by TheEqualizer on 14 Oct 2009 05:07
For those with slow internet connections:
Stewart Copeland, the manic beat-keeper for the Police, writes books like he whacks drums — it's all rhythm and instigation, firing first, thinking later. In his new tell-all, Strange Things Happen, the 57-year-old American spins a wild travelogue of escaping lions in the Congo and beating Prince Charles in polo.
But the memoir's unmistakable hot spots involve his volatile relationship with British bandmates Andy Summers and That Other Guy. In one juicy chunk of prose, Copeland refers to Sting as "the Flying Dutchman," "the Lion of Judah" and "Captain Queeg" all within the span of 100 words. It's awkwardly hilarious.
And yet, when all is said and done, Copeland adores his fellow Policemen — or at least that's what he told the Stuck in the '80s team during a recent interview. Here's an excerpt from the chat:
After reading your book, Stewart, we're pretty sure you dig p---ing people off.
I do like p---ing people off! But with love in my heart. I like rattling people's cage. And sometimes, occasionally, I slip over the line just a crack, maybe.
You especially love pushing Sting's buttons.
Oh, yes. It's my lot in life. It's my job. And he also rattles my cage, and if it weren't for each other, the Police wouldn't be what it is.
In the book, you offer messy glimpses behind the curtain during the latest reunion tour, especially a famously disastrous show in Vancouver. Did you catch grief from Sting and Andy when you blogged the disasters on your fan site?
Oh, yeah.
Did they forgive you?
No. They appreciated that it was just Stewart being Stewart. I'm kinda the noisy member of the band. … In the Police, it's not a comfortable environment. It's not a cozy nest. We push and prod each other. You have to leave your ego at the door because you're going to get beat up by those two motherf------.
Any feedback from them on the book?
No, not yet. I can't imagine Sting will be reading it. He never watched my movie. He'll read every part of the book except where it comes to him. He's completely allergic to reading about himself or looking at pictures of himself.
So he's not some vainglorious ego freak?
Totally not. That's not Sting at all. He's really not that guy that so many people think he is. He's completely the unpompous person, the most unvain person you could meet. He's the real thing. He's all music. And he's all pain, too. The brain chemistry that he was born with doesn't make him a happy guy. But I think from that pain comes his great art.
So we have to ask: Will there ever be another Police album? How about a tour?
Probably not for a new album. I hate going into the studio to record drums. And the most painful version of something I already hate is going into the studio with the Police. It's incredible to go out on the stage with those two b-------, who are monsters of music. But to go into the studio without 80,000 people cheering us on, it's a hell pit.
There is no bigger gong.
