THE CULT Guitarist Talks About New Album

HMV.com recently conducted the following question-and-answer session with THE CULT guitarist Billy Duffy:

HMV.com: What instigated the reformation?

Billy: I was contacted by Ian [Astbury, vocals] via the management team of THE DOORS OF THE 21ST CENTURY.

HMV.com: How does being on Roadrunner compared to being on Beggars and Atlantic?

Billy: Very early to tell but my feeling is that Roadrunner operate very much like Beggars Banquet and we enjoyed many happy years there. THE CULT seem to work better within a framework of a big indie label.

HMV.com: In an interview with ChartAttack.com back in March this year you mentioned the album as being "trashy." Do you still feel the same way?

Billy: Whilst not specifically remembering the quote 'trashy' I think the new album has a freshness and immediacy about it that feels good and honest and of these times.

HMV.com: Is there a track THE CULT would like to cover?

Billy: As far as a song both Ian and I would like to cover maybe something by DAVID BOWIE from the early 70's.

HMV.com: Ian filled Jim Morrison's footsteps by singing for THE DOORS OF THE 21ST CENTURY/RIDERS ON THE STORM. Is there anyone you would like to play for?

Billy: I would love to play with a reformed FREE... unlikely, but miracles do happen.

HMV.com: You released the self-titled album [with] CIRCUS DIABLO in [July 2007] with former CULT member Billy Morrison amongst others. Are there any other past members of CULT's various guises you would like to work with?

Billy: As far as going back to play with past CULT alumni, I can't confess to a burning desire as for the most part there is no going back. However, I highly regard the musicianship of several of them.

HMV.com: Do THE CULT have any plans for the future?

Billy: THE CULT never plan for anything.

HMV.com: You co-star in the horror film "Sin-Jin Smyth". Can you tell us more about your role and how it came about?

Billy: I never actually made my "movie" debut. The film got stalled and is yet to be completed... still into having a go at it but you can never believe all that's written on the Internet, can you? I actually was up for scoring the soundtrack but got offered the chance to play a psychotic FBI agent who specialized in torture... hard to resist, eh?

HMV.com: THE CULT were very vocal about the plight of the native Americans, their lyrics represented this aspect in the past, it is now invisible? What is the reason?

Billy: I beg to differ regarding the Native American thing, The SOUTHERN DEATH CULT was far more into that stance overtly on record than THE CULT. However, in the very beginning as the DEATH CULT in 1983 it was still evident in the early recordings. I think after that Ian and the band's support became a little less overt professionally but still as passionate. More of an Ian question, really, to be honest.

HMV.com: The band keep splitting up and then reforming. Is it because in your solo projects the chemistry is not right with others?

Billy: The splits tend to happen with burnout. We have to hibernate and re-charge. That's why and how we have lasted so long and are still active and making new music. Ian and I have a chemistry when we write together that is undeniable for me it's a blessing and I never count them.

HMV.com: You and Ian both came from a politicised punk movement is there any of that energy in what you do or do you feel that there is no "gain" from that particular stance? Are there any issues that you wish to talk about but never get the opportunity to do so? How do you feel about the "war on terror"?

Billy: I think Ian has really never lost his connection to that era. Seeing the SEX PISTOLS at the second legendary Lesser Free Trade Hall gig in Manchester...July 20th, 1976 (and still having the tickets and poster to prove it) changed my life forever. As far as using any politics or anything else as a "stance" in music could be considered a bit dodgy. I'm into it being fun...serious fun! Personally I'm into being kind and trying to cause no harm or damage to this world or any other. That's my politics. I can find nothing more terrifying than having no air to breathe, for instance.

HMV.com: Do you feel part of or any affiliation with the "Great American Dream" and what would you say to Mr. Bush?

Billy: I have always liked the positive attitude and a demand for liberty and the pursuit of happiness that America represented/represents to me. Do not quite get the same vibe in the UK. There is also an equality and work ethic and a lack of a class system. As regards politics, here I cannot vote as I am a British citizen but am as horrified by the last few years as any other sane human being on the planet. It has to and will change for the better, I'm sure. Worse things happened in the last century and we got through it What i would say to the president is: "Buy the new CULT album 'Born Into This' and listen to it many times on your well-earned retirement on a desert island."

THE CULT performing the song "Revolution" in Valencia, Spain on July 1, 2007: