My Bloody Valentine - Loveless interview

[zoooooopopo]

"get out of ireland" good advice.

[AMP4ii3Kit]

he reminds me of Andrew from MGMT

[basehead617]

he's pretty cool but humble? definitely not.. the man is an egomaniac the likes of which have never been seen before in the UK

[splinter360]

Kevin Shields seems like a very, very humble and cool man. He also seems like the guy whos not the loudest but probably says the most significant things. Makes me love My Bloody valentine more after seeing this vid.

[skam741]

4:37

*nods*

like facebook

[kermitneville]

Sorry, but "Only Shallow" is one of my least favorite songs by this band. And it was used like 5 times in this video.

[Richie7890]

"20 years after 'Loveless', fans still await the new My Bloody Valentine album."

[Andrew077]

20 years later...

[BAlva8]

Still waiting for the next tour..

[GeoAl09]

i hate this teasing of a new album and also the remasters

[MrComingtogetyouable]

Still waiting for that album indeed!

[ninethreefivesix]

GODS!

[Imxoneofthefallen]

I need loveless on vinyl SO BAD.

listening to this band gives me a natural high

They're so fucking amazing.

[MrCharlieharris91]

@Imxoneofthefallen do it, it sounds unreal

[BeTheDeathOfMe]

@Imxoneofthefallen

Oddly. Loveless sounds just as good on cd (if you use the right speakers or headphones) as it does on vynl.

Might be something to do with the way they recorded it.

[mengele800]

The 'lost' albums? Don't know about overseas but here in the States ''Loveless'' is still in print. Hell! you can even find it on vinyl.

[cromlek]

Isnt Anything is better.

[ballersack]

@cromlek

You're cool.

[Shirokinukatsukami]

@cromlek

It clearly is not. Back of the class for you.

[Robeedle]

this and cures Disintegration are probably my equal two fav albums.

[Richie7890]

@Robeedle Me too!

[jerzy862]

My Bloody Valentine: Not only one of my favorite bands, but one of the best names for a band ever.

[BlackTeddies]

I've heard alot of praise for loveless so I decided to give it a try and I've listened to it many times but I haven't "picked it up" The only song I find satisfactory is only Sometimes. The only song that I found good was shallow. I don't find it great as I expected due to everyone's praise.

[BDPizzle321]

@BlackTeddies smoke weed and listen to it with really good speakers or headphones.

[JackWMS14]

@BlackTeddies Give it time, Listen to it on a train late at night, or walking through a park really early as the sun is rising. Once you get it you will be so grateful you put the effort in after all, it completely worth it.

[Dinohead86]

Greatest album of all time. FACT

[PunchyMcJudy]

It really shows how far ahead Loveless was when it is still listened to and enjoyed today by fans who were only young when MBV was around and some not even born!

[Leadhead444]

This album is awesome who hasn't it influenced! lol

[11joshman]

@Leadhead444 radiohead are influenced by them

[96kilohertz]

Saw them I'm Sydney in 1991 at the phoenecian club. They were really cool but the loveless album sounded much better. Could understand how it was difficult to do live but they nail it these days. It's now my all time favourite record

[Zatzzo]

what does he mean "tuned the two strings together"?

[trexmegatron1]

The strings are tuned to the same note

[guitarxeater]

@Zatzzo Like tuning your G down two and half steps so that you have two Ds right next to eachother. It's a technique that a few guitarists use to get a fuller or just more distinct sound from the resonance.

[SeedsofJoy]

At the vert start of the vid, with the girl dancing, is that an MBV song?

[irishmusiccentral]

@SeedsofJoy ..no the first 7secs is just a piece of Irish trad music. the song form 0:07 to 0:25 is MBV's "Soon".

[xSPLENDAx]

@irishmusiccentral Yeah well it's loud as fuck and just woke up my whole house. Fuck you. :'(

[scarf1313]

@irishmusiccentral can you tell me what the song starting around 1:19 is that goes to 2:20

[hsieno]

@scarf1313 the song is called swallow, off the tremolo EP

[outtathesky]

@SeedsofJoy The bass riff is from a very cool band called "Death in Vegas"

Look up "Dirt" by Death in Vegas

[monkeypeas]

@SeedsofJoy I think he may be talking about at the very start "Dirt" by Death in Vegas plays very briefly.

