[Z]

Hey everyone, I came across this concept on another forum and thought it was quite an interesting idea, it works in a different way to the "Hot Seat" we used to run on here in that it's a proper interview with an individual member, not just random questions being fired at them by people. If you'd be interested in being interviewed then let me know, but I'm only going to do these every couple of weeks and will choose members who I know better to begin with, to give me more material to work with. Please read the interview and let me know what you think of the questions I chose to ask, what you'd like to see more of/less of in future interviews and, of course, members you'd like to see be interviewed!

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Interview 1 is an interview held with long standing TiBB member Shaun. With nearly 23,000 posts, he is one of the prominent members of TiBB and has been a registered member since May 2007. Here's what he has to say about music, his outspoken nature on the forum, his plans for the future and which TiBB members he would like to Shag, Marry and Kill!

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Greg:
*Hi there Shaun, I thought I would begin this interview by discussing music with you, as it is one of your passions in life and you're well informed on many aspects of music. Firstly, why is it you take such a high level of enjoyment out of music?
Shaun:
*I can't really explain. I think it might be something that's always a constant in peoples' lives - you're either brought up on it, or you aren't. But that aside, I think it's great for escapism. Bending lyrics to how I feel is quite fun, particularly when I come across a song I don't need to bend... and obviously having a song to shake yo' ass to is an entirely different greatness.
Greg:
*Bearing both of those extremes in mind; what is your opinion on the current state of the music business in the UK? Is it more difficult to find genuine bands these days, when reality TV acts are what the mainstream feeds to us?
Shaun:
*I think it's probably easier than ever to find music people like - but as an industry, music is commercial, shallow, materialist, egocentric... the moulding of an average Joe from pauper to pop star was always a lovely story to begin with, but glazing over the fact these people have no artistic vision is sad. It's going to lead to people aspiring to be people with no aspirations...other than 'being famous', or whatever. I think what's wrong with music is more wrong with society in general.
Greg:
*Do you find it particularly exasperating that the state of society and the state of music go hand in hand; or do you have faith in the nature of the music industry to prevail, that is, to be constantly shape shifting into something new?
Shaun:
*Well crap-pop music isn't exactly a new phenomenon. It's been going since the 80s, and a lot of good music's been made since then. There's always going to be people making good music, so I guess I have faith in people. It's just a matter of whether people are willing to search for it, or just sit back and accept what's given to them: as is with TV (why else would soaps exist?). Look at actual art forms: literature, art itself - they're dying trades. So I don't have faith in the industry.
I also worry that pretty much every aspect of rock has been explored already. There can only be so many riffs and hooks out there. That's probably why dubstep, grime, whatever have risen. Rap or Hip-Hop is relatively new...
Greg:
*If you could recommend five musical artists that people should explore in their lifetime, who would they be?
Shaun:
*Um. Well I say it a lot, but my first would obviously be David Bowie... there really is something for everyone. He's dabbled in so many genres: glam rock, electronic, d&b, folk, jazz. And his work with images has pretty much paved the way for how commercial pop music is now.
The Beatles - you can't ignore them and their legacy.
James Brown - he's looked back on now as just that eccentric performer who sang Sex Machine - but his stage presence is probably unrivalled. And the impact he had on soul, which leads on to R&B...he can't be underestimated.
Led Zeppelin - because they were really the first to break from the traditional '3-minute-track' idea. They have all these 10, 20+ minute opuses that's just insane.
and Bob Dylan - because he demonstrates how political and powerful music can be.
Greg:
*Good choices; I think TiBB could do with some culture. You're well known for your outspoken honesty on TiBB; what causes you to just go for it and rant at people? Do you care about any consequences you may face when you say controversial things?
Shaun:
*Well no, because I'll never meet any of these users. I'm stupidly quiet in real life. But online I can just rant and opine as much as I want. And to be quite brutally honest, the majority of TiBB are young, stupid, ignorant people. As for consequences...well I might not win Most Popular...and I might get an infraction...but that's it. Not fussed by that at all.
Greg:
*Do you ever worry that you'll go over the line and end up being banned for good?
Shaun:
*Yeah, it makes me wet the bed.
No. It's only a website.
Greg:
*You said in a previous answer that you're quiet in real life; do you think a forum like TiBB allows people to express sides of their personality that they don't get to in their real life?
Shaun:
*I think all forums, social networking sites, etc. do. The people who post the most and act the weirdest on either, tend to be the quietest in real life. The real outgoing people you come across at school or work are...well...going out.
Greg:
*Very true! How is your life off site?
Shaun:
*Erm. Fine. I just float through a boring routine - I'd say I was in a rut, but there's only really a year left of that before I go to Uni and let my hair down and shake my money-maker etc.
Greg:
*What do you intend on studying at University and what would you ideally like to do with your future?
Shaun:
*English. Preferably literature but I'd be content with language, or both...just the study of English essentially. I haven't looked at double honours really - there's so many that go with English that I don't know where to start. In future, I'd like to become a journalist. But I wouldn't say I have much confidence in my writing skills. I'm also painfully lazy. So...I'd ideally like to sit around, eat pizza, smoke pot and laugh at movies.
Greg:
*You're one of the most notable members on the forum; opinions of you are split distinctly into two categories - those that love you and find you hilarious, and those that hate you and find you aggravating. Do you have any closing words you'd like to direct towards either or both of these groups?
Shaun:
*Hiya xo; and change. I'm undeniably a good person. Bitch, get with it.
Greg:
*Finally Shaun, could you please pick three TiBB members, one to fall under each category: Shag, Marry and Kill.
Shaun:
*Oh god.
shag...erm. At risk of both embarrassing him and myself, I find Salv very attractive. But I also think he might be like 3 years younger than me. Meh, it's legal.
marry - GypsyGoth. She strikes me as an unlimited source of kindness and humour. She's just lovely.
and kill - there're a few. But one that actually infers blind rage when I think of him is andybigbro. He's just such a condescending, camp (and closeted), illogical little arse.
Greg:
*Thank you Shaun!

[Lee.]

That was actually a good read

[Braden]

OMG, that was an amazing interview. I hope there are more to come Greg!

[Tom4784]

That was a good read, very funny in parts but I expect no less.

[arista]

Here is rare one - a Edit Bit from Gregs Secret stash
from 2008

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Greg:
Hi thereArista how are you
Arista :
Great ,WD40 is Cool
Greg:
what music gets you going?
Arista :
Marvin Gaye (2005 Remix) Lets Get it On
and Jimi Hendrix 1969 Bleeding Heart.
Greg :
who turns you on in TIBB?
Arista :
Hannah

[Z]

Ever since that interview, arista's just been teasing me and refusing to have another interview with me, such a flirt.

[Tom4784]

Lmao Arista.