The Fun Lovin' Criminals are back doing what they love

With their new album ‘Classic Fantastic’ just released, Huey Morgan tells us why his new lyrics that speak of freedom and optimism are in fact the outcome of previous mental entrapment, politics of the music industry and a cultured childhood

How is the tour going, does it feel good to be back after so many years?

Really good, we are pleasantly surprised. It has been about five years since we got on the road with the crew and toured. I have been getting into shape now for a few months!

Do you think five years on that you may gain a new fan base?

Well we have only just started gigging. However when I look around there are certainly younger kids about. It was surprising as we have been away for a while! Which is a good thing because they were probably like ‘why does my older brother keep talking about these folks?’ they go to a gig and realise we are the sh*t (laughs)

Do you think the UK and the US differ musically in the sound they produce?

New York is different from the rest of the United States; New York is a melting pot of cultures which allows us to have varied types of music. I think it differs in that respect, although London has areas of diversity and interesting music has been created, it is easier for musicians to repeat what’s already been done. Like I have said the safe bet sells more records.

Which is the most liberal city London or New York?

In terms of personal freedom, London I would say.

Classic Fantastic is going to be your first single, what was the inspiration behind it?

I write all the songs, they're like little movies wrapped up into three minutes. It is about a guy that has just come back from being away for a while, kind of like the prodigal son, just not as biblical. The clip of prison is a deeper metaphor of mental enslavement; we kind of got a life sentence with our old manager, the one we went to court with. We were not allowed to make music for a while for legal reasons and felt we were trapped; the prison clip reflected our newly gained freedom. We're back!

Were entrapment, crime and environment suffocating aspects of your childhood in New York?

No not at all! Environment plays a huge role in forming a person, so of course drug dealing, gangsters and violence may have been a part of that! There was other stuff though, like a lot of love in my family and respect for women. People just focus on the easy things. If you look a little further there is more than just the comic book sh*t that people put us down as!

You're half Irish and half Puerto-Rican has this altered and enhanced your life experiences in any way?

Yeah I’m a mutt just like my dog! Just growing up in New York, every Friday night we would go to all the kids in the block, there was an Indian kid an Italian kid a Thai one. The crux of the point is that you taste different food, different languages and different cultures. So it was me and all around me. It enhanced my upbringing!

Was race an issue growing up?

It never entered our minds as kids, we were the same. I think a lot of racism comes from it being installed in childrens' minds from their parents. That is something we need to change over time. I mean we have to change we have a black president, which is dope!

The words printed on the inside sleeve of your ‘Come Find Yourself’ album quotes ‘society prepares the crime the criminal commits’ do you still stick by this statement?

It’s a pretty deep quote, but it’s true. It was especially where I grew up. There were two options in life the latter being criminal. That first album was everything that had happened to me in my life building up to the making of it! So I do stick by that quote.

Are you an iPod or vinyl junkie?

Both, I love technology the idea that I can carry my laptop around with fifteen thousand songs on it. Of course I love vinyls - I have a lot of records back in New York. On my radio show for BBC 6 I have a session called vinyl fetish and go into BBC archives and play from there. I’m an old school guy though, I am forty-one, I'm used to cassettes and vinyls so when they brought out CDs I was like what the f*ck is that.

What sound reminds you of New York?

Burglar alarms and car alarms.

Freedom- is there that much in today’s music industry?

No quite frankly! We started our own record label; we three and our manager ran it. Most artists should, otherwise it’s strategically hard for you develop as an artist, if they don’t see a turn out in your first album you're out. Back in the day when we were signed with EMI we had an eight-record deal which meant they wanted to see you grow as a band. Now artists sign three hundred and sixty deals which means record labels get a large percentage of profit, merchandise etc. They are also so afraid of downloads, profit wise obviously. Music should be free in a way and for that reason I am not afraid of downloading. We enjoy making records as a band and you should buy records but realistically if anyone can get hold of a free record they will. So the most important thing an artist can offer is live music, gigs!

Do you listen to and like UK underground Hip Hop?

No I think it's rather silly. When I was growing up in New York that was when Hip Hop was in its prime. Underground Hip Hop I think is an emulation of an art form that is in the past. Even Jay Z talks of glamour in New York, but you have to understand it is only 1% of the population that have the luxury of sipping champagne and wearing Yankee caps. Roots Manuva is creative and doesn’t take himself too seriously, I have respect for him. Most other hip hop artists are trying to make money and you can hear that in their work!

What are Scooby snacks and where can I buy them from?

(Laughs) Whatever you want them to be and wherever you feel you need to buy them from.

Who are the Fun Lovin’ Criminals?

We are guys that do not take ourselves too seriously! We are a band, that’s it! Artists are just meant to make peoples lives a little bit better by creating good music. You see band likes Coldplay who think they're curing cancer and sending people to the moon, they're just a f*cking band! Music should be a release; of course raise issues in your lyrics but as a musician don’t take yourself too seriously. You’re not the biggest part of the equation, the people are!