andrewherring
Just for the record, is 'Andrew Herring' your real name?
My name's Angus but for some reason people always get the name wrong, so Andrew Herring it is.
What are you up to these days?
I've spent the last 2 months making the most wonderfully cheesy mashes for MTV - which has been fruitless, but enjoyable. One of them's at Strangely Familiar ("It Only Takes Two Tribes", another's here ("Ace Of Maroon") & I'll be putting all of them plus more into a longer mix for Adam Court at Bridge FM. Also on the Magick forum's Janet Jackson tribute, Re-Design Of A Decade, is my megatabulous tune, "Nasty Subway".
What music are you currently grooving to?
Oh I don't know - 2/3's cheese, 1/3 funky stuff. "Matchstick Men & Matchstick Cats & Dogs" by Brian & Michael has been featured heavily recently. Loving Pheugoo & DJ Scenius's stuff lately. Baby Ford again. The Best Christmas Album Ever. You know...
What, in your opinion, is the cheesiest album of all time?
My criteria is - Christmas albums, particularly any Rap/R&B Christmas Album & specifically Christmas albums by a sole artist. I've never listened to them but logically the Destiny's Child, Ashanti, Christina Aguilera, or Mariah Carey Christmas albums fall neatly into that.
When was the last time you bought a record that was so "bad", it is good? Where did you buy it?
Most of me & Mrs Herring's albums come into that genre. Most of the world didn't go for Adam Watkiss's album (Winner of ITV's "This Is The Moment" presented by Mel B) but we like it. It was in the easy listening section in HMV in Norwich.
Which artiste, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be?
When I was little I wanted to be Robert Smith but now I'd love to be William Shatner.
Can you recall the most embarrassing & bizarre thing that has ever happened to you?
I find the time I was hitchhiking & got told to f**k off by Billy Connolly the most embarrassing, & the thing I don't want to talk about ever.
The Last of andrewherring:
Last time you snogged a member of the opposite sex = I snogged Phoebe recently
Last movie that made you cry = True Romance
Last person you punched = Phoebe probably
Last album you heard that gave you wood = Anything by Baby Ford
Last mash-up you heard that made you went "Damn! Why didn't I think of that?!!" = Pheugoo's "Smokey & The Yeah"
What are your worst fears?
I fear panic & losing control. Fear is the mindkiller after all.
What are the greatest joy as well as the biggest pain being andrewherring?
The biggest pain is that people will assume it's not a pseudonym, but it's nice when andrewherring gets recognition, even if sometimes it's a bit over the top for what it is.
In your opinion, which GYBO-er deserves a kick in the gonads?
I dislike arrogant, whining, negative people - so if a tune is bad or a post is stupid then I don't mind taking the mick subtly but some people last year have made it into a sport. I don't like rude or impolite people either but they don't need a kicking.
Compared to many, you have a very distinctive style. What do you think is the secret ingredient behind the trademark "andrewherring" sound?
I do? I usually only do boots & mashes that come up in my head. That seems to involve strong good vocals & a backing track from the past when music was more tuneless than it is today...or at least funkier. I like ascending filter sweeps & thats starting to be a bit of a cliche in my tunes.
In your opinion, what are the factors that make a good mash-up?
The juxtaposition of old & new, preferably being able to sing & dance to it, & funny, even if it's serious.
Describe your ultimate bootleg fantasy involving Weiser, Cliff Richard, Girls Aloud & Richie Deluxe. Humour us please...
Cliff would give Weiser some advice about being humble & not spamming too much, just accepting the breaks that God gives you & working hard but not striving. Richie meanwhile tries it on with Girls Aloud but they can't understand his accent & diss him horribly. Cliff converts them & they become so cloying they immediately only start releasing christmas number ones.
Let's play word association. We mention a name & you give us your thoughts...
Pampers = Don't like children.
Andrew Ridgeley = Straight, Nose Job, Racing Driver.
ABBA = Swedish, better than Ace of Base, amazing disco stuff.
.ogg = Betamax, eg. better than standard but not got the clout.
Massive Attack = Local but dull.
John Holmes = Reservoir Dogs.
Korg = Not as good as Yamaha.
Culture Deluxe = The Wurzels.
Lucifer = Seductive but evil.
Brian May = Bad hair. Buckingham Palace roof.
Which genre of music do you consider the most "under-explored" by bootleggers? Why?
I was glad when E-Jitz & Pheugoo did some dancey folky things recently, as there's so many good folky, country dance tunes out there & they're not used.
What do you remember about the following years:
1984 = The Top by the Cure
1988 = Went to university, "I'm The DJ, He's The Rapper" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, "There's No Love Between Us" by Pop Will Eat Itself, "Oochy Koochy" by Baby Ford
1992 = Left university, moved to England, "Void Dweller" by Eon, Check Your Head by the Beastie Boys
2001 = Got married. Moved to Cromer - 'Jewel of the North Norfolk coast'.
2003 = Started making boots.
What's your favourite Saturday night record?
Whigfield's good. Didn't like De La Soul's one.
And your Sunday morning one?
I've always had a soft spot for "...over the mountains & the sea..." by Martin Smith. (Ed's note: the track is "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever" by Delirious?)
Do you still see yourself churning out bootlegs in ten years time?
I never "churn", I trickle. Maybe, it's fun & nothing short of boredom's going to stop me.
What do you think the future for bootlegs / mash-ups / remixes would be like, given that being a home musician is so easy these days?
I think it'll stay the same - it's not so different to any other genre of music. The cream will still rise to the top & everyone else will still keep making them for fun. If a song's good & mainstream enough it'll be picked up & promoted. There's enough people outside of GYBO listening.
Lastly, what do you wanna be least remembered for?
I don't fancy being the bloke that did that Bryan Adams mash up, but I fear it's already too late...
Some andrewherring boots:
1) Ace Of Maroon [OFFLINE]
2) Nasty Subway
3) It Only Takes Two Tribes [OFFLINE]
You can also visit andrewherring's website here.
