Q. Do you read much and, if so, what are your favourite genres/authors?
P.C
I DO read occasionally - I like Val McDermid (I believe she wrote "Blood In The Wire", which was dramatised for TV), Ruth Rendell, Patricia Cornwell - as you can see, I like crime thrillers! I've read most of John Grisham's novels. I liked Donna Tartt's "The Secret History" and Patrick Susskind's "Perfume".
Q. You and the rest of the band always look like you have fun when you are performing at gigs. Which song or songs do you enjoy performing the most?
P.C
Is it too obvious to say that I enjoy performing the songs which the audience respond to most enthusiastically? I haven't always been entirely comfortable onstage - but perhaps with age (!) I've relaxed a little. Playing live is one of the very best elements of working in an industry which can often be frustrating - even disappointing!
Q. If there's one thing left you'd love to achieve in your lifetime, what would it be? If not, and you've already achieved it - what was it?
P.C
Please take into account here that I lived in California for six years - but at the time of asking, what comes into my head is.. the peace that I hope would come with learning acceptance. Acceptance of success, failure, who I am, what I've done, what I haven't done, where I live, the decisions I've made, what I can and can't have.. what an achievement THAT would be!
Q. Is there any other singer living or dead, that you'd like to have done a duet with and why?
P.C
This, along with any "top ten" question, is a tricky one. Why would I want to sing with a vocalist of whom I'm in awe? Nevertheless - putting aside my insecurities (if only THAT were possible!) I was very envious that it was George Michael who got to duet with Aretha Franklin! Should have been me.. and other fantasy duettists could include Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight, K.T.Tunstall..
Q. What do you think about 80's music in general? I feel that production-wise some stuff hasn't aged that well so I'm interested to hear what an artist who was working at that time thinks about it.
P.C
I think that, as in any era of music, there was some good, some bad! I agree that the eighties style of production CAN sound very dated, and we suffer as badly as anyone in this regard. However - like flares, fashion in music comes around again, whether you want it to or not! I think I can hear those flavours currently, for example, in The Editors - and especially on Coldplay's X&Y.
Q. I just wondered how you write your songs........
Im thinking especially of your solo catalogue here as you have some intense lyrics to songs like Aint Gonna Cry; do you sit yourself down at an appointed time and 'work' at writing until you have come up with a song or do you wait until you feel inspired by an event or emotion and from that point write your lyrics. Its just that you have written some stunning material and Id love to know how you create such amazing lyrics time and again
P.C
Thanks for the compliments, Lorraine! Songwriting, for me, is different under different circumstances - and is difficult to describe without sending the reader to sleep! Lyrically, if I'm writing with Richard, the end result tends to be less of a personal statement - though not always! With regard to the songs on the "Peter Cox" CD, as a "solo" artist I wrote the lyrics alone - and so the themes are entirely personal. I don't ALWAYS write from experience - but "Ain't Gonna Cry Again" WAS inspired by a particularly poisonous relationship. Perhaps that's why it seems to ring true and have meaning for so many..
Q. Out of all the Go West videos, which was your favourite to make and why?
P.C
Anyway.. my memories of making videos have become more rose-tinted with time! A video shoot is always a VERY long day - with lots of waiting about. They always need you there at 7.00am - and ALWAYS do the closeups last, at midnight, when you (I) look like Methuselah (ancient geezer). Insanity. In some way, though, they were all fun, for various reasons. Difficult to pick a "favourite" - but I like the way the "Faithful" video looks, even though it's basically just a performance film. The directors - whose names I'm embarrassed to admit I can't remember just at the moment - were very encouraging and great to work with. The video for "What You Won't Do For Love" was my LEAST favourite - sandblasted for hours in the desert - AND I look like the Michelin man! That's what a wardrobe budget of $1.99 will get you..
Q. do you have an tips for me on what makes a song successful in your opinion and how would i get someone to sing one of my songs?
P.C
I have NO IDEA what makes a song "successful" - do you mean, financially successful? My advice to you - for what little it's worth! - would be to write, write and write more. Don't let yourself become disheartened and don't give up. If you like to collaborate, work with as many different writers as you can. Find co-writers who complement your strengths. Keep your lyrics honest and meaningful to YOU. Having said all that, I COULD have answered this question "I don't know"!
Q. Where do you keep your Brit Award
P.C
My Brit is in storage at the Port Authority in LA along with the debris of my life in California. One of these days..
