The Raft Interviews - Ant
Can you remember the first time you thought 'We're popstars?!
I think the first time would have to have been when one of our songs was in Eastenders. For me Eastenders is pretty much my favourite programme and I used to think as a kid I wonder what it would be like to have your own song playing in a soap and it was 'All Rise'! It was about a month after we released it and I remember the scene; Phil was having a go at his mum Peggy in the Queen Vic. I remember it vividly. I called my mum, dad, mates and that. "I'm famous mum, I'm famous". I know it seems stupid, but to me it really meant a lot. That's probably the first time.
It's funny but I think a lot of people would say your first Top of the Pops appearance or something...
Yes, I agree with that too. Top of the Pops is obviously amazing but just having your song on a programme is amazing.
Casting your mind back to the first album, can you remember the first album feeling? You were just starting out...
When we starting out we were all nervous. It was a time when Five were just splitting, Westlife were doing what they were doing… There were no other boy bands about. Hear’say were just about finished too and we came through the back door and our songs were on MTV, the Box on playlists on the radio. We had a lot of support for our first single. When we were releasing our third single leading onto our album we were very nervous because, of course, this was our first album and we didn't know how it was going to go. It was just before Christmas when we were at that height where 'If You Come Back' was number 1 and we were just getting really big and 'All Rise' just flew and it was just amazing!
Were you confident from the start that you were going to become this massive band?
Not at all, as I said before, we were always nervous, every time we released a single it's like it's our first single. You can't become complacent in this business, people start to notice things and people start to lose interest. We have always been enthusiastic. We do get bad days and we do get good days… you just have to keep 100% effort up and just make sure you are enjoying what you are doing and doing it to the best of your ability.
So even with the new single 'Curtain Falls' you still feel aprehensive?
Definitely, I mean, how many bands have come out since our last single? I mean, McFly, and Busted, they are doing really well. There are so many bands! 411 even, people might say they are a female version of Blue and it's like, you can't become complacent. 'Curtain Falls' might flop!
On your second or third video shoot it was September 11th and you were over there. Does that whole event seem real to you now?
That's something in the back of my mind and something we are never going to forget, obviously people lost their lives and we send our condolences to all the people that families. But in the world now you have to get on with things this is a memory now in the back of my mind. It was a sad occasion for all of us and it was a very sad day.
Has that had any influence on you as a band, maybe that whole experience?
I think a lot of songs come out of that experience, a lot of ballads. It might not come across in the songs but the people that we are thinking of are the people and families that lost their lives. I know when I have written songs I always use memories of that day. It is easier to write about it than talk about it.
You collaborated with a big artist for the first time on the ‘One Love’ album. Did you ever imagine that you would get to collaborate with such a big star as Elton John?
To be honest with you, no! There is no way in a million years, if you told me the first time me and the boys signed the record contract we would be singing with Elton John. I would have said, "You're having a laugh aren't you - go away!" It was just an incredible experience for us. As you say, he's a 'sir' and he's just an amazing artist with great talent. He's been going for 30/35 years and to work with him was a brillliant experience. He gave us a lot of advice, he was there on the video shoot from day 1 for us and he said that ‘All Rise’ was the best album of 2001. If it comes from Elton John then you know you are on to a winner!
What advice did he give you?
Just about how the music business is because we are new fish in a big tank. We are running around like headless chickens, we are doing the TV shows, we are doing the radio, doing it 200%. He was telling us how people are and how people can change around you. You just have to be level headed and keep your feet on the ground. We've taken that on board and I think we have become level headed people.
Do you think that maybe you were a bit naive up to that point then?
Definitely, because you are in a new business and you want to please everyone, shake everyone's hand... As we have got older we have noticed the people who were there at the start will always be there but when new people start coming on board, like friends and so called music mates and stuff, you become wary of people. We have learnt and now we are at the stage where we can pick and choose our friends. You may get someone who is nice to your face but slags you off behind your back, you don't need that.
Do you do anything to test people out because obviously there are a lot of so called 'liggers' in the music industry?
Yeah, when they ask questions I give them a stupid answer back and see how quick it gets around. I was on holiday and someone asked why I was on holiday and I said because I can't be bothered to work next day I had people ringing up asking if I was leaving the band!
