A Strange Meeting with a Little Blue Man
By Clive Matthews, Music Correspondent
8 June 2012
8 June 2012
I recently had the chance to meet Narge Silvers of England's own, the Little Blue Men. It was a chance meeting, a coincidence, really. I'd just dropped off another sure-to-be award winning article to my editor and decided to hit Weezy's Pub to celebrate. Four whiskey sours later and who should I notice in the corner, drinking alone, but one half of one of England's most underrated songwriting duos, Mr. Narge Silvers.
We chatted for a good while and I must say, as per usual, I was able to gain unique insight into my interview subject, a perspective few other journalists could ever hope to come close to replicating.
I asked about the upcoming MBE ceremony, of course, and Silvers was surprisingly mum on the subject, offering only this cryptic response: "We live for moments in this life, don't we? And to that end I will tell you that a cricket match is no place for mindless wanking, is it?"
On the status of the new LBM record, Silvers confirmed that there will be 12-13 original songs, produced by the band itself. Longtime sound engineer, Puppy Shipshank, will return, to the surprise of no one. The band actually considered covering a Charlie Daniels Band song, but were torn as to which one would be the most recognisable.
The impromptu interview seemed to be going smashingly until yours truly broached a touchy subject with the enigmatic frontman. I innocently asked if Mr. Silvers felt slighted that Sir Paul McCartney was asked to close the opening ceremonies at the upcoming London Olympics and the Blue Men weren't. Silvers grew immediately agitated and muttered what sounded like, "Bollocks," under his breath. I begged his pardon and he said, "You heard me."
I informed the singer that, indeed, I had not heard him. A three minute argument ensued over whether I had heard him or not. Finally agreeing to disagree, Silvers commented on the Olympics slight. "Coming up...like a flower," he said, then did a very credible "spaceship/ray-gun" sound.
Silvers' attitude should come as little surprise. As all the UK knows, Silvers has never been a fan of Sir Paul. Uninvited, he secretly stood in the back of Saint Celia's and smiled knowingly as Paul wed the one-legged minesweeper.
Let's just say Narge was curt and just a wee bit surly.
We chatted for a good while and I must say, as per usual, I was able to gain unique insight into my interview subject, a perspective few other journalists could ever hope to come close to replicating.
I asked about the upcoming MBE ceremony, of course, and Silvers was surprisingly mum on the subject, offering only this cryptic response: "We live for moments in this life, don't we? And to that end I will tell you that a cricket match is no place for mindless wanking, is it?"
On the status of the new LBM record, Silvers confirmed that there will be 12-13 original songs, produced by the band itself. Longtime sound engineer, Puppy Shipshank, will return, to the surprise of no one. The band actually considered covering a Charlie Daniels Band song, but were torn as to which one would be the most recognisable.
The impromptu interview seemed to be going smashingly until yours truly broached a touchy subject with the enigmatic frontman. I innocently asked if Mr. Silvers felt slighted that Sir Paul McCartney was asked to close the opening ceremonies at the upcoming London Olympics and the Blue Men weren't. Silvers grew immediately agitated and muttered what sounded like, "Bollocks," under his breath. I begged his pardon and he said, "You heard me."
I informed the singer that, indeed, I had not heard him. A three minute argument ensued over whether I had heard him or not. Finally agreeing to disagree, Silvers commented on the Olympics slight. "Coming up...like a flower," he said, then did a very credible "spaceship/ray-gun" sound.
Silvers' attitude should come as little surprise. As all the UK knows, Silvers has never been a fan of Sir Paul. Uninvited, he secretly stood in the back of Saint Celia's and smiled knowingly as Paul wed the one-legged minesweeper.
Let's just say Narge was curt and just a wee bit surly.
Copyright 2012, The London Underground