[deltafoverdeltax]

2:55

lol

[irishmusiccentral]

@deltafoverdeltax If I ever make an album, I want it to go horribly wrong too!

[Leadhead444]

Haha i know right this album is amazing!

[brenfen]

Anybody know the name of the song beginning at 1.16?

[irishmusiccentral]

@brenfen it's called "Swallow" from the Tremolo EP

[DemoColorScheme]

How cool! His first gig ever was in my hometown!

[bigscaryboat]

i love when people are infatuated with articulate people.

[66trucker]

I love how this starts off to "Soon".

[tikidevil]

More, please. This is great. If you love MBV, and you kind of missed that decade, check out Swervedriver, the aforementioned Curve, The Dandy Warhols, Sonic Boom, Spaceman 3, The Catherine Wheel, Verve, Compulsion, etc. There was a lot cool, atmospheric, shoe gazing, neo-psychedelic music. I remember some of it...vaguely these days.

[Fran100]

alan mcgee is a sell-out

[fletchurr]

ELECTRIC CHILD HOUSE myspace psychedelic shoegaze garage

[J6larson]

Saw them in Chicaco at the Metro in '92 on my 17th birthday. There were a lot of leather jacket wearing metalheads in the crowd. Kevin came out and solo'd for like 20 minutes cuz the metal heads were heckling him. He cleared the floor of all the fakes. There were only a few of us left on the floor, I went straight up to the front smiling ear to ear, completely into it and they played loveless cover to cover. Best day of my life.

[Westerndigit]

you lucky bastard.

[spipper]

lucky! i was 2 in 92. :(

[cholocharile]

lol 40 thumbs up

[dfkjh]

umm... I was at that concert (Metro 92) and whatever drugs you were taking I definitely want some because NONE of what you just described took place! no metalheads, no 20 minute solo, no playing Loveless cover to cover... sorry, it's a great story but it's completely in your own head.

However, I did meet Bilinda in a record shop next door right before the show. she was buying a Beach Boys album for Kevin (this show took place on Valentines Day, so it was a gift). it was a great (& LOUD) show.

[MorbidGuardian]

@J6larson I wear jackets and listen to metal and I still like MBV :P

[ludvik199t]

what is the name of that song at 1.16???

[JigokuKitty]

'Swallow'

(It's off the 'Tremolo' EP)

[fatcatbuzz]

Yeah, I love that EP. I own it on vinyl. I this the album cover is cool.

[bassfishingmachine]

Oh ya, and Tool was fuckin amazing.... Cyas!

[davethebassist13]

I'm a huge Tool and MBV fan, and this Tool vs MBV bullshit HAS to stop! Tool are fans of MBV and I bet MBV are fans of Tool as well. Tool and MBV are two ORIGINAL talented bands, that are all about atmosphere and expanding your soul. They're not like the gay over technical metal bands being produces these days. Fight the new bullshit Hip Hop, gay Alternative, metalcore/deathcore bullshit, and emo. Keep the peace between two of the greatest Alternative acts to ever set foot on Earth.

[genxdude1991]

Loveless is a great fucking album.

[Allynhi]

Loveless is the greatest fucking album*

[vortexsurfe]

he seems to be a very symphatic person :)

[link1610]

GOAT album.

[FoxbaseTiger]

"Loveless" is almost 20 years old, and it is still way ahead of its time, in my opinion. I saw them at the Fillmore in Denver back in April of this year, and it was easily the best live show I have ever seen. MBV cannot be touched.

[fatcatbuzz]

I wanted to go to that particular show when I lived in Las Vegas. I bet it was awesome and I'm going to see them for sure next time they play. I even sell a kidney on eBay.

[RickLebbetz13]

I love this fuckin' great album "Loveless" and My Bloody Valentine. If You like Shoegaze, you'll like an album called "Dynamo" by Soda Stereo

[ser89ers]

soda stereo is shoegaze??

mm....

[monkeypeas]

lol, "7 years after 'Loveless' and fans still wait the next My Bloody Valentine album."

