Interview from freeserve

How does the Internet feature in your plans?



R: It is definitely important to us. W: We've always been aware that it is a pretty important part of it all. D: I'm really interested in the whole web-cam thing, particularly the idea of keeping a diary while we are on tour and putting it up on our website.

You are supporting Bon Jovi. Are they a band you would ordinarily listen to, have you got any of their CDs?



Julian: I think I've got 'Slippery When Wet' knocking about at home. R: The thing with a band like that is that they've got like two and a half hours of hits, it's hard not to find something that you like. J: It is the same with Bon Jovi as it is with Robbie Williams. All: They are all entertainers. D: Musically you just can't believe it, we just stand there and swoon. It makes you think, forget that, we may as well not bother.



What about Bon Jovi. Is he a good bloke?



All: We haven't really met him. R: We've met the rest of the band but not him. J: He's a good bloke for the fact that he asked us to go on tour with him. That's all we need to know. W: I think we will end up meeting him at some point.



Wembley. I almost forgot. You're going to be the last British band to play there. What do you think of that?



D: Yeah and I'm going to be the last guitarist to ever strum a cord there. I'm going to beat you boys to it. All: (Making noises like they are competing to play the last cord at Wembley and giggling loudly!) (More serious) No it's enough we are all going to be there. J: I tell you what though, I've got the delay pedal on the last note so I'm going to be the last person playing. So I'm definitely the last, I'm going to turn it up full. All: (Falling about laughing...)



What about your musical influences?



R: As a band early 70's music. As for contemporary stuff we are all different and that's what makes us what we are. D: I think it's fair to say all our families listened to pretty decent music, lots of people's parents don't really listen to music. My dad used to make me sit in the middle of two speakers and listen to 'Stairway to Heaven.' I had to appreciate it in perfect stereo. I'd be like 6,7,8 years old thinking "I don't want to listen to this rubbish."



How do you feel about having Jamie Oliver as a fan? He often has 'Dancing in the Moonlight' playing in his kitchen in 'The Naked Chef.'



W: A girl I know works in this restaurant called Monte's which is a restaurant he's just taken over. I went in there the other day and had a drink and she said it's a real shame Jamie wasn't there because he's a real fan. R: Yeah, he can cook for us anytime.



How important is commercial success?



R: If you want people to listen to your music it's very important. D: It is important and you have to accept that. People who don't struggle for years and years and we aren't prepared to do that. We signed with Sony and are glad we did for this reason. J: There was a time when you could go along quite happily and do one or two albums over a long period of time, now if you do that you'll literally be dropped.



If you could sum up Toploader's philosophy in one sentence what would it be?



To entertain with classic rock and roll.



The album's name (Onka's Big Moka) came from a Tribesman called Onka who became a big man for giving away all his stuff. When you are satisfied you have made it who would you give all your fame and wealth to, and why?



D: Cancer, AIDS, incurable diseases, stuff like that. R: Third World stuff probably. J: Poverty is one thing, illness is another and they both need to be dealt with. R: Also to music venues around the country. There was a time when there were plenty, but not anymore. They are a dying breed, we need a co-operative forming or something.

Carl Knibbs

www.freeserve.com