FirstWord TOM SMITH
Editors frontman Tom Smith discusses cramped tubes, Chris Rea and getting ‘papped’ with girlfriend Edith Bowman
First record you ever bought The Best of Status Quo. First film you saw that really moved you The Empire Strikes Back or that one where Macaulay Culkin gets killed by wasps or bees.
at home. I’d say it’s the only thing I am good at in the kitchen – simple steak cooked well with nice veg. My timings are impeccable; my broccoli will never be soggy.
Last extravagant purchase you made A Paul Smith jacket. First crush My dad took me to Highbury to see Arsenal play when I was eight-ish. I remember being terrified getting back onto the tube after the game – very squashed.
Last lie you told No idea. I’m full of shit. I lie all the time so as not to upset people. Last book you read American Rust by Philipp Meyer.
First movie you ever went on a date to To this day I’m not sure if I’ve ever been on a ‘date’ – I’m not American. That’s another lie, I just can’t remember. Last time you cried Forrest Gump gets me every time. When we were making our second record we all sat around and watched it one night – there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. We were in the middle of a six- week stint in the middle of Nowhereville, Ireland, all feeling a little isolated and, shall we say, emotionally vulnerable? Anyway, Gump was on again last night, and although there were no actual tears this time, I did feel an emotional twinge.
First thing you do when you’ve got time off work Go home and be with family. Last great meal you cooked I always seem to cook the steak dinners
First great piece of advice you were given ‘Don’t let the bastards get you down.’ My dad told me that many times. I know he didn’t pen it, but still . . .
Last time you were star struck Damon Albarn at a Bluetones gig in Gloucester in 1996 (I think). That was the one and only time I can remember being properly star struck – a shaking school child I was. First thing you’d do if you ran the country Get rid of the armed forces; my country would have no armies, bombs, war ships, soldiers of any kind. The money we’d save would be spent on schools and healthcare. Bit idealistic? That or blow the shit out of the fucking internet.
from the best restaurant in the world, that one in Spain. First song you’ll sing at karaoke Just no.
Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it That expensive jacket. Looks good on but it goes a weird shape when I’m playing guitar with it on. Bugger.
Last time you exploited your position to get something Gig tickets. Over and over again. First time you realised you were famous Staring down the barrel of some dickhead’s camera lens whilst being ‘papped’ out shopping. But that’s more to do with my other half, let’s be honest.
First concert you ever attended Chris Rea, Birmingham NEC. First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning Just 20 more minutes, please.
Last thing you think of before you go to sleep Answers to daft questions.
Last meal on earth – what would it be? Something very expensive and long- winded. The 25-course taster menu Last time someone criticised your work Around the release of the last record. Reviews are never uniformly positive.
■ Editors support Snow Patrol at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow with Band of Horses and Frightened Rabbit, Sat 12 Jun. See preview, page 68.
WeLike The things making our world just that little bit better
■ We like it when Scottish weather cooperates. We love it when it doesn’t piddle down on May weddings, and the sun willingly puts his hat on over a bank holiday weekend. If the climate wants
to get a little torrential during the midweek days – when we’re in the office, that is, or
revising/ jobseeking/waiting in on the Virgin Media man, well
with that, we will cope. Now fully in
summer mode (but with umbrella and extra knitwear in our bags – JIC), we enjoyed looking at celebs on their holidays. No, not those naff papp shots of Coleen in a sarong, but Rolling Stone’s collection of vintage photos of Debbie Harry, Mick Jagger (pictured), The Beatles,
The Beastie Boys et al on the beach (www.rolling stone.com). Just look at those rockstar ribs.
As for what’s on the summer menu, when will the UK catch up on the Spanish trend (as enjoyed by some at Primavera recently) of a civilised breakfast beer? A cold glass of Damm Lemon (or a shandy to the Brits) really does give the humble espresso a run for its money.
2 THE LIST 10–24 Jun 2010