The Big Interview Holly Johnson Holly not ready to go always felt like The Power Of Love was the record that would save me in this life. There is a biblical aspect to its spirituality and passion, and the fact that love is the only thing that matters in the end. Holly Johnson is a pop star who has been here before as the lead singer/ songwriter of 1980s icons Frankie Goes To Hollywood and a solo hitmaker so theres a reflective tone to his Liverpool drawl. But he still cuts a debonair figure, arriving sharp-suited for a photo shoot and primed for the reissues of FGTHs greatest hits and his first two solo albums. His bands epic 1984 ballad The Power Of Love was originally pipped to Christmas Number One by Band Aid, so will he be grappling for the top spot this year? Its been a hit three times, thats probably enough! Christmas is always an X Factor fest, he predicts, breezily. Twenty-five years on, FGTH still seem ground-breaking; they were probably the worlds most metrosexual pop group, fronted by openly gay Johnson and Paul Rutherford and backed by pointedly straight Ped Gill, Mark OToole and Brian Nash. From their decadent 1983 debut Relax (banned by the BBC then festooned with awards), their music made the charts more daring, while their Frankie Says T-shirts became era- defining fashion. Johnson holds many fond memories: Turning my teenage dreams to reality... making an impression on the 1980s with its plethora of amazing pop acts who had to raise their game. Behind the hits, however, professional relationships were fracturing, resulting in a lengthy court battle with record label ZTT (co-run by producer Trevor Horn) which finally released Johnson from his contract. The gruelling situation was intensified by personal traumas, as Johnson was diagnosed as HIV positive; its an experience he evocatively relates I in his autobiography A Bone In My Flute. He admits that there has been minimal contact with his former bandmates since (I wish them all well, but it was a very messy divorce), although hes unsurprised by demands for a reunion. P eoples thirst for nostalgia is huge, particularly during hard economic times, he muses. For me, it was a perfect pop moment it was young, sexy, spectacular and finite, thats what made it special. I dont want to see it as a middle-aged behemoth; my nerves couldnt stand it. My main responsibility is to maintain my health; people say Oh, you look so well and why is that? Because I know how much I can do; I cant globetrot and work as hard as before. His poppy solo work boldly contrasts with FGTHs material; he has also returned to painting which he abandoned for music, exhibiting at galleries including the Royal Academy and Tate Liverpool. I want my work to be uplifting, he says. Ive never been interested in tortured psychology I prefer hope and optimism, ultimately. He remains confused by genre branding: On MySpace, you have to define yourself in three words! Pop, electro, alternative... I cant decide myself. Johnson does though describe himself as a classic outsider, and he gained a reputation for being acerbic; has he ever regretted that? God, yeah definitely, when being unkind or bitchy. Thats who I was at the time, and Im sorry that I offended anyone, but Im all grown-up Being unkind or bitchy. Thats who I was and Im sorry I offended anyone, but Im all grown-up now sort of! Holly Johnson reminisces to Arwa Haider about fronting the worlds first metrosexual band, and life after its messy divorce Modest Mouse In Town Tonight Touring on the back of EP No Ones First, And Youre Next, a collection of B-sides and unreleased material, the Seattle space-rockers return with hire- a-help ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, now a permanent fixture Tonight, The Academy, 57 Middle Abbey Street D1, 7.30pm, 27 (returns only). Tel: 0818 719 300. www.modestmouse.com The Santaland Diaries Feeling a bit Grinchy this Christmas? Then youll love The Santaland Diaries, Joe Mantellos darkly comic one-man stage adaptation of David Sedariss real- life account of seasonal employment as an elf in Macys department store Until Dec 22, Bewleys Caf Theatre, 78/79 Grafton Street D2, 12.50pm, 15. Tel: 086 878 4001. www.bewleyscafetheatre.com Peep Sneak preview of the works of six budding artists wholl be exhibiting with the gallery next year, their selected paintings, prints, drawings and installations indicative of their upcoming shows Until Dec 19, Talbot Gallery & Studios, 51 Talbot Street D1, Tue to Fri 10.30am to 5pm, Sat 10.30am to 2pm, free. Tel: (01) 855 6599. www.talbotgallery.com metro Arts & Entertainment life Book Now Air When Air performed their debut London show in 1998, audiences experienced surprisingly brilliant punk versions of ambient anthems such as Sexy Boy. Theyve since dressed up as sorcerers for gigs and composed scores for contemporary ballet and film, making the live possibilities for current album Love 2 particularly intriguing. Their trademark sleepy-headed synths and bubbling wah-wah filtered through a haze of Gauloise have made for a chequered career highs (Moon Safari, Talkie Walkie) and lows (10,000 Hz Legend) however, Love 2 suggests a resuscitation of sorts for the French duo Feb 23, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street D2, 7.30pm, 49.20. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.aircheology.com ON MY iPOD Ed Byrnes six- track mix 14 metrolife Monday, December 7, 2009 Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam Uncut magazine asked people to put questions to Eddie Vedder, so I asked: Come on be honest, even youre not sure what the words to Yellow Ledbetter are? He seemed to laugh, then he explained what it was about: a guy who gets a letter about his brother who died in the war. Brighton Rock by Queen Whenever I make a compilation I always think: You know what, Ill put Brighton Rock on. Brian May with an echo peddle keeps it interesting. Everyones A VIP To Someone by The Go! Team There are certain songs that come up a lot when Im on tour. On the last one, whenever we were feeling down wed put this on. It just gave everyone a bit of a lift. I also walked down the aisle to it. Miss Sweeney by Weezer This is an obscure track from the deluxe edition of Weezers 2008 The Red Album, which I dont understand because its the best song on it. Its a really sweet number about a man who randomly starts serenading his secretary. Endorphinmachine by Prince This is like Prince by numbers: really rock, great guitar solo and dramatic opening; and at the same time very funky and has a mention of sex. Its the last really good Prince track. No Rain by Blind Melon This comes on at house parties, just when you think people dont have another song in them, you go: Hang on guys, I wont let you down.... Suddenly it kicks everything off again. Zena Alkayat Ed Byrnes DVD, Different Class, is out now. The hoTTesT TickeTs in Town We have a pair of tickets to see AIR Feb 23, 2010 at The Olympia, 7.30pm For a chance to win, e-mail your answer to the question below to life@metroireland. ie by noon today with Hot Tickets in the subject line. With your answer please include your name, address and a number where you can be contacted between 1pm and 3pm. Strictly one entry per person; entrants must be age 18+. Q. Air provided the film score for which indie flick? A Requiem For A Dream B The Virgin Suicides The winners of Fridays tickets to see Alicia Keys are: Gerry Brett & Rita Boland index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html