Ahead of The Sleeves’ Cambodian tour, vocalist Keith Goodman answers the same questions posed to rock legend David Bowie in 1974
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The Sleeves are a rock ‘n’ roll band from Hong Kong composed of expatriate Brits. Formed in 2007, The Sleeves are stalwart performers on Hong Kong’s indie circuit. They’ve played big time festivals both in Hong Kong and internationally. They released an album in 2012 that has received its share of both critical and popular acclaim. In March, they’re doing a mini-tour of Cambodia.
Touring Cambodia? Did they lose a bet? What went wrong?
Let’s find out what’s in store for The Sleeves by asking them some of the same questions asked of David Bowie in 1974 in an interview with Mirabelle, a long-defunct magazine for teenage girls. He was Ziggy Stardust that year, a conquering invader from Mars. Just 10 short years later, a mere decade intervening, and he was singing and dancing with Muppets in the film Labyrinth. How did Bowie fall so far? Has the same fate already befallen The Sleeves? How did they end up wandering amid the Muppets and singing songs to them in this confusing maze we call Cambodia?
How did the tour of Cambodia come about?
Keith Goodman: I was in Phnom Penh for a family wedding a couple of years back and it happened to coincide with the Penhstock festival, where I met the guys that run Sharky’s and Andy from Led Zephyr, and generally had a great time watching all the bands and supping ale. Ever since then, I’ve been trying to make this happen. It’s taken a lot longer than I would have liked, but better late than never. We also played a couple of shows in Hong Kong with the Cambodian Space Project so there’s always been a connection. Cambodia also has a history of guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll, which, as a guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll band, we find appealing.
David Bowie: N/A
Do you ever regret that so much of your publicity is about your image?
KG: If “image” means our album and poster artwork, then absolutely not – that’s something we put a lot of thought into.
DB: People must write about me as they feel.
Criticism has been leveled at your stage act. People says it’s too bizarre for the young fans who are attracted to your shows. How do you respond to that?
KG: Fuck ‘em.
DB: Convention is relative to the age. I’d have been totally shocking years ago. Today, I shock a few people. Tomorrow, I’ll be old hat.
What prompts you to be permanently on the hop? “Unable to pin down” as you say?
KG: Keep moving or die. Like sharks.
DB: It’s just the sort of mind I’ve got. A butterfly mind that flits from one thing to another.
I guess some people consider you a weirdo. Is it you who is different… or the rest of us?
KG: We’re all weirdos, but some are weirder than others.
DB: I’m different and I sincerely hope everyone is different.
When you look around at other people on the scene, whose image do you rate?
KG: In Hong Kong, The Sinister Left, Bank Job, 9th State and The (Not So) Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindlers.
DB: I really rate Mick Jagger. He’s a man with a very strong image.
Can anybody make it today without an image?
KG: If and when we make it, we’ll let you know!
DB: Yes, I’ve always believed there was more to being a singer than standing on the stage and having the girls scream at you.
The Sleeves (http://www.thesleeves.hk/) present their Never Get Out of the Boat Tour on Tuesday March 3 at Oscar’s Bar, #29 St. 104 and Saturday March 7 at Sharky Bar, #126 St. 130.
Actually, in 1974 David Bowie was just “Bowie” and was promoting Diamond Dogs on a world-wide. And Labyrinth was 12 years later in 1986, not ten.
Actually, I took the questions and his answers from a 1974 interview with David Bowie done by Mirabelle magazine. The header for the interview is as follows:
January 1974 – Mirabelle
20 QUESTIONS TO DAVID BOWIE
ABOUT HIS IMAGE
Questions are given as – Mirabelle:
Answers are given as – David:
So apparently not everyone in 1974 was clued into the fact that David Bowie was to be called “Bowie.” As far as the Diamond Dogs tour goes: Yes, I’m aware that was what he was doing publicity for. Calling him Ziggy Stardust was meant to evoke his career at its very height, not reference what album came out that year (and he was still playing material off of that album when doing TV appearances etc all the way up through the 70’s.) As far as Labyrinth being in 1986, not 1984: Correct. I was approximating, I never looked it up, because I didn’t care.