Brian May interview with Jaap Bubenik - from 'Muziek Expres' magazine, March 1981
Mar 7, 2023 9:16:57 GMT
leo82br, georg, and 5 more like this
Post by fabiogminero on Mar 7, 2023 9:16:57 GMT
Hi everyone.
Today I share with you a long interview with Brian May, published in the Dutch magazine Muziek Expres in March 1981; the interview, held by the Dutch journalist Jaap Bubenik (maybe in November 1980), deals with various topics including the new album 'Flash Gordon', Roger's solo album, the project of the 'Greatest Hits' compilation and the South American tour of 1981.
Below the scan of the entire interview (in Dutch) and my English translation; I have italicized and bolded the interviewer's questions to make the interview easier to read and understand.
Happy reading!
BRIAN MAY: 'You can best compare QUEEN with a football team'
Behind closed doors things between the Queen members are not as rosy as everyone thinks. This is evident from an in-depth interview that Jaap Bubenik had with star guitarist Brian May. "In fact, we don't get along very well at all." But he also explained why Queen will continue to be such a strong musical unit...
text: Jaap Bubenik
Behind closed doors things between the Queen members are not as rosy as everyone thinks. This is evident from an in-depth interview that Jaap Bubenik had with star guitarist Brian May. "In fact, we don't get along very well at all." But he also explained why Queen will continue to be such a strong musical unit...
text: Jaap Bubenik
photos: Laurens van Houten, Aad Spanjaard
Is there a big difference for you between composing for Queen and a movie, in this case "Flash Gordon"?
Yes, it was a completely different experience. Although in terms of musical input we of course referred to what we normally do with Queen. But now there was suddenly a fifth person in the studio, so not a Queen member, who help make decisions, that was Mike Hodges the director of "Flash Gordon". So you're actually making music for someone else. Commissioned. While you work for yourself otherwise. Commissioned by yourself. We were approached for the sim and we immediately liked the idea. Only we really wanted to see how it would turn out, so fimic. They then showed us some unfinished scenes and it all looked very interesting. That's all they had, so we read the script and then went into the studio. Basically to improvise on what we had seen and read. Strangely enough, most of this material was used later in the film.
The next shooting step came only when the film was ready. We then went to a studio where you can record synchronously with sound images. There we reinterpreted the material that had already been selected and also recorded a number of new compositions. I found the opriame series in particular to be the most interesting. Watching a tim while you are playing. And what you play must support the image. It only took us two and a half weeks in total. Which is indeed a very short period of time to record a complete album. When it was ready, we changed a few small things. The last song has been replaced in its entirety by another song.
I don't think there's ever been a movie score made by rock musicians for a movie that wasn't about rock music. Incidentally, the filmmakers were a bit afraid of the final result. They had thought that too much rock 'n' roll would be put in again, which they thought would scare a lot of people. We have made no concessions in that respect. Oh well and now everyone is happy with the end product...
Do you consider it a fully worthy Queen product?
It actually kind of resembles the old Queen sound. At least, 20 it came out. Do not you think? We think it sounds very relaxed ourselves. In the first instance, we started with the idea of adding musical power to the film images. But besides that, it has also become a real Queen product. We also played everything ourselves. I say that because some suggest the opposite.
More film music in the future?
The "Flash Gordon" project has certainly opened doors to new work in that area. When and what I don't know yet We have already had some interesting offers....
Offers because your name is Queen?
I don't actually think so. Many people in the film business have seen "Flash Gordon" and thought it was good. They judged us on the soundtrack. Whether they really thought about the fact that we are a very popular band, I strongly wonder. Especially since the film world and the rock 'n' roll world are two completely different worlds. Maybe they had heard the name Queen before. But most of us now only know us from "Flash Gordon" and that's a good sign...
What about mutual cooperation? There is still very individual composition in this way to see.
