Andy Kerr

interview by Sharapov and Zhenja.
The answers were sent on June 30 1998.

For how long did you play in NoMeansNo?

For approximately 9 years, between December 82 and December 91

How big was your ("3rd wheel") input to the whole band's thing?

Rob wrote the basis for about two thirds of the songs and John and I split the other third. But as far as musical arrangements went, really the basis for Nomeansno's sound, it was an equal partnership. It was no one person's band and that suited us just fine.

What are your current attentions with John and Rob?

I keep in touch now and then.

What does the name Hissanol mean?

Hissanol is an absurd name inspired by two things. One, there was a nasal decongestant is the seventies called "Hismanol" (I think). Two, our recordings were never meant to be high tech sonic masterpieces. People would just have to enjoy then in all their lo-fi glory, tape hiss and all. See?

When was the last time that you've met Scott in person?

Scott was over here in Europe last autumn playing bass with the Show Business Giants. I got to spend time with him and all the other guys in the band and even managed to help out on a couple of shows which was really fun!

What's the postal system that you use?

Just the basic national postal systems of the Netherlands and of Canada.

How much time and how much money did take/cost your (Hissanol) records?

That's hard to figure out. Just tape costs, basic postal rates and , most expensive, long distance phone calls. We were really lucky as far as mastering our record went because a good friend of Scott, Mark Franklin, did as a favour for us which was terrific.

What are the quantities in which they are sold?

Another tough one. 4th And Back sold about 1500 copies I think. The new one...I just don't know yet. Not too bad considering we never play live or tour!

One song on "4th & back" (Shortcut, maybe) seems to be a parody on Nitzer Ebb, is that so?

I can honestly say I've never heard a single note played by Nitzer Ebb. Sorry to disappoint you.

Does it happen that either you dislike what Scott has done or he hates what you've recorded in A-dam? How many times do you re-write the track in such cases?

The best questions. So far we've never hated anything that we've sent each other. It's more a case of not finding the inspiration to add anything that works or feels right. We may rewrite a track a couple of times to get it right but often we will just leave it.

What are your other musical activities (in Amsterdamn)? Do you play live?

For a while I was playing in a three piece beat combo cabaret country blues tap dancing vegetable bondage act called She Bang. But I stopped with that earlier this year to concentrate more on my own music. I do have a couple of small shows coming up with old pal, NMN guitarist and Show Business Giant extrordinaire, Tom Holliston, as an acoustic duo, while he's here on vacation in a couple of weeks time.

How could you describe your second album to a person who haven't heard it (like me)?

I haven't a clue.

How soon is the new album should be expected? Is it going to be on AT again?

Sometime next year. We hope to contnue with AT, providing they'll have us!

news | articles | interviews | linkz | KNIVES&FORKS

web-mastered by Daniel Lourie