[ramonesaudibert]

i wonder if by saying ''very unhealthy'' at 3:20, he meant drugs. probably... i... guess.

[geniusgza7]

no he means it resulted in the album taking a long time to make

[herunarivelice]

OK Computer was heavily influenced by Loveless, and to be honest, in terms of musical and lyrical direction, it probably iwasmore developed than Loveless. Loveless managed to be simple and beautiful, while OK Computer is very sophisticated but even more inspiring.

[ballersack]

OK computer is a decent album. It is heavily produced ("sophisticated" you might say) by Nigel Godrich. Don't think for a second that the band that was responsible for Pablo Honey made OK computer without a little helping hand from the record companies.

Kevin Shields on the other hand, has always made awe inspiring music. He was destined to make Loveless.

[geniusgza7]

there too different albums and i dont think it was heavily influenced by loveless, more influenced by music lik dj shadow, sonic youth massive attack the beatles miles davis etc.

ye the finished album of course had help by nigel godrich but i wouldnt take any credit away from radiohead they have proved themselves with the bends, kid a, hail to the thief, in rainbows!

[archimbaust]

Actually I think, in a strict sense, this is the best album of the 80s. Consider the time it took to complete. But then, it's also a quantum-jump sort of thing into... maybe timelessness.

But then, ithere sn't anything like it in the nineties.

[phantom5691]

loveless is EASILY one of the best albums of the 90's. there is nothing like it

[casanovak]

Totally. I saw them last night and what a unique experience. No one does it that way anymore. Like it or hate it, its fiercely singular and hugely entertaining!

[momwentcrazy]

At the fillmore? Wasn't it amazing?

[MarcosAVaca]

hes so modest =D

[DTAM00]

check out tremolo that was probably their best EP but they are all great.

[matowana]

Fuck OK Computer and Nevermind, they're mostly encyclopedic syntheses of 80's musical styles. Loveless is the greatest, the most consistently original album of the 90's.

[churzz21]

fuck you douchebag nevermind is excellent

[SamTetro]

Nevermind is a good album but is nothing compared to this, there have been countless Nirvana dub bands and yet MBV still cannot be replicated properly. The difference is that this album is unique in its sound, Nirvana were a more appealing version of a much greater band: the Pixies.

[davethebassist13]

I totally agree. Nevermind was a groundbreaking trend album for Grunge. Loveless was a trademark of the Alternative Rock sound, it's a true masterpiece.

[ak40kevn]

come on dude or chick ok computer was the shit i think loveless was better but you cant say fuck that album, its still great. lovelesss is the most beautiful thing ive ever heard, ever.

[dariushenry88]

Nevermind was a great album, but I couldn't get into OK Computer. I didn't understand what was a big deal about it. Loveless, however, is the best album of the 90s. It's a great album.

[irishmusiccentral]

Couldn't agree with you more Darius.

[SkydivingKnife]

You know darius, the thing is, no one gets into OK Computer at first. Usually it seems, well, 'ok' at the first listen. After you listen to it 10 times, you start to realise that it's a great record. That's because most of the music is layered like an onion. You'll slowly peel away every layer to see everything. It takes time.

When you listen to it for the 80th time and still hear something new, you realise why it was perhaps the greatest record ever made.

[littlebilly666]

i strongly disagree, all music needs to come at peace with each other, you should love all albums and become more at peace, there is too much hate in the world enough mean criticisms

[skrason]

I love OK Computer. I love the songs off Nevermind, but it sounds overproduced to me, these days. I don't think that's Nirvana's fault, though.

Loveless is a timeless, gorgeous, mindfuck of a masterpiece. As far as '90s albums go, I prefer Curve's Doppelganger and U2's Achtung Baby. But, for shear originality, sonic terror and the "Oh my God I've never heard anything like this before in my life, what the hell is this" factor, Loveless is in a league of its own.

Brilliant with a capital F.

[ganstamannirvana93]

You should really listen to Cursive's The Ugly Organ. If you haven't I think you'd really like it.