It's very simple. The collaboration it's fantastic. Still. The fact that there is a name with a song clearly has its causes. An idea still arises in one person. That one person is then called the composer. And lyrically, I don't think you can work together at all. But the elaboration of such a musical idea does indeed take place together. Of course they tried to write a song together, for example, but that never worked. I think we have too many different ideas for that. There is clearly a special contribution that you can hear in the songs. So when two were writing, they always had two separate end products in mind. So that never resulted in a song, but rather two half songs. So it came down to whoever had the biggest share taking the song home to single-handedly mark it off.
Does composing come easily to you or has it become a kind of routine? After all, you have to release a Queen album at least once a year...
That's right yes. Eh, actually I write songs very easily. I mean, the ideas for that come up very quickly. Usually I have an agreement or something that I then elaborate on. Expanding a song is not a problem for me, finishing it is. Make the decision: now it's done. That always remains a difficult decision. So no routine. It has still been the case until now that after finishing the LP recordings we were always physically and mentally broken. We take recording very seriously. Ourselves not so much.
Then you're done with one album and then you have to start thinking about the next album?
Normally yes, but now there is some peace. That is pure coincidence. It was about time for a "Greatest Hits" LP and those songs just need to be sorted out. So for now we'll stay out of the studio for a while. That never hurts.
What about that studio of yours in Montreux? The LP "The Game" was recorded in the Musicland Studios in Munich. If someone has his own studio, he also records there himself, right?
We bought the studio in Montreux, Switzerland, when we had already recorded four tracks from "The Game". Then it was decided to finish the entire LP in Munich, also because Montreux was fully booked. It is a financial investment that studio, but a very nice one because we can also record it ourselves. By the way, Roger is there right now to record his solo LP. I've heard a few tracks. It sounds brilliant.
'With us no one cares'
You're not making a solo album yet?
(laughs) No, but I've been very busy with "Flash Gordon". More than the other group members. I mean: that album also had to be put together as a soundtrack after the group had interfered. That is more or less my merit. I also re-dubbed some things for that. Then the other members of Queen were busy with other things. I don't think it's a soundtrack in the normal sense of the word either. Just like: slap film music on the record and you have the film music. I was very conscientious about that. Have tried to tell the story of "Flash Gordon" using dialogue and music. I believe that without having seen the film you can get a good idea of what the story is about if you listen to the record. So that's what I aimed for with that soundtrack.
But you would like to make a solo album?
Well, when the time is right then... Believe me, there has never really been time for it. But I'm not thrilled either, I must say...
You're especially happy with Queen?
Yes, especially, yes.
Queen is number one in America. How important is that for a group?
Very important. And woe to the one who says it's not important to him or her. It then lies as if it were printed. You always want to hear that you are doing well, don't you?
Could you say that Queen is now much more of a four-piece band because Roger and John have started to get involved in songwriting?
The share of the Queen members is much more equal than everyone thinks. Even when Roger and John barely composed. I believe Queen fans will realize that. No one cares about us. Decisions are made democratically and everyone has their own task. Usually that's what he feels most at home in. That goes for the compositions, that goes for the technical side. But songs technically it's Queen and not that one or that one. Although someone has written such a song.
Speaking of decisions. Do you jointly decide that very few interviews will be given?
Also yes. And that immediately has its reason. It's a tacit code that you shouldn't talk to the press too often. Too little publicity is bad, but so is too much. Personally, I don't want to talk too much with journalists because there is a chance that you will get duplicates. Telling the same things three times to three different journalists. Plus, it's damned tiring. We are also very busy of course. I can't help the fact that in England they think that Queen will make a record and do a tour and then go on holiday for a long time. There is hardly any time for vacation.
Do you see your Queen colleagues even when you're not working?
Oh yeah. uh. It's just not that often that we don't work. Occasionally we see each other in that little bit of free time, yes. Sometimes we go to look at groups.
You will never hear anyone about the disadvantages of being a pop star. Are they nevertheless there, right?
