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Gnomes, scarecrows, dust and guitars A Spare Bricks interview with Syd fan magazine editor, Denise Vacca Interview by Rick Karhu
Spare Bricks: Do you remember when you first discovered Syd Barrett's music? Denise Vacca: In 1979, I was 11 years old. My brother–in–law at the time would listen to Floyd often. One day he let me hear "The Gnome" and my life was changed. I loved the song and wanted to find out more about this "Syd Barrett" who wrote such a fanciful number. The very next day I bought A Nice Pair–the rest is history. SB: Can you describe what it was about his work that was so compelling to you? DV: At first listen it was his voice. Then as I dove deeper into his music I found it dreamlike, expressive, fun and intriguing. His music always reminded me of songs my grandfather use to play and sing to me when I was a little girl. Syd's songs held magic in the notes. SB: When did the first issue of Dust and Guitars come out? DV: Fall 1997. SB: Describe what you strive for in an issue of Dust and Guitars? DV:I think our first issue's intro says it best: "Dedicated to ground breaking discoveries and impossible speculations about your favorite man and ours–Mr. Roger (Syd) Barrett. Once a pop star, Syd wrote dozens of songs that we as fans find beautiful, haunting, childlike, magical, breathtaking, fanciful, pure genius, fascinating and simply terrific! We never seem to tire of his work, too bad he did. All of us here at D&G hope to offer a fresh look at Mr. Barrett's work and life, as well as adding a measure of honor for all the happiness he has brought each of us. " SB: What sets it apart from other Floyd magazines? DV: We'll print anything as long as it's only about Syd–no other Floyd talk is really mentioned–there's enough blab out there about the The Wall already. Also, Billie French, my co-editor's conspiracy stories are quite unique. SB: What is the magazine's general character or tone? DV: Low budget and down home. SB: It must generate some interesting feedback from readers. DV: Most people love it. Once in a while Billie will get someone e-mailing him angry about his Roger Waters bashing or something, but for the most part I think people are very happy when their issue arrives in the mail. SB: Who does the cover artwork? DV: All the covers thus far have been done by Billie French. Issue 5's cover will be illustrated by one of our readers–whenever that one's ready to come out. SB: Do you have a favorite Syd Barrett song? DV: I love 'em all, but that's a cop-out. Hmm, favorite song changes a lot but I'm always partial to take 5 of "It Is Obvious." Take 5 of "She Took A Long Cold Look" is great too. Both are just so beautiful in lyrics and music. The raw feel adds a measure of innocence too.
SB: I recently interviewed a screenwriter who attempted to turn Syd's story into a screenplay. The attempt was shot down, partly by Roger Waters. DV: Somehow that doesn't surprise me. I'd love to hear what Billie has to say about that. SB: How do you feel about Syd's story being told in film? DV: If it was done in good taste without making Syd out to be some raving loon then it would be an excellent undertaking. However, I think we all know how people like to play up the "Syd's crazy" shit, that I wouldn't like to see. I'd love to see something from Syd's point of view, but we all know that's not gonna happen. SB: Right. People seem inordinately fascinated with the "Syd's crazy shit" even to the point of bothering him to this day. If you could say anything to people who make it their hobby to stalk Syd, what would it be? DV: Leave him alone, he's mine! Nah, just kidding– people will do what they want. I don't think it's a nice thing to do really. I just want Roger Barrett to be happy. If people stalking him makes him unhappy then a real fan wouldn't do that. Not to say that if I happened to be in Cambridge I wouldn't walk down his street although, I would never knock on his door, or camp out in front of his house–that's just rude. He wants his privacy. I respect that and so should any true Syd fan. SB: Where do you stand on the old debate over whether Syd was really insane or not? DV: Insane is a relative term. He knew why he did things. I wouldn't venture to call a man insane because he didn't want to stay in the music biz. He may have been known to do some odd things now and again, but hey there are lots of reasons people do things they do. I don't think Syd was insane. SB: Do you have any favorite Syd collectibles? DV: I have so many... the most recent item is the tribute double LP Asyd Vinyl. A friend of mine has a song on it. He does a version of "Flaming". I also have a Syd Barrett lunch box that's pretty nifty and a painting of Syd from a friend that's really great. Oh yeah, and then there's the giant poster of the band from the Blaises Club–that's pretty cool... and the outtakes and the original pictures from another well known Syd 'zine editor. I like to roll around naked in all my Syd memorabilia. ; ) SB: There is a belief among many Floyd fans that David Gilmour owns unreleased tapes of Syd's music. Do you believe that material exists? DV: Well, I have two theories about this. One is that he does have some, knows where they are and just doesn't think we should hear them. Or two... he did have them but like most have done with tapes at one time or another, they've gotten put away in a closet somewhere and got misplaced in a move or spring cleaning. If he does have any he's not gonna let them out unless he was desperate for cash and I don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon. I'd love to hear something if it exists, then again wouldn't we all.
DV: Oooooh, this is a fun one. I have to think about it a bit... "It's Raining Men." Nah, just kidding–perhaps something original–"Astronomy Domine" would be cool but that's too obvious, same with "Interstellar Overdrive." Maybe "Lucifer Sam" or "Gigolo Aunt." Rick Karhu is editor of Spare Bricks. Special thanks to Denise Vacca. |
SB:
Finally, a bit of a silly question: if Syd suddenly came out of retirement
and rejoined Pink Floyd, what song would you like them to open their
world tour with?