Q.I very much enjoyed hearing you play your solo stuff recently. Is there a style of music that you haven't yet tried that you'd like to have a go at??
P.C
Thanks for your interest. I don't know that I pursue or avoid particular "styles" of music - I think rather that my influences appear in anything I do. I began as a "rock" singer - and still thought of myself as such until GW found themselves on the dance charts. I'm not a fan of country music - and then found myself singing "Always On My Mind" on "Reborn". I don't see myself ever doing the "swing" thing, but - how much longer will audiences want to see me sweating my way through a rock/soul set? Who knows. I guess I'll just keep doing the next thing that appeals to me..!
Q. Joe Cocker did a cover of " Ain't Gonna Cry Again ". I would just like to ask you, what does it feel like when another great artist records your work
P.C
I paid, personally, for the gold disc that Joe Cocker's "No Ordinary World" CD earned. Does that tell you anything? Such experiences don't come along often - for me, at least - and I was hugely flattered to have a song recorded by an artist whose records I have bought and enjoyed over the years. Fantastic!
Q. There are some voices, of which yours is one, that do not stop at my ears but continue on and touch my heart and it is a wonderful experience. Often it is just a note that is hit, for instance there is a moment in “Me and Mrs Jones” that makes my toes tingle. At other times it is when you hum or sing notes between words, it is difficult to explain but it’s a beautiful feeling. My question is do voices touch you in this way and if so who’s? I wondered if, because you are a singer yourself, voices were not quite as magical for you. My voice is so bad it could be used to quell prison riots, sad for me, but devastating for anyone who happens to be within earshot when it escapes from my body. The last part of this question is probably impossible to answer but can you imagine what it would be like if you could not sing?
P.C
I know EXACTLY what you mean - at least in terms of other singers! The way Lewis Taylor ends a phrase - his vibrato - sublime. My toes tingle too! It's well documented that Marvin Gaye aspired to be a balladeer and rebelled against the kinds of songs he was required to sing early in his career - but the SOUND he made! There is a moment in "Anna" from the "Here, My Dear" album (he gave her the royalties in a bitter divorce settlement) when I persuade myself that I can hear all the pain and frustration of his situation - just.. indescribable. Paul Rodgers, Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, Joni Mitchell, James Brown, Chaka Khan.. I could go on!
Q. Following on from that last question. If you hadn't 'made it' and been so successful in the music industry, what would your alternative career have been?
P.C
Having a talent (for which I claim no credit!) has allowed me to follow the path of least resistance in my life - music IS my "career", though to my cost, I've never really thought of it as such. There are only so many openings for soup jugglers - and I could never compete with Brooky - so the short answer is - I have no idea..
Q.Can I ask - If you could spend 24 hours with a celebrity (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
P.C
This is one of those impossible questions - I never think about this kind of thing and am sure that the moment I commit myself I'll think of a much better answer! How about Charlize Theron - and could we be naked..?
Q. I am interested in Astrology so, if you don't mind, I would like to ask you what time you were born?. Mr. Hadley was posed the same question during the Q & A at the Fandango (not by me I hasten to add!) and phoned his Mum from the stage to ask
P.C
I have phoned my mum, as you do, and I was born at 5.45am. Ever the considerate one..!
Q. I get the impression you are quite a fan of Stevie Wonder - impeccable taste! - if you could only ever listen to one Stevie song again, what would it be?
P.C
As you may have seen, above, I find "favourite" and "top ten" questions short-circuit my limited capacity to think! Nevertheless - in my humble opinion, Stevie stumbled on a particularly rich creative vein during the "Music Of My Mind"/"Talking Book"/"Innervisions" era. I might have to fight for the right to have all three albums in their entirety..
Q. If you could choose 5 things to take with you to a desert island.....what would they be and why?
P.C
you ARE having a laugh! I'll give this some thought and answer in, say.. 2050?
Q. Out of all the awards that you have received in your career, is there one award which means more to you personally than the others. If so what is it and why it is so special to you.
P.C
I don't remember having won MANY awards - so the Brit would be the most meaningful one - though the "independent" award presented to us by fans at the Birmingham Symphony Hall 20th anniversary show was also very thoughtful and much appreciated. The Best Newcomer Brit was voted for by radio listeners - not by record industry accountants! - and that's why it is particularly special.
Q. How would you like to see Go West, and yourself in your solo career marketed by the music industry? What do you think the outcome would be with the budgets they put behind some of the "new" talent these days if applied to GW/you now?
