The Next Chapter for Spencer Cobrin
by Sarah Beukelman
Hit nineties drummer spills all on sensitivities, glory days, and varied plans
Spencer Cobrin supplied the beats for one of the best, and most controversial, Irish rock albums of the early nineties. [You see? That was totally the editor's misguided attempt to edit a weak opener. Better a weak opener than an inaccurate opener, I say] Cobrin was a member of Morrissey's band from 1991 - joining the group at the age of 22 - until he left in 1998. Many fans consider him to be the best drummer Morrissey has ever worked with. And who could forget the way he licked his way around an ice cream in the video for "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful"?
A couple years after Cobrin left Morrissey's band, he formed Elva Snow with Australian singer Scott Matthew. (Elva Snow's self-titled album is available on Cd Baby's website and I highly recommend it. Get it while you can.) Elva Snow has since dissolved and Cobrin has left to focus on composing for film, which he is exceedingly good at. Credits include music for the documentary My Child: Mothers of War and the film Send in the Clown. Samples of his work are available for listening at his MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/spencercobrin). Cobring's page features songs he co-wrote with Morrissey, Elva Snow tracks, and compositions for film. As a guitarist, pianist, and drummer, his music is noteworthy for its range and emotionality.
Cobrin and I recently discussed what it was like recording Your Arsenal and what life is like post-Morrissey. [Note: this was meant to be a companion piece to an "essential albums"-type column I wanted to have in the paper. That idea was shot down :(] I discovered an artist who is funny, intelligent, and yes, a little bit sweet.
Your Arsenal is one of my essential albums. What are a few of your essential albums?
Art Blakey's Indestructible, Joni Mitchell's Blue, and Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Overture.
What is your favorite song on Your Arsenal?
"The National Front Disco"
How was it in the recording studio when you were recording? Had you become comfortable working with Morrissey and you other bandmates by this point?
It was exciting but overshadowed by my lack of skill and confidence on the drums, and within myself, I was very insecure and had no self-esteem whatsoever. I had to try very hard; I was the least talented in the band and had to really dig deep.
Have you found self-esteem? Is the present day Spencer Cobrin more secure in his abilities than '91-'92 Spencer Cobrin?
Looking back and comparing myself then and now, I've grown a lot. I also challenged myself to do things I would never have done.
Morrissey fans are known for being particularly enthusiastic. Was it overwhelming or did you embrace (pardon me for saying it) the rock and roll lifestyle?
I loved life on the road. I didn't set out to be a rock and roll cliche, nor did I become one, thankfully, but i did my share of partying (and still do!) It was a joyous time. Coming off the road was very hard though - living on adrenaline for months at a time - it's not surprising people turn to paraphernalia to keep the high going; it can be quite a comedown.
How did you manage to stay away from "paraphernalia" as you put it?
Loaded question!
Do you still keep in touch with any of your former bandmates?
A couple of them wrote me recently. It has been 10 years since I've heard from them.
How did you make the decision to get into scoring? Do you long for the days of touring and live gigs?
I thought it would be a great creative outlet for me, something to explore and see if I actually had a proclivity for it. I started to meet filmmakers and test the waters. Of course I always throw myself into the deep end, but real life experience is better than books. It hasn't been easy but I'm doing something that I never thought I could do. What else lies beneath!?
I haven't missed the touring at all, which is strange. Maybe I just had enough of it. It would be fun to play live again but I don't pine for the days of old. That was a rich chapter of my life and I've moved onto the next.
Are you working on anything currently?
Most recently I scored a heist/feature film, Daylight Robbery and am writing the cello arrangements for Scott Matthew's debut album.
Do you write a lot of music for yourself on the side? If so, are you interested in working with lyricists? Just for fun?
I've been pretty busy with film and other projects recently that that is all I've had time for, but maybe when things calm down again, which they invariably will.
What plans do you have for the months ahead?
I would really like to travel for a while and get way from this damn laptop!
Your location is listed as both London and New York. In an interview you said that London doesn't feel like home. Has this changed for you?
Yes, definitely, having been in g NY for 10 years I love going back to London. I see it through new eyes. I love that everything is so green, that's the first impression one gets immediately departing the airport, green everywhere. It was shocking having not seen it for so long.
In an interview for MorrisseyTour.com you described yourself/your music as "romantic, emotional, and sad". Would you still describe yourself that way? Also referring to the the interview:[the author claims that there is a Good Spencer Cobrin who is approachable and easygoing and "other" Spencer Cobrin who is a bit standoffish]are there tow Spencer Cobrins? Which one is answering my questions?
No, not two, just confused, lost! I haven't departed from my personal feelings of musical expression, except for working on projects where you are fulfilling someone else's vision. Of course, I can assimilate that too, but I still lean towards the tragic romantic nature of art, or being, unrequited love namely.
What is your philosophy on love? [whoa, heavy/heady stuff!]
Oh boy, I'm not one to really expound on this but I suppose love is like an all-consuming sickness, if you've got it bad, it's band, but if you've got it good, you're lucky and if you've had it but lost it, it'll screw you up, it's a crazy thing.
On a fan sit from 1995 someone described you as "so painfully sweet, it was untrue" when you autographed a fanzine. Do you think of yourself as sweet?
No! Ha. I'm just not a bastard.
Are you a reader? What books do you enjoy?
I'm currently going through my Greek mythology phase, but I'm kind a picky, if it doesn't grab me then forget it.
Live Earth took place recently. Did you catch any of it? Do you think an event like this will produce any significant lasting changes?
My TV has about four channels and I don't really watch TV that much anyway. And not unless there was a shift on a global scale by big business and government now. There is obviously much more awareness and talk on the subject but how much change do you see taking place? It's way too slow to have any lasting effect. It's pathetic. America being the leading power is so far behind the eight ball on this, it has the resources and power to make a significant impact almost overnight, which is needed right now, but is leading us down a road to disaster.
What's the deal with the ice cream in the "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" video? How do things like that get into videos? Do you laugh about it now?
It was improvised. They gave me an ice cream and I just went with it - it's called being a ham! Plus I'm pretty self-deprecating. I really didn't care what people thought, seems like a lot of people took it way too seriously. The seem to get really defensive of attack me for it. That's been my experience, ti's very odd. But one has to have a laugh and I just couldn't resist it.
One silly question: who do you allow to call you Spenny? Second sill question: can I call you Spenny? [XD]
I don't allow, people just take advantage of me. {I read this imagining Cobrin saying this with the deepest of sighs. Oh the bother of being called Spenny!}
You can call me Shirley.
So there you have it!
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