|
One of the most influential albums from one of
our most forward-thinking artists, A GUY CALLED GERALD's 'Black Secret
Technology' helped launch a whole new genre back in 1995.
Gerald Simpson didn't mean to invent
intelligent drum and bass, it was just a strand of his ongoing aural
inventiveness. Loved by critics, it was one of many Simpson productions to
bewilder his audience. As for his Private Passion, its isn't really that
private: Gerald has always invented stuff, from music to machines. But he
also likes to remix other people's...
Early Hacks
"I started in the early '80s when I hacked Space Invader machines to get
free games. I just wanted to learn basic code so I could build my own
games at first. My first computer was a ZX81. In those days you could buy
them from the newspaper."
To Hack Or Not To Hack
"I don't see it so much as hacking but reinventing new ways to use
machinery and software. I'm proud of all my hacking and invention. I used
to also hack public phones to get free international calls and drag home
bits of TVs and radios to fix and use as spare parts."
Reinventing Noise
"I enjoy making field recordings - recording people, images and strange
situations. I always have a miniature camera with me or some kind of
recording device. People say the strangest things to me. Nowadays I feel
it necessary to record everything."
I Wish I'd Thought Of That
"My favourite new invention is the thumb camera. The other day I was in
Ireland and some guy was giving me a blag about how he was going to pay me
the rest of the money he owed. I was thinking how funny this would be on
YouTube; 95 per cent entertainment value."
'Black Secret Technology' is out now
INTERVIEW BY DAVID TAYLOR
| 