P.C
This could be a LONG answer - I'll do my best to keep it short! As I understand it (!), with a few exceptions, the sale of music is oriented towards a young audience - who wouldn't be remotely interested in a band like ourselves. Despite YOUR interest - for which we thank you! - a more "mature" audience spends dramatically less on music, having more important things to worry about - children, for instance! Generally - it would obviously be to our advantage to have a major label deal within which our music would be PROMOTED and our profile raised. All the effort we put into CDs and records goes largely unnoticed - which can be very frustrating - but.. that's the way it is!
Q. I just wondered who your favourite female singer was and why.
PC.
ANOTHER favourite question - aargh! Here, then, is another list.. Joni Mitchell - moving performances of intelligent songs written, it seems to me, from personal experience. Diana Ross - perhaps not a technically brilliant singer, but a unique, instantly identifiable voice and part of the soundtrack to my teen years. Chaka Khan - an AWESOME, raucous, unique voice that has spawned a thousand would-be soundalikes. Mavis Staples - "I'll Take You There" is one of my favourite records ever - STILL sounds great today. Gladys Knight - close your eyes and listen to that rasp! Fabulously soulful. Billie Holiday - wonderful lazy, atmospheric, tortured, stoned performances. Soul of a different era! K.T. Tunstall - a naive physicality that is sexy as hell. Thank goodness for real contemporary talent! I really liked Amy Winehouse's "Frank" CD - she may be channeling Billie Holiday somewhat, but she writes convincingly and intelligently from an 18/19-year-old point of view. I think I remember that! Bored yet..?
Q. When you tour the country I imagine you see very little other than the venue and the nearest coffee shop....where in the UK would you like to spend off duty time, and why?
P.C
You are absolutely right about the touring experience. If I'm totally honest, I'd rather be on the beach in California - but Cambridge is a pretty town and I've had lovely times there. It would have to be summer, though..!
Q. I wanted to ask you, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
P.C
I think I've answered this repeatedly above, but in case you missed it - I was heartbroken to have to leave California. I might not choose to live in Los Angeles if I could have my pick - but I do miss the long days, the sunshine and the beautiful light. No real winter to speak of - I'm not one of those who loves "the seasons". Please. You can take winter, rain, cold and snow and..
Q. Have you had the urge to be in, or been offered any parts in a Movie or Musical .
P.C
I've never been OFFERED a musical role, but I did AUDITION for "Phantom Of The Opera" a couple of years ago. It was quite an experience - "character-building" is the term which comes to mind - too long to relate here. I'm not sure I'm cut out for the stage in that context - the powers obviously agreed! - but such opportunities must be pursued for the potential profile they offer..
Q. I was wondering what you listen to when you get stressed out?
P.C
My current first pick on my i-Pod is usually Lewis Taylor - but I will confess to a guilty pleasure. I really like Vangelis and think it's very soothing listening - though I'm always reminded of Phoebe in "Friends" who dabbled in massage and encouraged her clients to relax to the "plinky-plunky music.."!
Q. Hello Mr Cox, You and Richard seem to be so in tune with one another when you are on stage that each performance is magical for the audience to watch, in 2004 I saw you at the Bridgewater Hall [Manchester] with Tony Hadley with whom you also seemed very in tune. In 2005 I saw TH with Martin Fry [not as good as you] and it made me wonder if their was anyone else you would like to tour with if so who and why?
P.C
Thank you for those very kind words. The tour with Tony was hugely enjoyable - but it was, at the time, a "one-off" idea. Having said that, we have been discussing ideas for the form any projected "Motown" tour might take - and it WOULD be very nice to work with a female singer. I realise it could be difficult to persuade a high profile vocalist to entertain such a tour - but it's fun to picture that scene..
Q. We all have our favourite films. If you could pick your favourite film of all time, what would it be?
P.C
Not only a "favourite" question, but one about film - one of my most passionate subjects! This COULD take forever. I'll spare you, though, with all the previous provisos, and say.. Nikita. I know, it's a combination of rock video and boyish thriller - but I think it's SUCH a romantic film too. When Nikita's competing admirers stare at each other across a table (she's gone by then) - the unspoken shared loss.. I cry my eyes out every time. I MUST call my therapist..
Q. As Martin Fry recently appeared on "just the two of us", are you ever tempted to anything like that, as you were brilliant in "reborn"...
