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In the year 1993, following the launch of Happy Mondays’ fourth album, Yes Please!, a disastrous event occurred that contributed to the financial downfall of Manchester’s Factory Records, ultimately leading to the disbandment of the band. The excessive use of drugs during their recording in Barbados was the ultimate factor in their demise.
Shaun Ryder, the lead singer, wasted no time in creating his next musical venture, Black Grape, in the same year. The group included Mondays’ maracas player Bez and Paul Leveridge, also known as Kermit, from Ruthless Rap Assassins.
A dynamic blend of dance and rock music, infused with elements of acid house and rap, Black Grape’s debut album in 1995, titled “It’s Great When You’re Straight … Yeah,” reached the top spot on the charts in the UK and achieved platinum sales. Similar to the Mondays, Black Grape has experienced multiple breaks and reunions over the years. Currently consisting only of Ryder and Leveridge, the band has released their fourth studio album, “Orange Head,” which was recorded in the mountains of Granada, Spain with producer Youth. We caught up with Ryder and Kermit, who were in Salford and Liverpool respectively, in between their live performances to discuss topics such as substance abuse, mortality, and political figure Nigel Farage.
Hello Shaun, how are you doing?
Shaun Ryder asks if he can lower the volume of Emmerdale. He then greets with a “hello.”
Kermit appears on our video call dressed in a robe…
Are you currently wearing your robe?
I am currently in my bed and feeling very cold.
It is 2:05. Are you feeling unwell?
Do you recall how you commemorated your first album reaching the number one spot in 1995?
It is likely that heroin was involved.
There is reportedly a large amount of heroin and crack present.
SR We were smoking it in a wardrobe in this huge house in Los Angeles with 10 bedrooms.
We can now find humor in the situation. What are our plans for commemorating its 30th year? Perhaps a piece of cake.
Perhaps we could have a salad and a non-alcoholic beverage. We are currently vegetarians and very politically correct individuals [laughs].
What is the reasoning for the name choice? Why Black Grape instead of, for example, green grape?
The main reason was that we completed the album and wrote all the songs without having a name. Gary Kurfirst, our record label manager at Radioactive, refused to provide any funds until we officially signed and provided a name. Paul Kermit came into the studio with a can of black grape juice. Our initial goal was just to get the money, but now it would have to be carrot juice instead [laughs].
Regarding titles, where did the name Orange Head for the new album originate from?
In summary, our colleague Matt Carroll, who also created the artwork for Mondays and the original Black Grape album with his brother Pat, provided us with new artwork. As usual, I entrusted Matthew with the task of creating the artwork and he produced a big orange head. While I could joke that it was inspired by my daughters’ makeup looks, they would not appreciate it.
You documented it in Spain…
In the mountains of Granada lies a stunning location known as “K”.
We encountered some amazing new acquaintances: a pack of stray dogs who resided near the studio. The owners allow them to freely roam the premises.
Were you not lured to return to Barbados, the location of the infamous sessions for the Mondays’ album “Yes Please”?
Unfortunately, my children are insistent on taking a vacation to Barbados. However, the memories of excessive crack usage during my last trip there make me feel nauseous.
Kermit, I heard that you received the final sacraments in the late 90s due to contracting a severe infection from contaminated drinking water.
I had two experiences of death. I could recount them in a written work. Once our time on Earth is over, there is something else waiting for us. Nothing truly disappears, it just transforms. It was a very profound and spiritual event. I was close to dying, but somehow I survived and it changed my perspective. If I had passed away, my daughter would not be here today. She brings me immense happiness.
One of the most notable tracks on the album is “In the Ground.” The song tackles a weighty subject…
Unfortunately, both Paul and I have recently experienced losses. Paul’s father passed away and my brother, Paul Ryder, also passed away. Paul and I have differing perspectives on the situation. My approach was lighthearted, although it may seem serious.
It was a healing experience to release all the sadness we were carrying. In October [2022], my father passed away and we traveled to Spain just five days after.
I have experienced sadness and difficulty due to my ADHD diagnosis in 2020. I have always wondered why I am not affected by things in the same way as others. For example, when a family member passed away, I did not immediately react. It was as if nothing had happened and I would only react much later, sometimes years later. It took me three years to feel the impact of my father’s death. My relationship with my brother was strained, as we both had different perspectives on our family dynamics. My brother was skilled at manipulating situations and often portrayed me as the villain. He harbored resentment towards me and was plagued by jealousy, causing problems in our relationship. Despite my efforts to support him and fulfill my responsibilities, he remained bitter towards me.
The love within the K Family is stingy.
How do you feel about being referred to as a national treasure, Shaun?
I received this title after my time in the jungle [where I placed second on the 2010 season of I’m a Celebrity]. It’s quite an honor to be considered a national treasure. It’s definitely preferable to being labeled a drug addict, right?
What is your opinion on Nigel Farage appearing on I’m a Celebrity?
Reworded: Editing can greatly impact how others perceive you, either positively or negatively. The final product is a reflection of how you were portrayed in the editing process. I do not support Farage’s politics in any way.
He is repulsive.
Do you remember Black Grape’s performance of Pretty Vacant on TFI Friday in 1996? Has Chris Evans forgiven you for swearing a lot?
Chris from SR was exceptional. He faced numerous fines due to my actions. I was barred from Channel 4 for an extended period, despite currently being heavily involved with them. My actions were never intentional, as I have ADHD. It would be unjust if they had known about my learning disability and still chose to ban me back then, wouldn’t it?
What is the difference between being in a band now versus in the mid 90s?
We are not spending as much time together, but when we do meet, it is meaningful and valuable.
SR We spent a lot of time in really mad situations, putting your life on the line trying to score in different countries. Everywhere we went we had to score. We were heroin addicts. We either had to travel with it up our rectums or get off a plane and go and score. We were in the middle of a gun battle in fucking Jamaica, [while] getting crack. We were in a lot of stressful situations like that so we did a lot of arguing and falling out.
Avoid drug use, children!
The latest release from Black Grape, titled Orange Head, will be available on January 19th.
Source: theguardian.com