Yes, the biggest disadvantage is that you can't rely on your routine. People want to get into rock 'n' roll because it's not a nine-to-five job and it involves a lot of freedom. But it is not like that. Because you have a 24-hour job and no more freedom. Actually fouring is the easiest part of being a musician. That's kind of routine then. But other than that, it's work until you drop. Until your health is affected. And especially during recording periods. So that's another drawback. It is not a healthy life if you make it healthy yourself.
What keeps you going as a band?
You mean: what do we still want to achieve or something?
You have already achieved everything.
Yes. Yes. Eight years ago it was a dream and now it's here. OK, that's true. So you don't do it anymore. Now there is something different. You want to maintain success. It's all about survival now. And also getting bigger. By playing for even more people.
Do you survive by keeping touring?
Yes absolutely. I believe that our greatest strength still lies in playing our music live. If you stop doing that then... yes then there won't be much enthusiasm left to be another group. Then you get a kind of Beatle situation. Being a group and yet not. Look, we see each other very often, but that doesn't mean we get along so well. That is not the case. It's a musical marriage. Compare it to a football team. It is a unity in the locker room, during training and on the field. Everyone craves the same performance. Performance keeps us together. That's why we remain one unit. Not because we really like each other. Mutual irregularities disappear through that performance. Achievement is what keeps us together. Because we know very well that we are a lot better as a band than individually. You also survive because your audience remains loyal to you. Through thick and thin indeed. One is loyal enough to understand that looking for new ways means not being routine. That's why I'm having such a hard time with the music scene in England. Everything is trendy, must be trendy. It has often been said, but anything that does not appeal to the current trend is out of the question. I find that pernicious. It seems very annoying to have to be a starting group these days. Because just imagine making music that just happens to be not that trendy. Then you enter the boat. When it comes to daf, we had it easier when we started.
Didn't you also survive by incorporating many of those pernicious trends into your music?
Of course we will not admit such a thing easily. In principle, we mainly listen to each other and not to other musicians. Only Roger is an outsider. It's in the middle and on top. He goes to many concerts. He can, so to speak, predict what will break through and what will flop.
What about yourself?
I'm more like: listening to music that allows me, as a Queen musician, to do something for Queen. I often turn other people's music into ideas for Queen. But if there are any trendy influences, they must have come from Roger.
'People should not criticize anything so quickly'
Does that survive possible that you still do your work well?
Yes absolutely. That is also your satisfaction. You believe in what you can do and in what you do. If people continue to like that, then we are doing our job good. Look, I don't really care what people say. As long as I believe in my own integrity. If that weren't more credible than... then... Everything we've done has started out of some kind of fight. In the past, the press was against us and we had to prove it on our own. That belief in your own abilities came in handy then. That has always been the case. I had trouble with the press then and I still do now. One man finishes a group. There's something dangerous about that, actually. I think people shouldn't be so quick to criticize something. There is room for everything and everyone.
Is pop journalism still relevant?
ZCertainly, if there is only objective background information.
That is why I think the European pop press is better. They give that. What does it interest me what someone thinks of a certain group. I don't have to read that.
Something very different. You have your own sound, "conceived" by making from your guitar, huh?
That was pure coincidence. I got an acoustic guitar that I started tinkering with. Then I amplified it through a certain element through the radio and that's how that typical sound came about. Coincidentally so. After that guitar I had another one with the same sound and I still play with it.
"We're going to try it now" in South America
You're not afraid to lose that sound?
You mean by losing the guitar? Well no. But I had a copy made…
Are you happy that Freddie is now also playing a little guitar on stage?
Well and or, because at least now I'm not the only one. Now I can improvise a bit more. Unfortunately, Freddie doesn't play guitar for the entire set. It must be a nice life for a solo guitarist to have a regular rhythm guitarist next to him...
It could. Just hire a new Queen member.
We've often talked about bringing someone in. But there were too many votes against. After so many years of being a close-knit group, how are you supposed to include an outsider in a group? Encouraging him to play your repertoire? Become a Queen member? I think we're not that flexible anymore, actually.
Last year there was a lot to do about Queen and the use of tapes during the performance. True or False?
