Despite his recent bout of technicolor yawning (and worse) Gavin has recently undertaken some interviews...
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Gavin Harrison is located in the hotel lobby, where King Crimson is staying in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Relaxed, kind and punctual as good English, he takes a seat to chat with Publimetro about his career and his way of collaborating on various projects such as The Pineapple Thief, Porcupine and recently King Crimson.
Considered one of the best drummers in the world, he has also worked with Iggy Pop and Lisa Stansfield.
King Crimson finishes his tour of Mexico this week, with a concert this Tuesday in Guadalajara and two more in Mexico City.
When listening to the music of The Pineapple Thief I listen to a pop band with that characteristic fine sound, what would be the concept of their live band?
- It is difficult to categorize, some people call it commercial, others describe it a little more progressive, I do not see it as genres to tell the truth. It is a very funny band with great people, in our concerts we try to emit a different energy in our shows. Many people prefer to listen to us live than our recorded songs.
What is the difference between your three bands?
- I try to express myself in the best way in all three. In King Crimson it is larger than average and there are three drummers, so we have to be very careful with synchronization and choreography. Porcupine Tree and The Pineapple Thief are more traditional, but King Crimson is special, something unique.
You have played with several musicians around the world, how do you select new projects?
- Over the years, I have tried to stop playing for money and do it more for the love of art, for music, Now I need to feel a connection with what I am going to do, I don't work for money, not anymore. If I don't feel that connection with music and people, I prefer not to. The feeling of having done something great makes me happy more than money.
I guess playing King Crimson should be on the musicians' podium?
- It is an intellectual challenge, the musical level is very high, it is a brain rather than a physical work.
They recognize you as one of the best drummers today, do you like these tags?
- I do not think it is. I'm happy that people like what I do, but I don't think it's a healthy state of mind to think that about myself. There are prizes for the best musicians, but I don't ask people to vote for me, it means nothing, because that would be merely selfishness, which is bad for creativity because that makes you look more and more.
That is numbers and I am not interested in numbers. I care more about making art, enjoying it and that people enjoy it, it is the best reward.
Many musicians are very concerned about the legacy they will leave, what would you say is yours?
- I don't think so to tell the truth, sometimes people send me messages thanking me for a show, and I'm glad that people feel happy about it. I think it's the best legacy I can leave, but I doubt that in 50 years people will keep talking about me.
They say King Crimson has no ego, is it true?
- Yes. I have been in bands with a lot of ego, everyone becomes negative and envious, it is bad for the band as long as they are never satisfied. He is an unstoppable monster.
What stories and memories do you do in a band as iconic as King Crimson?
- It is always a new experience, there is always a new song, but the challenge is always to play a single song in each show. I could always play something very technical, but it would be the same and eventually I would get bored, so for me and the whole band, the personal challenge is to play a single improvised new one in each show. Sometimes I come with an idea, sometimes I have something prepared, but it is best not to think and flow, it is when it best comes out.
What does King Crimson mean in your musical history?
- It's a unique band, it's the perfect opportunity to play whatever you want, as long as it's not boring. When they offered to join me, they liked the idea that I came from a totally different formation to the band, I grew up playing jazz with my father and I didn't grow up listening to progressive rock like everyone else in the band.
Mexican fans
For your fans, what is the emotion they have when watching them live?
- For us it is very exciting, especially for the fact that we had never played in Mexico. We have never on this side of the world before. We are very excited and, it is not because he is here, but the Mexican audience is one of the best, most fun and enthusiastic there is.
Do they have more expectations of the audience than usual?
- In other places, people in our concerts, sometimes they are sitting, it is not that they do not enjoy it, they just feel more comfortable like this, there is not so much reaction. Other times, the “rocker” audience gives us more emotions by being more expressive and we have a lot of fun.
