#6 Tom Meighan, Kasabian

Hi Tom, how are you?
Great thanks.

You do realise that this is going to be a barrage of stupid questions, don’t you?
Yeah, OK.

What’s the best freebie you’ve ever had?
I got an iPad the other week. I haven’t worked out how to set it up yet.

Isn’t that more like, “What’s the most pointless freebie you’ve ever had?”?
They’re quite pointless, but everyone’s got one. I want in.

What’s the most immoral thing you’ve ever done?
[silence] The most immoral thing I’ve ever done? [slowly] I threw a brick through a window when I was a kid…

So you’ve done nothing more rock’n’roll than that since you were a kid?
Or probably fireworks in the school halls, firecrackers, stuff like that. [hurriedly] I dunno, go on!

You little tearaway. What’s your favourite sandwich?
Cheese and salad cream.

Sounds horrible. Are you pregnant?
I hope not.

How would you describe your music to our mum?
Pop psychedelic.

Our mum is casting her Billy Joel CDs into the swingbin as we speak. Who would be in your dream band?
[thoughtfully] That’s a fucking good one, that is mate. Drummer would probably be Zak Starkey, he’s a massive friend of mine. Guitar I’d have Dave McCabe from The Zutons; wicked chap. I wouldn’t mind Jack White in there, and probably myself. Haha!

In order, what are the three most expensive things you’ve ever bought?
Probably my apartment in Leicester. Second thing is my ET bike.

The actual bike from ET? Did you buy it at auction?
It’s not the actual bike, I wouldn’t be able to get near that, mate. I’ve got a copy of one. And then the third one is a jacket. I forget the make. [phone rings elsewhere in the room] Hold on a sec mate… [in background] No Helen, I’m just talking to the geezer now. Yeah we’re running a bit late. I’ll text you when I’m done. [back on the phone] Sorry about that, mate.

No trouble, you’re a busy man. What’s your passion other than music?
Reading. I like reading. I know it’s a bit boring… actually fuck that, I’m not gonna say reading. I’m gonna go on… [pause] …puppets.

Puppets. Why puppets?
They blow my mind. Ha ha!

What kind of people really annoy you?
Just fucking know-it-alls.

I knew you were gonna say that.
[oblivious to The Fly’s bonhomie] Everyone’s always got a fucking opinion, them kind of people.

By the same token, what kind of people do you think you really annoy?
Everyone!

Last one Tom. Can you tell us a funny rhyme with your name in it?
It’s not really that funny, but someone’s called me Tiny Tom before. Serge calls me Thomas Mayhem. I like that one.

If you do get round to writing a book, that’s a good pseudonym. Cheers Tom, bye now!
And you brother, cheers for your time!