Tim Muddiman
Interview With Tim Muddiman
For years, Tim Muddiman played bass in Gary Numan's band. You may remember Numan from his hit song "Cars," which served as something of a sign of things to come with regards to the impact technology would have on music. These days, though, Muddiman is working on projects of his own. His new album Domino Blitz will be released in the near future. In preparation for the release of his latest work, I spoke with Tim about the record, his influences, and much more.
Tim Muddiman
Anything new since we spoke last?
Every day something new happens but nothing of great drama to report. I’ve just been re-writing some of my songs so I can perform them acoustically for an after album campaign party that I am throwing. It’s incredible how different they seem stripped right back. The songs feel rather exposed and I really like that.
How did you come to play with Gary Numan?
I played bass guitar in a band called Sulpher a long time ago. Rob Holiday and Monti whose band it was produced Gary's album Pure and I met Gary through them. One day I had a call from Rob asking if I could play on the Top of the Pops the next day with Gary. You can imagine it was incredibly exciting. That was in 2003. I later joined Gary's band in 2007 and have only missed one tour since then. I'm grateful to Rob for the introduction.
How did you come to name your new album Domino Blitz?
I love Soho in London. I love parts of the '70s punk era. I love early 80's fashion. I’m saddened by gentrification. I’m saddened by the underworld goings on being diminished because of corporations, CCTV, and the working class becoming modern middle class. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a criminal but I feel there is a lack of human spirit that I observe from those cultural periods. I read an article from a guy called Robert Rubbish, its entitled "The Dying Lady of Soho" and it’s about his experience of Soho and how independent retailers and members of an incredible community have all moved out and moved on. So coupling that with this fascination and a nod of my hat to "The Blitz Kids" (Boy George, John Galliano, Princess Julia, Gary Kemp, etc.) and their movement of fashion and expression. The word "Domino" means something that is about to fall and "Blitz" is the wonderful mayhem.
What song on the new album do you feel is most radical and why?
I don't think any of them are because it all feels like reality, but maybe the most non-obvious choice would be “Out Of This World.” That’s because for too long I've not dared to be who I want to be because of lack of confidence, self-doubt, not listening to myself and being guided by external forces. I don't really fit in anywhere. So the song is about feeling love. I don't mean romantically specifically but feeling it in all areas of life. It made me very happy feeling that I’d emotionally matured and got in a place mentally and spiritually that was far more developed than my younger self. In retrospect it’s a radical transformation from times gone by.
It made me very happy feeling that I’d emotionally matured and got in a place mentally and spiritually that was far more developed than my younger self. In retrospect it’s a radical transformation from times gone by.
What does Clark Gable represent?
Dealing with an impossible situation. Clark Gable wasn't even well known for his dancing, he was known for his acting. I did that on purpose because I’m talking about something I experienced where righteousness and entitlement became very negative and impossible. I’ve invested time in the wrong people because I try and see good and it hasn't really done me any favors. Okay. It’s an old girlfriend. Judgmental and with a broken spirit.
“Burn the Witches”....explain this one?
This is my post Brexit song. Its disbelief to anti-cultural integration and sympathy for refugees without any help or welcome. It's empathy for ignorant people with quick judgments about not helping people who have to flee countries because of war to save themselves and their families. I empathize because there could possibly be a better education for such ignorance. From being a child I have never understood racism and bigotry. I despise it and it makes me feel hopeless at times. “Burn The Witches” is a reference to the ignorant. Quick to say "We don't want them in my country" et cetera without taking the time to think. Burn them at the stake. Not my problem.
Why write something like “Broken Down Superstar?”
Because mainstream media is all about money and not cultural importance. It’s run by large corporations and subliminally controls the world. The superstar is a reference to fame and the rest of the song is about brainwashing. Like Christianity.