Definitely not true. We already use a borrow tape for the intro of the show and a tape for the middle part of "Bohemian Rhapsody", but then we won't be on stage either. Everyone can see that we're not playing. But otherwise we don't use tapes. And of course we can't ignore "Bohemian Rhapsody". Not even live. But the middle part of that song just can't be played live. That is impossible.
What's on the agenda for the near future?
South America. A totally new terrain. This in the context of world conquest. Ha, ha. We just go there and kill 'em. The demand for us there is incredible. Rock 'n' roll is actually quite new for countries like Brazil and Argentina. We've sold a lot of records there recently, so it was about time we also to go there. We will play in stadiums in front of fifty and a hundred thousand people. We have never done anything like this before.
Is there a big difference for you between composing for Queen and a movie, in this case "Flash Gordon"?
Yes, it was a completely different experience. Although in terms of musical input we of course referred to what we normally do with Queen. But now there was suddenly a fifth person in the studio, so not a Queen member, who help make decisions, that was Mike Hodges the director of "Flash Gordon". So you're actually making music for someone else. Commissioned. While you work for yourself otherwise. Commissioned by yourself. We were approached for the sim and we immediately liked the idea. Only we really wanted to see how it would turn out, so fimic. They then showed us some unfinished scenes and it all looked very interesting. That's all they had, so we read the script and then went into the studio. Basically to improvise on what we had seen and read. Strangely enough, most of this material was used later in the film.
The next shooting step came only when the film was ready. We then went to a studio where you can record synchronously with sound images. There we reinterpreted the material that had already been selected and also recorded a number of new compositions. I found the opriame series in particular to be the most interesting. Watching a tim while you are playing. And what you play must support the image. It only took us two and a half weeks in total. Which is indeed a very short period of time to record a complete album. When it was ready, we changed a few small things. The last song has been replaced in its entirety by another song.
I don't think there's ever been a movie score made by rock musicians for a movie that wasn't about rock music. Incidentally, the filmmakers were a bit afraid of the final result. They had thought that too much rock 'n' roll would be put in again, which they thought would scare a lot of people. We have made no concessions in that respect. Oh well and now everyone is happy with the end product...
Do you consider it a fully worthy Queen product?
It actually kind of resembles the old Queen sound. At least, 20 it came out. Do not you think? We think it sounds very relaxed ourselves. In the first instance, we started with the idea of adding musical power to the film images. But besides that, it has also become a real Queen product. We also played everything ourselves. I say that because some suggest the opposite.
More film music in the future?
The "Flash Gordon" project has certainly opened doors to new work in that area. When and what I don't know yet We have already had some interesting offers....
Offers because your name is Queen?
I don't actually think so. Many people in the film business have seen "Flash Gordon" and thought it was good. They judged us on the soundtrack. Whether they really thought about the fact that we are a very popular band, I strongly wonder. Especially since the film world and the rock 'n' roll world are two completely different worlds. Maybe they had heard the name Queen before. But most of us now only know us from "Flash Gordon" and that's a good sign...
What about mutual cooperation? There is still very individual composition in this way to see.
It's very simple. The collaboration it's fantastic. Still. The fact that there is a name with a song clearly has its causes. An idea still arises in one person. That one person is then called the composer. And lyrically, I don't think you can work together at all. But the elaboration of such a musical idea does indeed take place together. Of course they tried to write a song together, for example, but that never worked. I think we have too many different ideas for that. There is clearly a special contribution that you can hear in the songs. So when two were writing, they always had two separate end products in mind. So that never resulted in a song, but rather two half songs. So it came down to whoever had the biggest share taking the song home to single-handedly mark it off.
Does composing come easily to you or has it become a kind of routine? After all, you have to release a Queen album at least once a year...
That's right yes. Eh, actually I write songs very easily. I mean, the ideas for that come up very quickly. Usually I have an agreement or something that I then elaborate on. Expanding a song is not a problem for me, finishing it is. Make the decision: now it's done. That always remains a difficult decision. So no routine. It has still been the case until now that after finishing the LP recordings we were always physically and mentally broken. We take recording very seriously. Ourselves not so much.
