it. In live it was very good, there was an approach, arrangements and a band of muso who were having fun together. Goldman had a laid back sense of humour. Mathieu – Faith by George Michael.
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Say Hello to the Lady French popular singer of the 80’s
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2010 is marked by the « deluxe » reissue of Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones. What does this album call up to you ? Laurent – Actually, it is not my favourite album. The Rolling Stones is the first band that really knew how to played with two guitars. In so far as the two guitarists are not playing the same line. They complement one another and spin together an amazing web. It is Keith Richard, more than Ron Wood, who has thought about it. He invented a way of playing rhythmical guitar, creating spaces and a sonic net. It sounds like they don’t really play but it is in the air as an impressionist touch. Exile on Main Street is their reference album, because it embodies the quintessence of this two-guitar system, that so many bands tried to reproduce later on, without ever succeeding in finding this alchemy.
If the Inspector Cluzo was a cocktail, what would the recipe be ? Mathieu – a Pina Colada to get off with chicks or a Calimucho because … Laurent – The Calimucho you got some red wine, mucho4, that corresponds to our Funk music, Roots and 70’s influences, then you add some Coke, so it’s the Red Hots. (Laughters)
Vincent GILOT aka Le Guise Interview done the 17th of july Dour Festival (Belgium)
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Much
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