"REVU MAGAZINE" INTERVIEW - MAY 2002 10 ROCK CLICHES ACCORDING TO LIVE...

ROCK CLICHE #1 - After a few albums, the ego of the singer "explodes"

Patrick: Hah, did you try to trick me? Ed is quite shy 'till you put a few beers in him. We have had a time where we thought we were the center of everything, that nothing could stop us. But luckily we realized quickly that we're not nearly as strong individually, as we are as a group. I ran into a lot of bad ego's. Last time at Pinkpop for example, I had words with the bass player of a band I won't call by name now, but you could spell the bands name "nrok" in reverse. He acted superior a few times before and I told him to behave. Of course he didn't listen. Maybe we didn't rock hard enough.

Chad G: I don't think Ed's ego is on a run, but he sure has become a leader for the band. We keep him modest.

ROCK CLICHE #2 - Every musician wants to be KISS bass player Gene Simmons: Hide behind a mask and fuck thousands of groupies

Patrick: Maybe in my fantasy world... but no, I would rather have people remind me of something else. Live has always been an honest and righteous band, such behavior doesn't fit to that. I don't think my wife and children would like it either, I mean, bring that home.

Chad G: Wow, I would like to have Gene Simmon's tongue... as a boy I liked his costumes more then what he did to groupies.

ROCK CLICHE #3 - Women poison a band

Patrick: Not yet, besides Chad G, we're all happily married dad's... no Yoko Ono's here. I love Ed's and Chad T's wife. As teenagers we dicided not to let anything spoil our friendships. Thank god we all found lovers who respect that. It makes it harder to leave home.

Chad G: We accepted all wifes, ex-wifes and children into the group. Above all, everybody understands the meaning of the band-marriage. No, I'm not jealous of the others and their families. I like touring better when I don't have to worry about those at home.

ROCK CLICHE #4 - The singer and guitar player are always in the center of the attention, that gives the rest of the band time to party

Patrick: Yup, totally true. Our show gives most attention to Chad T and Ed, which gives me and Chad G more time. But I don't like partying, I'd rather be alone. The tour schedule is chaotic, always people around you. When I get the chance I go for a walk or to a museum. When I'm in Amsterdam I'm at a coffeshop or greenhouse, so you know where to find me.

Chad G: Absolutely true. If we have to go to a press-party after a show we send Chad and Ed in first so everybody jumps on them and we can go to the busses when we want. I do like to party. About 3 years ago I got divorced and that gave me more freedom which I enjoy now.

ROCK CLICHE #5 - Once on stage, every man is irresistible

Patrick: Well, at the moment I weigh about 100 kg, I don't know how irresistible that is. I do understand the misunderstanding, people only see what happens on stage. They don't really know the musicians but see them the way they want to. I'm easy to resist I think.

Chad G: It does make strange powers blossom in woman. I don't understand it myself. Sometimes you have to cool people down: Easy... I'm just a normal boy. I see many famous people myself, but I never find them irresistible... I see through their fame.

ROCK CLICHE #6 - Money breaks the band

Patrick: Sure, this can happen. We had a tough time too, we were on the edge. We had a huge recording budget and started to take it into the studios. We worked way too long on our albums. That can really break it. Tension rises in the band. We split the money fairly between the band members. No bankrobbers with Live, we are raised well.

Chad G: There are numerous bands that survived success: U2, Stones, Aerosmith. We split pretty much everything by four.

ROCK CLICHE #7 - 50,000 people singing along to your songs is better than sex

Patrick: Never, those are 2 different things... the person that said that definately doesn't have good sex. 50.000 people who sing along is a very special energy, it makes me have goosebumps and warmth at the same time. It's weird to stand there and think about how you made that song in a studio. But sex… no!

Chad G: It is an incredible feeling ,it doesn't matter if 100 people sing along or thousands. Yes, it is better than sex. Sometimes I just sit there with tears in my eyes.

ROCK CLICHE #8 - Musicians think they can change the world

Patrick: I for one, don't. But we might be able to influence the thoughts of our fans a bit and we can do our share that way. I don't think music can change the world, but maybe an individual from time to time.

Chad G: We had that great idea when we started too. After some time we decided it was not feasible, but we could make people happy. That helps. When Throwing Copper was a success, I was 24, 25. I started to think what we were doing, as a rockband musican. 'Do I do something worthwhile?' Finally I decided that when you can make people happy, that's worthwhile for sure. Sometime someone says a song helped him through a rough period, like Overcome, which turned into a sort of anthem for the rescue workers in New York. That's great of course!

ROCK CLICHE #9 - After three albums a band has said everything there is to say

Patrick: We are no average band, we have more than enough to tell. We have to be aware of the time when we run out of stuff to say and have to stop, though. We discussed this. When we start to make crappy songs, we really have to quit and make room for the next generation. We hope to grow old in style.

Chad G: Right. The struggle in the beginning makes a band exciting. Then it starts to fade. U2 is an exception, their albums keep getting better. Luckily we have Ed. I have no clue where the lyrics he writes come from.

ROCK CLICHE #10 - Artists always complain about their hard lives, but they wouldn't make it through 1 day in a factory

Patrick: True. I complain about my job often towards my children and say: 'Daddy has to go to work again.' But actually it's barely physical effort. It isn't comparable to work at a factory. I didn't know what I would do if I had to work in a factory everyday.

Chad G: I won't complain. I have lot's of spare time now. I get up at 10:30 and go to the gym. No heavy life. No, this is a great job.