Then you're done with one album and then you have to start thinking about the next album?
Normally yes, but now there is some peace. That is pure coincidence. It was about time for a "Greatest Hits" LP and those songs just need to be sorted out. So for now we'll stay out of the studio for a while. That never hurts.
What about that studio of yours in Montreux? The LP "The Game" was recorded in the Musicland Studios in Munich. If someone has his own studio, he also records there himself, right?
We bought the studio in Montreux, Switzerland, when we had already recorded four tracks from "The Game". Then it was decided to finish the entire LP in Munich, also because Montreux was fully booked. It is a financial investment that studio, but a very nice one because we can also record it ourselves. By the way, Roger is there right now to record his solo LP. I've heard a few tracks. It sounds brilliant.
'With us no one cares'
You're not making a solo album yet?
(laughs) No, but I've been very busy with "Flash Gordon". More than the other group members. I mean: that album also had to be put together as a soundtrack after the group had interfered. That is more or less my merit. I also re-dubbed some things for that. Then the other members of Queen were busy with other things. I don't think it's a soundtrack in the normal sense of the word either. Just like: slap film music on the record and you have the film music. I was very conscientious about that. Have tried to tell the story of "Flash Gordon" using dialogue and music. I believe that without having seen the film you can get a good idea of what the story is about if you listen to the record. So that's what I aimed for with that soundtrack.
But you would like to make a solo album?
Well, when the time is right then... Believe me, there has never really been time for it. But I'm not thrilled either, I must say...
You're especially happy with Queen?
Yes, especially, yes.
Queen is number one in America. How important is that for a group?
Very important. And woe to the one who says it's not important to him or her. It then lies as if it were printed. You always want to hear that you are doing well, don't you?
Could you say that Queen is now much more of a four-piece band because Roger and John have started to get involved in songwriting?
The share of the Queen members is much more equal than everyone thinks. Even when Roger and John barely composed. I believe Queen fans will realize that. No one cares about us. Decisions are made democratically and everyone has their own task. Usually that's what he feels most at home in. That goes for the compositions, that goes for the technical side. But songs technically it's Queen and not that one or that one. Although someone has written such a song.
Speaking of decisions. Do you jointly decide that very few interviews will be given?
Also yes. And that immediately has its reason. It's a tacit code that you shouldn't talk to the press too often. Too little publicity is bad, but so is too much. Personally, I don't want to talk too much with journalists because there is a chance that you will get duplicates. Telling the same things three times to three different journalists. Plus, it's damned tiring. We are also very busy of course. I can't help the fact that in England they think that Queen will make a record and do a tour and then go on holiday for a long time. There is hardly any time for vacation.
Do you see your Queen colleagues even when you're not working?
Oh yeah. uh. It's just not that often that we don't work. Occasionally we see each other in that little bit of free time, yes. Sometimes we go to look at groups.
You will never hear anyone about the disadvantages of being a pop star. Are they nevertheless there, right?
Yes, the biggest disadvantage is that you can't rely on your routine. People want to get into rock 'n' roll because it's not a nine-to-five job and it involves a lot of freedom. But it is not like that. Because you have a 24-hour job and no more freedom. Actually fouring is the easiest part of being a musician. That's kind of routine then. But other than that, it's work until you drop. Until your health is affected. And especially during recording periods. So that's another drawback. It is not a healthy life if you make it healthy yourself.
What keeps you going as a band?
You mean: what do we still want to achieve or something?
You have already achieved everything.
Yes. Yes. Eight years ago it was a dream and now it's here. OK, that's true. So you don't do it anymore. Now there is something different. You want to maintain success. It's all about survival now. And also getting bigger. By playing for even more people.
Do you survive by keeping touring?
