Jones begins to talk about the general safeness of modem music, about the modern day dinosaur bands as part of The Clash TV retro. So have you ever felt like a fossil, Stuart? Like you've created something which has outgrown your control?
"Definitely, yeah." admits Adamson with a look of concern "We get a lot of that. a lot of snidey asides. People say "What relevance do Big Country have to the '90s" and I just say that to understand that you have to come out and see us live. I don't think it's a bunch of empty Rock gestures. If I did think it was down to that I wouldnae do it because I'm no fan of seeing somebody onstage going through :he motions.
"I saw David Bowie a couple of weeks ago at Ingleston and the songs were great. But I felt that he wasnae trying particularly hard. He wasnae trying to involve the crowd when live it's really the crowd's occasion. We're not a pale reflection of what we were eight years ago. I honestly think that I know what's exciting about Rock music because I'm still excited by it myself."
Which brings us to Big Country's current live escapades which, at the lime of going to press, will have just got underway.
The gigs mark an end of something," states Stuart. 'I think they're gping to be imbued with a touch of overt sentimentality. That'll be good because
it'll definitely be the last time we play some of
those songs live. This isn't the same Big Country and we want to put some of that past to rest.' Big Country's past, however. is presented in glorious Celtic Technicolor on the just released 'Through A Big Country' platter. A fine collection that perhaps marks the end of Chapter One in the Big Country story?
"Hmmm. That's a bit corny isn't it?" winces Stuart. 'I'm glad I didn't say that, but I suppose it is. I think we went through a phase after we played Moscow (in August and October '88) where we were constantly in the media glare and there was an inherent nervousness in the band. We had to decide whether to stop or to go for it. That's when Mark (Brzezicki — now in Fish's band) decided to leave. He still wanted to be involved on a session basis but I dinnae want that.
"To be honest you can't replace somebody like that. There's seven years of memories, but with Pat in the band now there's such a positive feeling. It's a question of saying 'Bollocks!' to everyone and being the type of band we want to be. It's ridiculous
to say this at 32 years old, but I've just begun to reconcile myself with what we do."
The new material, recently demoed at Park Lane with Kenny MacDonald (Gun, Slide) at the helm, along with acoustic versions of 'Broken Heart {Thirteen Valleys}' and 'Peace In Our Time' for future use as future 'B' sides, according to Adamson,
we will have a harder edge and a freer attitude", following on from the current 'Save Me' single which was produced by Tim Palmer (Tin Machine, The Mission and a longstanding Skids fan).
"'Save Me' actually just came from a load of jamming. its a lot more Bluesy than anything
I've come up with before and I wanted to make it a quasi-spiritual song. Working with Tim Palmer on that was really enjoyable after general dissatisfaction
that we felt working with Peter Wolf on the last album, 'Peace In Our Time'. We'd like Tim to work with us on the next album if he's got the time 'cos he really contributes a lot to things and hopefully we'll get round to recording straight after this tour around June "
AS THE conversation winds down, Adamson prepares himself for the next day's arduous journey to the bright lights and cameras of old London town for an early morning video shoot for the current single, 'Save Me', already included on the greatest hits package. 'I'm not very good at videos.' moans Stuart as the band prepare to clamber into a car that'll take the quartet to Glasgow station. As the foursome make their exit, two little kids standing by the studio door enquire whether there's a band in the studio, unaware that they've just walked past them. Somehow it seems to sum up Big Country's self-effacing appeal.
COMPETITION
"Through A Big Country" is chockful of every BC classic you care to hum. We've got ten copies of the album to give away, one of which could be yours if you can answer the following question:
Which band was Stuart Adamson in before forming Big Country?
Answers on a postcard to RAW: Country Club, 52-55 Carnaby Street, London W1V 1PF.
BIG COUNTRY '90 (l-r): Tony Butler, Bruce Watson, Stuart Adamson (seated), Pat Ahern.
