Taking The Biscuit - Tiscali Music News

2001-08-21

Haven't heard from The Beautiful South lately? That's because their lead singer Paul Heaton has been busy working on a new solo project under the moniker Biscuit Boy. Musix met up with him to get the lowdown on his love for Lionel Ritchie, Rich Tea biscuits and texting Norman Cook.

How did this project come about?
I've wanted to do a solo album for a long time, so the first thing was to tell the other members of the Beautiful South. I had a list of musicians and songwriters that I wanted to work with, so I approached the songwriters first with the hope that they would also want to play on the record.

The first two people on that list were Joe Strummer from The Clash and Lionel Ritchie. Lionel Ritchie was only able to write in July, which was too late, but Joe Strummer immediately said yes. So I wrote with him and a couple of members from his band. It worked straight away.

Why Lionel Ritchie?
I realise that he's hit on a low point in his career, but that doesn't make him a bad songwriter. I think he's a fantastic songwriter; he's the best-stylised writer I can think of. He's like the black Elton John. I thought that the mixture of his chords and my lyrics would be quite a clash - a good clash. I think musical clashes always make the best music.

Does that mean this is the end of The Beautiful South?
No, this is a side project. But I've definitely enjoyed it enough to do it again.

Have the other members of The Beautiful South heard the album?
They've all got the single. I don't think they'll say that they like it though. I think they can't help feeling a little left out. None of them are being vindictive or bitter - we never had an argument in twelve years - but I'm sure they feel a bit jealous of the other musicians.

Where does the name Biscuit Boy come from?
I just like the idea of a biscuit boy somewhere. You know how they found wolf boy who was brought up by wolves - I like the idea of people finding a biscuit boy who has just eaten biscuits all his life he's slightly round and if you touch him he crumbles.

Do you eat a lot of biscuits?
I'm supposed to say no, because I'm worried about my weight, but actually I don't eat enough! My favourites were Sports biscuits - they used to be those round biscuits with a stickperson playing a sport in the middle. I went looking for them the other day and they've changed them to skateboarders - I was very disappointed.

So it's not those anymore. Rich Tea are probably my favourite now, which is funny because I don't even drink tea or coffee. The reason is because I used to eat a whole packet of Rich Tea for my school dinner every single day of my school life.

Are you still friends with Norman Cook?
Yes. Hes one of those friends that I don't have to stay in touch with, because as soon as I see him we're back on a level again. We text each other about twice a week, but it usually ends in insults or filthy jokes!

Would he work on any of your new stuff?
Yes he would. He helped us with difficult Beautiful South tracks. Theres definitely a song or two that he could do something with on this album. I haven't approached him. Maybe I'm approaching now in a quiet way; maybe you're saying I should approach him by asking that question!

Tell us about the album
Well, it's more open to interpretation than Beautiful South stuff. Technically the Beautiful South is about songs. The production is dressed down to ensure that you hear the lyrics and the melody, ensuring that the song survives. This record is more dynamic; it's a sound thing rather than a lyric thing.

Are you hoping for chart success with Biscuit Boy?
I'd like the album to sell well, but to me if it sells 100,000 I'll be happy. Anything more than that and I lose track, it means nothing after a certain figure. My success is only a limited amount.

Will you be touring?
Not with The Beautiful South, but I might do a couple of gigs in America, some here, and a few in Europe. I'd like to keep it minimal, but we'll see. It depends on how well the album sells.

Biscuit Boys debut Mitch is released on 3 September.


Links
Buy Biscuit Boy CDs