Many here are saying this is the best MES interview they've ever heard. Yes, it is great. The reason for that is obviously due to the interviewer. MES knew the interviewer was genuine so Smith was all in. And, yes, I know who the interviewer is -- it is Tim Sommer and this is from New York University's radio station. Tim Sommer was a fantastic DJ. He played the greatest music and his interview show was must listen. I don't know where you can find it, but his interview with The Violent Femmes was absolutely fantastic. Informative and funny as hell. It's from nearly 40 years ago and I still remember it, that's how great it was. Glad to see that people here are enjoying the fantastic work of Tim Sommer. He loved music and it shows in all he did. (He was a massive Chameleons fan, I do recall.)
I met and had a brief conversation with M.E.S at a signing of their then new album, The infotainment scam .I asked him about the inspiration behind "Wings", wondering if Gabriel Garcia Marquez's " a very old man with enormous wings"(which has an almost identical tale to tell), was an influence.He said no, it was just a sci-fi thing.I found him smart and interesting, and I wish I had the nerve to talk to him a while longer!
Ooh, Timmy Sommer! He used to write the America Underground column in Trouser Press and hosted Noise The Show on WNYU Radio. I like how Mark said he was tired of just playing England because it was too "safe" to play where The Fall remain popular. I hope Mark brings The Fall back to NYC someday soon. We miss them here.
I wish I had a medal to give you lol. My friends don't care for my taste in music, but I love: The Fall, Joy Division, Durutti Column, Wire, The Smiths, etc..... anyhow, i'm rambling.... nice catch on that! 2 pts lol
I wonder what happened to all his writings and notebooks after his death? If he'd been an author of a similar standing it would have ended up in a library or archive.
Mark was a unique guy. Fall fans, i created a video to go with their song No Bulbs, its in my recent uploads Septemeber 2018, or simply just type in The Fall No Bulbs and youll see it there under my username.
Mark sounds so posh in this interview. What was the 100 word Christmas message he wrote for the NME, mentioned at 22:24 as the best thing ever written?
I honestly don't know, maybe I stumled upon it at some point of my 'Fall research' but wasn't paying attention..but I can bet it can be found on some of the Fall-related groups on Facebook, probably scanned ..if I find it I'll let you know :)
I love how he always sounded like he had false teeth, even before he did. One of the last times I saw the Fall his dentures wouldn't stay in and he sang half the set crouched behind the drum kit.