Going back to the Elton John thing… He gave you gold chains with your names on, apparently, pretty impressive stuff! Did you give him anything in return?
Gave him a number 1 single! No, no, we just gave him our love! I don't speak to him on the phone but every time me and the boys see him he's nice to us and we have a friend in the music business. We gave him flowers and champagne and a Christmas present and I think that's enough. If we went overboard it would seem a bit too clingy. He was a top geezer.
And yes, apparently he loves flowers!
Oh yes, big time!
'Breathe Easy' was a massive success in Italy and also you did a track in French as well as ‘Breathe Easy’ in Italian…
…And we did 'Bubblin' with a band called Link up which is their version of Popstars in France.
Do you think you may have set a precedent for doing your songs in other languages, all of which have been enormously successful?
When you start in this business you don't realise how many artists exist abroad. You think there's American and English artists and a few Spanish/Italian and French but there are so many more! So, when we were approached to sing in Italian we thought why not? It's something different and something we can look back on. With 'Bubblin' we did half in French and the other half in English. I heard today that it's gone really, really well in France and I really pleased with that because I wrote that song and I am quite chuffed with that!
And is there any other track that you would like to do and in what language?
Because I am half Greek, I would like to do a song in Greek. There are a few artists I know in Greece and they have suggested singing with us so who knows, watch this space!
The Music Industry can be quite tough at times, why do you think you've stayed the distance as a band?
The way we are as a collective and individuals. We can all hold our own and we are not puppets. I don't need PR to back me up for the questions and we've all got our feet on the ground.
You talked about personalities there. Can you give us a bit of insight into the rest of the band's personalities? Obviously, people know them, but they know them from a media perspective. Can you enlighten us further to what they are really like?
We have all got different personalities but we have similar likes and deep down they have all got good hearts. All the boys, Lee, Si and Dunc have all got good hearts. If they had their last fiver they'd give it to you. If they had their last packet of crisps they'd give it to you. We've been through so much together and I don't not want to be their mates any more. I want to be as close to them now as I was three years ago. I want us to grow together. I know we will probably do our own little thing here and there. I want to be able to pick up the phone and see how the boys are doing because they are top boys.
And obviously you are going into this period where you are having a break from the band and you are doing your own thing. Have you heard the song that Duncan has done with Keedie?
No, I haven't as yet no because I've been away. But fairplay to Dunc, that is something he's been asked to do and he has enjoyed doing it so I wish him all the best and I am 100% behind him.
So you are still going to be involved with each other?
Yeah, definitely. If Dunc phones me and asks me what I think of a particular song he's written or a script he's been offered and he wants my advice, I would give it to him. We are all in the same boat and we are all part of the same industry and we are pleased to be in this situation today.
What would you say have been the best highlights, first part, second part and the lowlights of your career to date?
I think there are more highlights than lowlights. I think anything from winning two Brit awards to winning numerous awards around the world. The fans have been fantastic; I can't thank them enough. They've just been brilliant! Doing things like the Queen's Jubilee, that's never going to be in our lifetime again. To be on stage with the likes of Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Ozzie Osbourne, Kermit the Frog, you know, it was just an amazing event and to be asked to do that was fantastic. Things like Children In Need, Comic Relief. As I have said before, we are just so pleased to be in this situation to give back to people what they give us and that's happiness.
The lowlights for me are probably the way people judge you on first impressions. I know it's bad to say, and we all do it, but in this business no one cares whether you have had an hour's sleep or half an hour's sleep the night before so if you are not smiling for 10 minutes then you are a moody person. If you are ill and you can't sing that means you are a moody person. You cannot please everyone in this world and I get upset sometimes but I have got to the place where if I don't want to speak I don't speak and that applies to anything. People always want you to do bad and want you to fail. Bad news travels faster than good and that's upsetting.
I'm me, take me as I am… blunt… if someone's annoyed me, I'm going to tell them, if someone's upset me I'm going to tell them. If I am having a good time I am going to tell them. I am not going to be false or fake about it because it's not fair. I wouldn't like that done to me and I think treat others as they treat you.