P.C
Thank you for your compliment regarding "Reborn..". I'm glad I did it NOW, though the prospect terrified me at first! I WAS momentarily envious of Mart when he landed "Just The Two Of Us", though I know that even HE was unsure about it. Still - the current reality (sorry!) is that we must take (almost!) any opportunity to raise our profiles. As you saw, ALL my fears regarding such shows were realised early on for poor Martin. It's SUCH a risk to enter into a situation in which one has so little control. Typically, Martin dealt with it graciously, professionally and pragmatically - and what else could he do?
Q. If you could go back in time to witness any major historical event, which event would it be and why?
P.C
Another testing question - history NOT being a strong point of mine. Since no intelligent answer comes to mind (no change there, then!) I'll say that it always feels strange to me to see the 1985 "LiveAid" concert, knowing that we were not there, because that was the year of our "15 minutes". A case of unfortunate timing. Does that count as a "major historical event"?!
Q. After hearing your last EP (Game For Fools), have you thought of exploring contemporary Jazz any more?
P.C
As I've said somewhere above - I don't think too much about "genres" - except perhaps, my loathing of a certain kind of twangy "country" music! I wasn't thinking "jazz" when I recorded "Game For Fools". My own internal brief was to pick songs I love, without particular thought to whether they were "commercial", to record them with an understated production (thank you, Phil Taylor) and to be as brave as I could bear with the vocal sound - LOUD and naked. I know that not everybody loved the EP - and it's a cliche for an artist to say "it's the best thing I've ever done" - but I AM very proud of it. I just feel that compromise was kept to a minimum. As for the future? I'll just keep doing the next thing that appeals to me - and YOU will decide whether it's "jazz" - and whether you like it or not!
Q. What can instantly make you happy and what can instantly make you angry?
P.C
I've thought a lot about this question since I read it. It makes me happy to wake up on a hot, sunny day with nothing to do! What makes me angry? Other peoples' lack of awareness and consideration. Don't get me started!
Q. Did you enjoy your Solo Tour ? - I was wondering how you felt performing on your own without Richard - Did you miss the banter with him on stage - Also - do you ever feel nervous before a Gig - with or without Richard.
P.C
Yes, I enjoyed the solo shows very much. It DOES feel unfamiliar to perform without Richard - I've always said that he is one of the funniest people I know. He makes me laugh - and so the temptation is to let him do a good deal of the onstage chat - but the solo shows gave me a chance to take that responsibility in my own way and practice connecting with an audience - a skill I'd like to develop further! I'm not especially nervous about SINGING before a show - I HAVE been doing it a long time now! - but I want every show to be as good as possible for those who've paid for tickets - and one never knows WHAT might happen onstage, so there are always a few nerves!
Q. I was wondering do you ever listen to current chart music and if so which artist/artists do you follow.
P.C
Hello! I have on my i-Pod, amongst others - Coldplay, U2, Lewis Taylor, K.T.Tunstall, Amy Winehouse, John Mayer, No Doubt.. but perhaps some of these reflect the fact that my tastes are not particularly "current"! I did really like Orson's "No Tomorrow".
Sugababes make interesting records, in my opinion - but generally there aren't many VOICES currently which excite me..
Q. Just wondered how you prepare yourself before going on stage? Your presence always seems very relaxed when you stride out but are you a bag of nerves, really hyper or completely chilled out about it all?
P.C
As you can imagine, each performer has his or her own way of preparing - Brooky seems mystified that his pre-show stick exercises might be distracting for others! - so, when possible, I like to have a quiet room where I can take a few deep breaths and pull myself together - do a bit of pacing! I'd say I am nervous in a controlled way - fairly chilled, I hope! This isn't always possible - on "Reborn" I often shared a dressing room with Tony, who has a regime of warmup exercises (very sensible) which he likes to do LOUDLY..
Q. If you had a dinner party and were able to invite a special guest (living or dead) who would it be, what would you cook and what question would you ask them?
P.C
Such questions seem to demand deep and meaningful answers - however! I'll be flippant and say - Charlize (again), for whom I'd cook some nice prawns with chilli, lime and a little garlic, after which I'd ask her.. "can I help you with that dress.."?
Q. If tomorrow was the very first day of your music career, knowing what you know now after all these years in the industry, what direction would you go in and how would you like it to differ (if at all) from the way it has gone for you?
P.C
Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20.. if we were starting now I imagine that our direction would be influenced by whatever was currently catching our ears - the main difference I would at least ASPIRE to would be to focus as completely as possible on the task at hand - writing, recording and performing NONSTOP for as long as it lasted. SO many wasted opportunities.. but on the other hand, it hasn't turned out SO badly!
