Playground chants, old-school hip-hop, indie rock, off-the-wall samples: it all comes together in the unpredictable and gloriously fun music of London-based The Go! Team. mtvU’s Hot Seat recently corned founder Ian Parton for some insight on Esperanto, clog-wearing rock stars and the importance of traveling light.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: We went and met the cast from The Simpsons, we had about 20 kids invade the stage in a Chicago festival, we had Mike Watt from the Minutemen join us on stage in Melbourne, our singer Ninja collared Snoop f***ing Doggy Dogg…
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: Body Language or Esperanto. Esperanto was a new language they tried to get off the ground which everyone could speak and it totally failed. Nice idea, though. I’d like to be fluent in body language.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: I still dig NYC. I had an obsession with it when I was younger – it’s all my favourite things rolled into one – Woody Allen, Sonic Youth, early hip-hop, Sesame Street…
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: I don’t think i’ve ever been given any advice. I remember my headmaster in school telling us, “Enthusiasm is like a bribe,” which I think is true.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: Deerhoof and David Axelrod
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to?
A: I have the Six Feet Under DVD’s of the first three series and it’s pretty stunning. It doesn’t try too hard. It feels like the characters have a life of their own and the program just makes itself.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw and how was it?
A: It was either The Stranglers or Simple Minds when I was about 14. I quickly snapped out of my Simple Minds period when Jim Kerr started wearing clogs.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Super 8 camera, laptop… Actually, I think that’s it – I’m a no-frills gent.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Sonic Youth, Public Enemy, Phil Spector, My Bloody Valentine, Curtis Mayfield, David Axelrod, John Barry.