Has there ever been any rucks in the band at all?
No, there's been no rucks, no fisticuffs or anything! There has been a few heated discussions, yes, definitely. We work together 24/7 and sometimes there are going to be things that I'll pick at or one of the boys will pick at and we might upset each other, but we are adult about it and we talk about it. There are so many stories about bands falling out and talking with their fists rather than their mouths and sorting it out.
You mentioned about the fans earlier. What do they really mean to you?
They mean a lot to us. You don't know how much we appreciate them being there, in the cold, you know. When we were doing our first album, our second album, it was in a studio in Chiswick, it was winter time, it was freezing, freezing cold and I remember seeing all the fans just sitting there with one of those big Mac jackets, just waiting for us and I said look, just go home but thanks for waiting for us. It was getting late at night and these people must have been about 14/15 years old. Having said that they have always been there and they are always going to support you. Whatever a fan says you've got to listen to because they put you there, rather than someone else talking who doesn't even know your music and they don't even know you.
Have you ever had a favourite fan or someone who you have got to know?
Oh, we've got to know most of our fans from the beginning, by name and by face but a special shout out to the Crazy Costa Crew. On the website, on the messageboard they have been fantastic and the Antony fans who write to each other talking about what I am about, whether I am a nice person or not. I don't want to big myself up but it's nice to have that. Nice one people! You know the other fans who like the other lads, they've been fantastic as well. A special shout out goes out to the Crazy Costa Crew!
What about if a fan was trying to impress you? What would they have to do?
Just be themselves and not scream in my face because I get a bit intimidated and don't know what to do with myself. I just laugh in their face… I don't mean to it's just a nervous laugh that I've got.
Do the fans differ around Europe?
Oh yeah, big time! German fans are great, they are very caring, they are not so much stand offish but they know where you are coming from. You know, if you get off a plane they are very polite and say "hello how are you doing" and then they let you get on your way. Whereas fans in say, Japan, when we arrive and there are like 1500 fans outside the airport and they are all going mad for you. They are like getting your hair and getting your jewellery and trying to get your finger and your skin, that does get a bit like ‘whooah!’ I feel a bit like David Beckham in Japan! Yeah the fans are great and the way they treat you is amazing and the presents they give you are amazing as well! I have got a nice little cupboard in my house with presents from different places around the world from different fans.
What's the best present you've had?
I have had loads man, I have had T-shirts, jeans, DVDs and there was one fan in Thailand who made models of us like trolls! I still have them sitting in my bedroom, that's like cool.
You have done your fair share of generous acts that you mentioned earlier on… visiting sick children, playing charity events… Do you think that enough bands give attention to those kind of causes in this country or do you think it's just part and parcel of being a public face?
Do you know what, helping people is a way of life. If you can help people every day then that is fantastic, but for us we get asked to do things all the time and because of our diary we can't always help different people and different causes. If we can we will always give to different charities and help sick and disabled children. You know I've got a child myself now and I know I could turn to the boys and they would help. So, we have got to there for as many people as we can but we can't split ourselves into a thousand pieces. As I said before, when we get a chance we always give back.
You mentioned being a dad there, how has that affected you and the band?
It has made me grow up and realise my responsibilities knowing I've got a child at home. I don't want to embarrass her. I don't want to be known as an idiot. I know people in the press have slated me because of the situation I went through with my ex. But unfortunately you fall out of love and for me when I fell out of love I just left, but I will always be there for my daughter whether I get on with my ex or not. Seeing my daughter smile, holding her and taking her out and buying her a little present it really means a lot to me. I really want to be there for my daughter and that's the main thing. I will always be there for her 100%.
It has been well documented about your friendly rivalry with bands like A1. Is there any other bands or artists that you have played a practical joke on?
When Brian was in Westlife we always used to play pranks with each other. Brian and I get on really well, he's a good mate of mine and when we are doing CD:UK or Top of the Pops we were like changing each other's dressing room doors and stuff and the Westlife boys took it on the chin and had a bit of a giggle about it. The Blazing Squad boys we always have a muck about with. I don't really know Busted that well but I have said hello in passing in corridors etc. McFly, I don't even know.
