Interview with Jonny Barnard from Abdoujaparov

1.Who are you and where are you at the moment?
I'm a musician and keen cyclist living in south london. I'm at home now with a beer and watching movies, still recovering from a whirl-wind trip to Africa.

2.You are playing with a lot of bands, The Fades, White Man Kamikaze, Abdoujaparov to name a few. Now you are coming with Abdoujaparov to Hamburg. How long are you in Abdou and how did it happen?
I met Les at a gig at the buffalo bar in london in 2004, I think. We became mates instantly really...he's a really cool guy. I was a big Carter fan and when he asked me to play guitar in Abdoujaparov, about a year later, I naturally jumped at the chance. Richie, Ben and Bomber are super guys too. Its always fun going on the road with them. Abdou's a bit of a big family really....ahhhh, there's international members too for Australian tours.

3.What do you like best about this band?
They're loads of fun to hang out with and the songs are great. The people I've met throught the band are all wonderful too, from Brixton to LA.

4.Do you get sometimes confuse with all your bands? Went to the wrong rehearsal room or so?
haahahaha no not really. There's times when I don't think I'll remember any more tunes but each band is different and my roles change so its always fun and interesting. The Fades have a studio where we get together and write and play music and we're there as often as possible. Abdou practice on the road really learning as we go and WMK I had to put in a bit of homework as. It's my first time as a bassist so I had to toughen up a bit, but Ilove it, it's a new challenge.

5.Please tell us something about your guitar. You are playing a Rickerbacker?
yeah I love that guitar, ever since Ii was a kid obsessed with The Beatles I've wanted one. It has a great sound and looks cool too. The Who, The Jam and The Smiths had that sound. I also have a strat which is beautiful, they are very different so it depends on my mood.

6.You are touring a lot. Is there is a big difference between the audience from different countries?
I think people are people the whole world over, wanting to have a good time and hear some new stuff. I like the different foods and accents but I haven't yet found a place with no rock and roll. Glasgow, Hamburg and Florence are amongst my favourite stops.

7.What was the best thing that ever happened to you on tour?
My wife flew out from California to Northern Ireland to meet me and drive the van for the rest of the tour. She's really special and it was a great moment when she showed up.

8.And what was the worst thing that happened?
I've slept on my guitar case outside Pisa airport, that was a low point, but I laugh now.

9.The gig on the 31. October is not your first gig in Hamburg. What do you remember from your last visit?
This drink called a Mexicana was consumed and so my memories are a little vague. There's a buzz here that's hard to define with exciting music and art.....and inventive coctails.

10.Toast On Fire is a morning show so the last question is about breakfast. What in your opinion makes a good breakfast after a gig with too much booze and less sleep? What cheers you up on those mornings?
A bloody mary is a great way to recover I find. Poached eggs on toast with mushroom and tomato is always good too. Fruit is very refreshing I'd say and I do like a croissant. Lots of Coffee too.

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