MAT What was the last book that you read? "Have Gun Will Travel, the book about [Death Row Records boss] Suge Knight and California gangster rap. After reading that book, I can't go into the Nude offices and take it seriously. You can't really imagine Saul [Galpern, Nude supremo] ever ordering his homeboys to take me and Simon outside for a punishment beating. We listened to a lot of gangster rap making the new album - it was a bit get down in the Westbourne Groove barrio with the new sound of gangster Suede." Do you drive? "I'm virtually the only member of the band who drives, the one-man taxi service. I've got a bronze Mercedes 450 SLC. I do like cars." Do you have a favourite painter? "I fucking love Anish Kapoor [contemporary sculptor and conceptualist, keen on pitch-black 'voids']. I've always found every art form except from music to be a disappointment, in terms of emotional charge. Anish Kapoor is one of the few things that actually messes with your mind." What's your favourite building? "I like Senate House [the University of London library]. Apparently it's used as the Ministry of Truth in the film of 1984. I just think it's beautiful." What's your favourite TV programme? "I do like Alan Partridge. The bit where he was living in a hotel struck such a chord. Suede have certainly stayed in that hotel out on the ring road." How many pairs of trainers do you own? "I try and steer clear. I have some, but I try not to wear them outside the house. If I do, I do feel like such a fucking fraud. It's like going out wearing a cricket jumper." << back to Black or Blue

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