You've had a slightly bad boy image over the years. Is that something that you have played up to or does it just come naturally?
Me?
Well all of you actually!
We have always said it from day one that we are not clean cut boys and we like going out and having a drink and a laugh. At the end of the day as long as our music is selling then we are just happy with that. It was the same with East 17 and Take That - East 17 were the bad boys and Take That were the good. East 17 records sold and our records are selling. We just love a good party and a good time. Bottom line we love women. We loved women before we were in a band, and we still love women and partying now so nothing has changed there!
What kind of women do you like, do you all have your own favourites?
Yeah, which is a good thing! I like girls that make me laugh and are up for a giggle… The Mediterranean looking girls.
You mentioned about travelling the world. So, tell us about the best things about meeting the fans and in the places you’ve visited. You sell a lot of records in India…
I have never been there but I am going in a couple of weeks. Indian fans are fantastic though and they have supported us from the beginning.
New Zealand?
Great, love New Zealand, fantastic country. Probably one of my favourite countries I have ever been to. There and also Australia simply because the reps for the record companies over there are all so fantastic and hospitable. The fans were really great as well though, quite crazy! It's good.
In what way?
Just screaming. I come back with an ear infection!
It's been very well documented that you are very popular in places such as Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia...
Beautiful countries. Again, Singapore is one of my favourite countries, beautiful and the fans are even better. Indonesia, I have only been to once and they were cool as well. I think Indonesian fans are quite crazy to be honest with you. But again, that's a good thing… it's the way people react to you. Thailand is crazy too and I remember we did a signing once and they went a bit mental. Barriers came down and we had to leg it! It’s pretty scary when that happens, you never think that's going to happen to you. You see it on TV programmes, documentaries about boy bands and you think, “ah that's never going to happen to me!” And then it does happen to you and you are in shock!
Tell us about 'Only Words I Know' and 'Longtime', the smooth mix which are the extra tracks on the new album...
'Only Words I Know' is a song that Simon wrote, it's got a Spanishy, flamenco feel to it. Really really good tune, quite laid back. He wrote it about a year and a half ago now and it's got a girl singing with us as well. And it's about how to impress a girl while talking to her in Spanish. There are Spanish words in there as well, something for the Spanish fans which is a nice gesture!
And what about 'Curtain Falls' can you tell us a little bit about that?
‘Curtain Falls’ is a song that me and the boys wrote about 2½ years ago, it was meant for our second album but we felt it was a bit too early to put it out because people might think - “curtain falls??” - the shows over! It's got a great message to it. It tells all that we have been through in a band all in 3½ minutes of a song. All the stuff that we've had to put up with, all the people that have never believed in us, and we are just proving them wrong and this is our song back to all those people.
Is there any sadness associated with the phase you are in at the moment is...
Oh yeah, absolutely sad, this has been my life for four years. I think it will be part of my life for the next four/five years. It's going to be sad and I am probably going to be balling my eyes out on our 'last' TV show, if the boys want to go and do their own thing.
What will you be doing in the next year?
I am in discussions, I want to do a bit of acting here and there, hopefully carry on with my recording, and write for other people as well. Maybe work with some of the boys on different things. Blue ain't dead yet!
OK, last questions… what is your favourite video from the Guilty album?
Apart from the actual video 'Guilty', which was great, I like 'Bubblin'. I am a bit biased because I wrote that and I had a bit of involvement in it -I didn't direct it - but I had a few ideas here and there. I worked really well with the director. I just loved the whole 2 day shoot thing. It was fantastic, a really, really good video. It was a hot day and everyone was up for it and it was just a good video vibe.
Would that be true of the song? I was going to ask which song is most personal to you…
On the Guilty album?
No, overall, it can be any song…
I have written a few songs on the Guilty album. I like 'Like a Friend' on the 'One Love' album which I wrote with two other producers who I worked quite closely with. I was going out with my ex girlfriend at the time, it was nice, you know the honeymoon period, and I wrote that. It means a lot to me and it was one of the most personal songs I have written.
And finally, do you have a special message to the fans?
As I always say, thank you very much for your support everyone. You guys have been fantastic. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. Thank you (blows kiss)