INTERVIEW: SixNationState [The River Rat Pack Tour]

INTERVIEW: SixNationState

Posted on June 3, 2008 11:58 AM
1 comment

Interivew By Katie Spain

There's something about Gerry. You could forgive the SixNationState frontman for a short interview the morning after his explosive perfromance at the River Rat Pack Tour launch. When we left the guys, they were well oiled and heading forth into a night of barge celebations that'd take them through to the next day. But, in true Gerry form, he was up for a chat when we called him the morning after... and to be honest, we couldn't shut the talkative sod up!

In between narrating the view around him, Gerry enlightened us on the barge experience, the joys of toast, the magnitude of his hangover and foilage covered 'genitals'. Intrigued? To get the full extent of his verbal barrage, read it out loud at a 'quick as lightning' pace.

How do you think that last night went?

It was phenomenal. It was a bit of a manic day because I was left on my own by my horrible band. I had to do everything because they had all gone to weddings and whatever the night before. I woke up, and Ally our manager was like "You have got to do this and you have got to do that". I just wanted to lie in. I had to get up and do the food shopping for the day. It was a bit of a nightmare."

The gig was amazing because I knew so many people, but I had to spend lots of short bursts with lots of people. It was manic. I didn’t stop sweating. Yeah, it was amazing. Derek Meins was amazing. Everyone was. I went to see all of the bands. It was a really nice day. It was wicked to see that so many people turned up. I don’t think that they were casual punters either; it looked like everyone was there for the event which is phenomenal because it shows that it is working. Everyone was just feeling elated last night. Everyone was nervous about how it was going to go but it couldn’t have gone better. It was legendary man. It was nice to see so many people having it on a Sunday. It just couldn’t have gone better. We left at 11.30 and sailed through the night. We haven’t stopped yet. It was weird; I just basically got steadily more hammered. It was the most surreal experience being on a barge…seeing the sun get brighter…it’s so peaceful. There are no houses.

You want to go to the right a little bit... I am standing at the front of the barge. At some points, you have to do like nine locks in a row. Anyway, I got into the hot tub for a few hours.

I was going to ask you if you have given the hot tub a go. I know that one of the guys was saying that there are two boats and one of the boats is definitely the best by far.

Yeah, ours is a luxury barge; we have a massive widescreen and digital TV and big sofas. Actually, it hasn’t got sofas – that's a total lie. It just looks very spacious. I haven’t really been inside. I have just been standing on the roof, waving. It compels me to wave at people all the time.

Are they waving back?

Yeah, that’s the thing. Everyone seems so friendly by the barge. Between eight and nine o clock, everyone was going to work, and there were joggers – who, by the way, move faster that us. I was like, “Hi, good morning, where do you work?” They all seemed so happy. People aren’t normally happy on a Monday morning but it didn’t even come into play because I am on a barge having the time of my life.

At the moment we are verging totally on the left hand side. It’s wicked man, it is a very lethargic. It’s a magical experience.

Are you standing up on the deck?

I am at the front of the boat on the roof. There is an athletic guy, a couple of geese. All of last night, we spent debating killing a swan. I know that is treason and that I can get hanged for that. I think that it is worth the risk of doing it.

That is pretty Rock star behaviour. It would be beating Ozzy Osbourne.

The thing is, apparently, they fight back. I think they go for your arms. I wouldn’t know what to do. I might go for a duck, they look more defenceless.

Build your way up I reckon… duck, swan, ostrich…

Yeah, then we can kill a rhino.

Who else is on your boat?

We have all of my band and the crew on the barge. My best mate - we lived together for years - was the extra person that lived with us who was kind if in the band, but not in the band, if you know what I mean. He built this barge from scratch. We have a team of our friends just being the crew for us. It’s wicked. We have Beans On Toast too. Today is a bit of a travelling day to be honest with you. Once we arrive in Henley, everything is quite close. As it stands, London to Henley is quite a distance. It’s nice, it’s really peaceful. Yesterday, we could have solved the world’s problems. We kept talking about how this is a totally different world. It is totally detached from the normal world and life. Your time doesn’t really matter. You can go for a couple of hours sleep if you want and it doesn’t matter. It’s so tranquil. It’s brilliant.

This is my home for the next week, to be honest with you; it is probably my home for the summer because we are allowed to sleep here whenever.

Has there been a sighting of the mystery gypsy water woman yet?

No, none so far; we are thoroughly disappointed. We reckon that the London gypsy water woman doesn’t live in London. We think she is just outside London. Do you think that we will find her?

I am sure you are going to find her. You are going to come back a changed man after a week on a barge. You are going to want to get back to nature.

Yeah, I am going to walk around with a leaf over my penis.

What type of leaf are you going to need? … **Luckily, Gerry’s attention turns to the river.**

Oh, we have just come into a lock now. One of many locks, I did so many last night that I am just going to watch everyone else do them.

Who is doing all the cooking on the barge?

Well, basically, Alexi, our drummer, is a brilliant chef. We all are but I have eaten a lot of toast. We have this brilliant bread. The toaster cooks it perfectly. Even toast tastes better on a barge.

You should try a spot of fishing.

No, I wouldn’t eat anything from these rivers. Not quite yet. The further we get out, the cleaner the water.

I have just taken a walk off of the barge. I am standing on the verge.

I think you were on the verge last night too.

I think I was there when I saw you. We weren’t on till 10.30. I got quoted on NME too. I have never been quoted before.

It was a double quote as well.

I have never been quoted by them, I feel like I have made it now.

Lucky they didn’t use your drugs quote. Your mum wouldn’t approve.

Yeah, she goes looking on the sites. You have to be careful of what you say. Some of the lyrics, you are bearing your soul for people to see, especially your parents. It is a very weird thing, especially with things that you are not comfortable talking about to your parents. When they say, what’s that song about then? I’m like, hmm…I have to think of something on the spot to say to change its meaning. I go a bit shy.

Oh no, they’re leaving without me. I have got to get back on the barge….WAIT FOR ME. WAIT FOR ME.

Keep your eye on the blog - we'll chat to a different artist every day.

Comments (1)

Abi
Absolutely loved the launch on Sunday guys. I'm about to book at ticket all the way to Reading for a re-run. Miss out on it Reading locals and you're in need of a breain transplant. Better entertainment you will never find!!
Posted on June 4, 2008 12:59 PM