In an exclusive interview, we caught up with The Prodigy frontman Keith Flint to talk fast cars, tattoos and favourite bands just after he’d taken a spin around a Hockenheimring racetrack in a Formula 3 car. He was pretty excited to say the least…
What was racing the car round the track like?
Engines, circuits and horsepower and going on stage are my greatest passions and to do the two in one day is just incredible. To drive this circuit is awesome. I’m just blown away.
What do you motor around in when you’re not racing Formula 3 cars?
I’ve got a ‘nice’ car and I’ve got some not-so-nice cars, but I don’t like to go on about what I’ve got as it’s not very cool. I drive a load of old Range Rovers that I do eventing in, so that’s generally what I drive.
You can race any other band on the Sonisphere tour. Which would it be?
It would be Motorhead, although I’d like to make it fair and race everyone.
They’re not on this tour.
Aren’t they? Oh God, I thought they were. Are you sure?
Pretty sure. Rather than race everyone, how about you and just three other bands in an elite Sonisphere Road Rage Rally?
Okay, Metallica obviously. I want to see Lars going around the track as I’m sure he’s a nutbag. Pendulum we know and love and they’re great guys, we’d definitely have a laugh with them, so we need them along.
Would you beat them?
I don’t go on the track without any other thought than, ‘I am going to beat them’. That’s the only thought I can possibly carry with me. There’s honour in being competitive
Okay, so who’s the final high-octane act?
I don’t know Mastodon, but our guitarist knows them well as he used to tour with Manson, so let’s bring them along as we might make some new friends.
You could definitely compare tattoos. What’s your favourite tattoo?
I generally don’t have one. I kind of get them done and then I go off them and have to get another one done. I don’t like any of them really.
What’s your most recent one?
I think it’s a wolf chewing on a tank.
Does it mean anything?
No. I’m very impulsive. I get a design, draw it up and then think about it later. Generally if there’s an artist I like somewhere on tour I’ll go and see them. So if you’re in the States or wherever you are it’s easy to do.
Talking international tours, how do German rock crowds differ to others?
I must admit, to me, crowds don’t vary. German crowds are into their music and it’s always great to play for a crowd that are properly into their music as they get it and they appreciate it. Going on stage is the best thing on the road. It’s all about that hour and the worst thing is the travelling.
So what’s playing on the tour bus at the moment to relieve the tedium?
Graham Coxon’s new album and The Brakes.
Do you have a favourite band?
I kind of gave up favourite bands and am like the guy who doesn’t have a football team. If I was pushed, I’d have to say Rage Against the Machine. They deliver every time you see them and never let you down. They’re 100% every single time. They’ve just got to reform and get out there and start touring with us.
Finally, what changed your life?
My first involvement with The Prodigy changed my life quite significantly, so I’d be silly not to say that, but I’d say listening to All Mod Cons by The Jam was when I decided I had to be sharp, I had to look good, be cool and be a bit of a face.
http://uk.sonispherefestival.net/2009/0 ... e-prodigy/