[NightRanger77]

Fuck. Yes. But I like Cursive's Domestica a bit more. Nonethless they are both timeless records and easily a 5 star

[Kinshasa9200]

@skrason give a listen to talk talk's laughing stock. it's right up there with Loveless imo.

[brodieboy87]

All the best artists are self-depreciating like Shields. All the worst are full of themselves......

[djcloudstrife]

and you can back this theory up... best: thom yorke, very humble. worst: kanye west...need i say more?

[CapitainBeefhartfanO]

Loveless is quite a jewel....

also their first EP's were good too, like "Geek" or "Strawberry Wine"

[ramonesaudibert]

hahaha - flowery rotting. i love MBV!

[v1scera3yes]

i hope you understand he said "flowery writing"

he has an odd accent. although it has all the traces of a typical irish accent, he still pronounces his r's very well.

[kskopas]

flowery rioting maybe?

[02nothing]

he's talking about journalists. what do journalists do? they write. He says "writing."

[fips30537]

Glad they´re back! they can safe the current music world

[mirandansa]

What's the name of the song starting at 1:15?

[irishmusiccentral]

it's called 'Swallow'. you can find in on the Tremolo EP from 1991.

[kool4ever]

shoegazer is a fantastic genre, I still a shoegazer.

[spipper]

it is indeed splendid.

[ArtMusicRepeat]

ever heard of Anything After?

they're pretty dope :P

[superchunk321]

Released same day, month, year I was born. No wonder why I am completely in love with it. So good.

[DungeonStudio]

Is it me, or does Kevin Sheilds age? Other than the glasses, the guy doesn't look any older! Nice interview though, giving away his trickery. Can't wait to hear this latest that's promised... In 2010 after Time/Warner is nearly bankrupt! LOL

[julosx]

Don't forget this program was broadcasted 8 or 9 years ago...

[minedarea]

I saw the band live in London last week, and Kevin was the only one who looked like he aged at all. My Bloody Valentine are strangely ageless.

[razortube101]

kevin shields was born in the states,so its a mixture of accents

[DEPARTMENTofPEACEusa]

Why do Irish people insist on speaking with an english accent instead of a brougue?

U2 are brougue-less . I love Bilinda!!!!Love Love Love her!

[sonicjay007]

'LOVELESS' AND 'SCREAMADELICA'best music of the 90's...

[GuppieLove08]

Daydream Nation?

Moon Safari?

Soft Bulletin?

Blue Lines?

Souvlaki?

Ladies And Gentlemen We're Floating In Space?

The Stone Roses?

Parklife?

Whats The Story, Morning Glory?

Admittedly, Loveless is the best 90s album....but there are so many better than Screamdelica (as much as i love it)

[THeEraSerr]

Ok Computer, In Utero, The Fragile? LOL i don't even know what screamadelica is but ill check it out

[perpitbla5]

To be pedantic, Daydream Nation and The Stone Roses came out in the 80s.

[TSOAFrules13]

how about DIARY? by SDRE?

[zemechanism]

brilliant album

[julosx]

Lush's "Spooky" came out in 1992, almost at the same time as "Loveless". Two essential and unforgettable masterpieces the same year. Hail 1992 !

[andreredkin007]

Parklife? You're shitting me right? It's a good album but not something I consider monumental.

[BennyHinny]

He seems surprisingly shy. I appreciate his candor, though. It must be difficult to live in his own shadow like that.

[watashiwanachodes]

i like bilinda a lot. anyone knows if there is any interview feat her on video?

[cpokey]

Yeah, there's a video here on Youtube from Snub TV where she's in it.

Bilinda is a fox!

[mattaki]

what song of theirs is playing at 1:16?

[irishmusiccentral]

it's called 'Swallow'. You can find it on the Tremolo EP from 1991.

[TyphoidBryan]

Pick it up, Mattaki! You'll love it.

[ghost037]

God bless my good freind alex for getting me hooked on this amazing band.

[paudiosense]

he's kinda looking like Sean Lennon there

[jjj7477]

and they are BACK, concerts and NEW album..!

[silvernode]

Theres a new album? I know they are going to play this summer but even their website wont say theres a new album

[always6or7]

homeboy got pretty chunky. still a genius tho.