Yes absolutely. I believe that our greatest strength still lies in playing our music live. If you stop doing that then... yes then there won't be much enthusiasm left to be another group. Then you get a kind of Beatle situation. Being a group and yet not. Look, we see each other very often, but that doesn't mean we get along so well. That is not the case. It's a musical marriage. Compare it to a football team. It is a unity in the locker room, during training and on the field. Everyone craves the same performance. Performance keeps us together. That's why we remain one unit. Not because we really like each other. Mutual irregularities disappear through that performance. Achievement is what keeps us together. Because we know very well that we are a lot better as a band than individually. You also survive because your audience remains loyal to you. Through thick and thin indeed. One is loyal enough to understand that looking for new ways means not being routine. That's why I'm having such a hard time with the music scene in England. Everything is trendy, must be trendy. It has often been said, but anything that does not appeal to the current trend is out of the question. I find that pernicious. It seems very annoying to have to be a starting group these days. Because just imagine making music that just happens to be not that trendy. Then you enter the boat. When it comes to daf, we had it easier when we started.
Didn't you also survive by incorporating many of those pernicious trends into your music?
Of course we will not admit such a thing easily. In principle, we mainly listen to each other and not to other musicians. Only Roger is an outsider. It's in the middle and on top. He goes to many concerts. He can, so to speak, predict what will break through and what will flop.
What about yourself?
I'm more like: listening to music that allows me, as a Queen musician, to do something for Queen. I often turn other people's music into ideas for Queen. But if there are any trendy influences, they must have come from Roger.
'People should not criticize anything so quickly'
Does that survive possible that you still do your work well?
Yes absolutely. That is also your satisfaction. You believe in what you can do and in what you do. If people continue to like that, then we are doing our job good. Look, I don't really care what people say. As long as I believe in my own integrity. If that weren't more credible than... then... Everything we've done has started out of some kind of fight. In the past, the press was against us and we had to prove it on our own. That belief in your own abilities came in handy then. That has always been the case. I had trouble with the press then and I still do now. One man finishes a group. There's something dangerous about that, actually. I think people shouldn't be so quick to criticize something. There is room for everything and everyone.
Is pop journalism still relevant?
ZCertainly, if there is only objective background information.
That is why I think the European pop press is better. They give that. What does it interest me what someone thinks of a certain group. I don't have to read that.
Something very different. You have your own sound, "conceived" by making from your guitar, huh?
That was pure coincidence. I got an acoustic guitar that I started tinkering with. Then I amplified it through a certain element through the radio and that's how that typical sound came about. Coincidentally so. After that guitar I had another one with the same sound and I still play with it.
"We're going to try it now" in South America
You're not afraid to lose that sound?
You mean by losing the guitar? Well no. But I had a copy made…
Are you happy that Freddie is now also playing a little guitar on stage?
Well and or, because at least now I'm not the only one. Now I can improvise a bit more. Unfortunately, Freddie doesn't play guitar for the entire set. It must be a nice life for a solo guitarist to have a regular rhythm guitarist next to him...
It could. Just hire a new Queen member.
We've often talked about bringing someone in. But there were too many votes against. After so many years of being a close-knit group, how are you supposed to include an outsider in a group? Encouraging him to play your repertoire? Become a Queen member? I think we're not that flexible anymore, actually.
Last year there was a lot to do about Queen and the use of tapes during the performance. True or False?
Definitely not true. We already use a borrow tape for the intro of the show and a tape for the middle part of "Bohemian Rhapsody", but then we won't be on stage either. Everyone can see that we're not playing. But otherwise we don't use tapes. And of course we can't ignore "Bohemian Rhapsody". Not even live. But the middle part of that song just can't be played live. That is impossible.
What's on the agenda for the near future?
South America. A totally new terrain. This in the context of world conquest. Ha, ha. We just go there and kill 'em. The demand for us there is incredible. Rock 'n' roll is actually quite new for countries like Brazil and Argentina. We've sold a lot of records there recently, so it was about time we also to go there. We will play in stadiums in front of fifty and a hundred thousand people. We have never done anything like this before.