Q. What was the last CD you bought?
P.C
The last CD I bought was Prince's "3121" - I can't believe that I've left him out of all my "top ten" answers so far! I have almost everything he's ever done.
Q. what is your ideal Break/Holiday?
P.C
If money were no object? It would be a LONG stay in a very luxurious hotel somewhere hot and sunny where I could laze by the pool until I were DARK and eat and drink extravagantly after the sun had gone down. California? Hawaii? New Zealand? Australia? Perhaps a tour..!
Q. Will either you or Go West ever tour here in the LA area? If so, when? I would love to see you perform live, but my situation is such that flying or traveling outside of the area is near to impossible.
P.C
Thank YOU! I think it will be clear to you now that I would LOVE to play in the US and particularly in the LA area! I nag the management all the time. We are pursuing such opportunities as there are - but the biggest obstacle is making such shows affordable. I am hoping that the latest discussions will result in shows in CA - but before you begin holding your breath, I HAVE heard such rumours before! Let me just say - it's not for want of wanting!
Q. What is the best and worst part of being a famous face?
P.C
Tricky question! There are, of course, degrees of fame, and I certainly wouldn't claim to be a "famous face". I don't enjoy "fame" for itself - but I think you know that - though I'd be lying if I said I don't enjoy recognition for my singing or our songs. It's been my experience that the more recognisable I have been, the better my "career" has been going. While this is obviously desirable. one could also argue that it's the price one pays - depends on one's personality! The "worst"? I guess I'm quite a private person, so I can feel uncomfortable in certain situations. It can be difficult to balance one's accessibility with one's own agenda - I appreciate the support we get from fans and don't like to disappoint, but it isn't always possible, for instance, to be available after every show.. and I was disappointed not to have a few words with YOU at Bilston! All in all, though, I have a great "job" despite its frustrations. I hope I don't sound as if I'm complaining. You DID ask! X
Q. It has been said that if you use your imagination to picture yourself in your dream life it can happen. What would be your dream life?
P.C
You've pretty much answered your own question! I could go on (and on and on!) about material things - possessions, circumstances - but as I've said, I aspire to acceptance of the things I can't change, which I think would lead to peace and happiness. It has to come from within, right? How New Age is THAT?!
Q. We all have such a great time at your gigs so I was wondering do you ever get time to go to gigs and if so who do you go to see?
P.C
I'm not crazy about the environment one often finds onesself in at gigs - which only makes me more appreciative of your support - and that of all our fans! It has to be something really special to drag me to a show, and while I realise that I sound like a broken record, I've only been to one show this year which was Lewis Taylor (surprise!) at the Jazz Cafe.
Q. On your Solo Tour you sang John Mayer's Bigger Than My Body - which was ruddy fantastic might I add. I'm guessing that it's one of your favorite John Mayer tracks and just wondered what are you other faves?
P.C
I'm glad you like John Mayer too. I was introduced to his music by someone who thinks he sounds like me, vocally. It's difficult for me to be objective - but I wish I were the Grammy winner and not he! "Your Body Is A Wonderland" and "Come Back To Bed" are both cleverly simple, sexy songs to which I can certainly relate! - but I particularly like "City Love" from the first album because I remember looking at the sleeve notes to see who played that fab guitar solo - only to find that it was he. Showoff!
Q. Who would you say are/were your greatest musical "influences" (contemporary and/or not quite so contemporary!), have they changed over the years, and who are your "hero(es)" from a songwriting point of view?
P.C
My influences HAVE changed, as new talent emerges - but looking back over my answers here, I see that the recurring names tend to be from the past! The first records I bought (and yes, they were ACTUALLY records!) were reggae - Bob Marley of whom I'm a HUGE fan, and reggae vocal groups of the late sixties. My initial vocal influence was Paul Rodgers - probably before your time - he is the singer on "All Right Now" which you MUST have heard at some party somewhere. A perfect example of what used to be called "@#%$ rock" (sorry!) and whose band Free was recently cloned by Rooster. HIS influences - and therefore mine by association - must have included Otis Redding and all those soul singers of a certain era. From there it was Motown - Marvin Gaye is probably my favourite ever male vocalist. My tastes then became more eclectic - probably due in large part to endless "listening" sessions with Richard, who introduced me to all sorts of artists. Songwriters? More difficult to pin down, though Joni Mitchell would be on the list. The Motown songwriters. I think U2 have written some great songs. Prince - fantastic. The list (and my answer!) goes on..