[random21000]

creation got their money back with oasis, so stop whining on about it!

[TheLemsipClub]

yeah, he has produced for bands like the beatings and stuff

[antifolkhero]

Its a shame that Kevin Shields is so down on his own abilities. I'm not sure why he shrinks away from his impressive work in the studio, because he could at least work on improving the sound of new bands that could use a veteran producer like him. All I can say is, a Smiths reunion and a MBV reunion are the two that I await most enthusiastically.

[KronnangDunn]

Wait no longer... There are a series of MBV reunion concerts next year in the U.K.

[irishmusiccentral]

they all also playing the Benicassim Festival in Spain in July.

[lanivag]

Yeah i met kevin in sydney after a concert when a freind and i managed to get backstage and drink half the rider. I asked him what he felt like onsatge and he said "totally inadequate". I adore MBV but i have to say that any mixer who tours with them loses all of his high freq hearing, so they always sound crap to me live.

[LunaSeaSane]

Isn't Anything is IT as far as I'm concerned.

[riffin]

Creation got a record out of it, but they didn't make back the million dollars it toke to record it.

[agamemnon60]

it didn't cost anything like a million dollars to record. that's an urban myth. it was more like $200,000. check your facts!

[gamelanplan]

The "reported" cost of Loveless was a half a million dollars. If you can believe Kevin Shields, the band really didn't know the true cost of the recording because it was funded by mostly the band and partially by Creation.

Therefore, Creation had to have made their money back and then some, and at the time I'm sure a lot of it went up McGee's nose. Then he got Sony to bail them out of their little bankruptcy problem.

[floothe]

i agree with "masterpiece". i LOVE the warped illusion of the music. it sounds like it's bending reality. thank you so much for posting this! i'm going to love whatever they do next.

[niceandeasygeorge01]

"got a record out of it", no, they got a fucking masterpiece that anyone would be proud of

[SonicCommieBlock]

great, thanks a lot!!!

[funktastic28]

@Last TV was a great series. Must be from about '96/'97

[Andrew077]

For me it's the greatest album ever, and it's also the one that I play many a time upstairs on the bus, drowning out all that "chipmunk techno" crap I hear coming from the back of the bus. Genius.

[fadsandfancies]

16 YEARS!!! later fans still wait for a follow up.

[pinkorange12]

acid and mushrooms made it

[andreslog]

Hi, someone could transcript this here?

I only can read english : (

Please : )

[obiwan521]

Kevin - can you give me a refund for my copy of Loveless? I've had it sixteen years and it still sounds like the tape is warped.

[beowulven]

Perhaps you could try jamming icepicks into your ears?

[veedub87]

Perhaps you could just keep listening to Fallout Boy.

[LarsVilaTrier]

Loveless came to me as a wave of recomendations, i finally got it.. and.. Badaboom. I just love the whole work, but cherrypicking is good too,... i love the secuencies. My favorite track is .. (haha kidding). I dont believe there is some pple that dont understand this music...U2 were influenced by this band i mean... damn, modern music is most rubbish. This album will remain to remind us all that we all can change the world... if we all become kevin shields.

[babypenguin]

Thanks a million for posting this interview! MBV just happens to be my all-time favorite pop-rock recording act, with no apologies to other music greats like the Beatles (RIP John and George), the Rolling Stones (RIP Brian), Bob Marley (RIP), etc. The interview with Kevin Shields here is short yet inspiring, and if there is one act I would like myself and my future band to be more like, it would definitely be MBV.=D

[tomochit]

(one of )best album ever

[sterlingp185]

I recently got baked to loveless before a concert.. I considered mbv the true opening band

[cromlek]

Isn't Anything is better.

[culbuteur3]

LOVELESS will remain a masterpiece for years...

[rgautam]

thanx for the add

[AOCRkid]

they need to put something out NOW.music sucks now

[JoMBV]

thank you so much for putting this up =D

[swans1997]

Even U2, have admitted, to being influenced by this band.

[gamelanplan]

Ahhhhhh... thanks a billion for posting this interview. I had the audio to this years ago, but finally I see the visuals.

Kevin is still cute with a little meat on his bones.