Interview with John Craven, February 1984.

It's been two and a half years since we last saw John Craven. Evan Paris is sent out to find him.

EP - Where've you been?
JC - Mm?
EP - We've not seen you since the start of 1982.
JC - I've been resting.
EP - Oh?
JC - I've written a few articles here and there.
EP - Have you?
JC - A few.
EP - Why haven't you been making music?
JC - I couldn't be arsed.
EP - Oh.
JC - I'm making music now though.
EP - Yes. That's why you're back is it?
JC - Yes. We're making an album.
EP - We being you and the Angels of Death.
JC - Yep.
EP - Steve Hillage with you?
JC - No. We've got all new Angels of Death. Apart from Maggie.
EP - Oh? What happened?
JC - The Seed split up. You probably know better than me.
EP - Yeah, everyone split since you left town.
JC - Apart from the Margarets.
EP - Yeah, well...
JC - Mm.
EP - And the Angels of Death.
JC - Of course. They've been doing rather well without me.
EP - Yes.
JC - Ha! And now I'm back to spoil it all for them. Serves them right.
EP - Yees. What's the plan?
JC - We're doing a new album.
EP - What's it about?
JC - It's not about owt. It's a covers album.
EP - What?
JC - It's all cover versions.
EP - I see. Why?
JC - I've been away. I've not written anything. The band's changed. So we're out of practice together. Seemed a good idea.
EP - What are you covering?
JC - Not telling you.
EP - Oh?
JC - You'll have to wait and see.
EP - Can't you tell me one of them at least?
JC - There's some Tiny Tim covers.
EP - Some?
JC - Quite a few actually.
EP - I don't suppose I can have my Tiny Tim album back now can I?
JC - Sorry. Yeah. Um. I thought I'd given it back already.
EP - No.
JC - It'll be, um... It's not lost.
EP - Good.
JC - It's just got assimilated into my record collection.
EP - I see. What else is in there at the moment?
JC - Well you'll see when this record of ours comes out.
EP - But other than the stuff you're covering?
JC - Last record I bought was Perverted by Language.
EP - I see. Did you enjoy it?
JC - It were ok. Beats Duran Duran.
EP - Where've you been living?
JC - Here and there. A few places. None for very long.
EP - You seem a bit depressed.
JC - Do I?
EP - Yes.
JC - I feel fine.
EP - Good.

<beat>

EP - Well is there anything you can tell me about the new album?
JC - Not really.
EP - Then why am I here?
JC - You arranged the interview.
EP - You don't want to tell us any more about what you've been up to for the last two years?
JC - I've not been up to much. Like I say, I did some writing.
EP - What sort of writing?
JC - Bits for magazines. Nothing much. It was handy for a couple of quid. Reviews and stuff. Your game.
EP - I thought I told you to keep off that sort of thing.
JC - Sorry.
EP - Never mind. If you think you're so good, you can help me out with reviews for some of your label-mates.
JC - Oh yeah?
EP - Yes.
JC - What you got?
EP - Helena's Box.
JC - What?
EP - Cookie Crumbs spin off outfit with Helena Jones in charge. Their debut single's out next week.
JC - You got a copy?
EP - In my bag.
JC - Put it on.
EP - Alright.
JC - What sort of thing are they doing?
EP - Kind of racy Cookie Crumbs, for the night-club culture.
JC - Ew. That switch there.
EP - Ahuh.

<record starts>

JC - What's it called?
EP - Three Babychams and I'm Yours.
JC - I see. Ok so far.
EP - It's not bad. Not really my kind of thing, but it seems competent enough.
JC - Beats Duran Duran.
EP - That makes it about as good as the Fall then?
JC - I wouldn't say that. It's very Cookie Crumbs.
EP - Yeah. But with a hint of Bananarama.
JC - Yees. I think you can turn it off now.
EP - Ok. Did you hear the Gorwel Edwards?
JC - No.
EP - Oh.
JC - Any good?
EP - Usual sort of thing. Not great.
JC - Last thing I heard from Clustcwyr were Petra and Polawski.
EP - What did you think?
JC - Impressed.
EP - Is there an album coming?
JC - No. At least not for a while. We're touring again after this album.
EP - I see. And are there plans to make a proper album at all?
JC - Let's get this out of the way first.
EP - Ok.

John Craven & the Angels of Death release their covers album in the spring.