Sparks' monkey business
POP LEGENDS GO APE OVER NEW ALBUM COVER
IN one of the most extraordinary careers in modern pop, art-rock icons SPARKS thought they’d seen it all.
They’ve had a string of chart hits on both sides of the Atlantic, been fêted by ANDY WARHOL and influenced generations of musicians from THE SMITHS to FRANZ FERDINAND.
But brothers RON and RUSSELL MAEL scored a first when it came to shooting the cover of their — new Exotic Creatures Of The Deep album.
Russell confessed: “We had to take out CHIMP insurance.”
The legendary duo — one of the star attractions at this month’s Hydro Connect festival in Argyll — have hit an incredible run of form recently.
You've got to be provocative with music
Both 2002’s Lil’ Beethoven and their 2006 album Hello Young Lovers won them their best reviews since classic ‘70s LPs such as Kimono My House and Propaganda.
But Exotic Creatures Of The Deep, which saw the pair spend an entire year in the studio, may just be their best yet.
It’s packed with dazzling songs like Lighten Up Morrissey, (She Got Me) Pregnant and the incredible Strange Animal.
And one track in particular, Let The Monkey Drive, inspired an idea for the album sleeve.
Russell explained: “This is our 21st album and we really wanted to push ourselves.
“We really think you’ve got to be provocative with your music, both lyrically and sonically so we spent ALL of 2007 recording this one.
“We’re very proud of it and we wanted to make sure the album cover reached the same sort of standard.
“We liked the title Exotic Creatures Of The Deep — it sounds a bit like a ‘50s B-movie.
“But ‘deep’ can also mean profound and then we got the idea of throwing a chimpanzee into the middle of that imagery to add a different meaning.”
Singer Russell and songwriter Ron didn’t have far to travel from their Los Angeles studio to find the cute creature.
Russell told us: “There are places that hire out chimps to Hollywood.
Chimps aren't always as cute as you think. They can get quite cranky
“Ours was a regular $2,000-a-day chimp called Suzy. She’s been in movies and TV commercials.
“She came with two trainers and a little chimp bed so that she could take a nap when she got tired. But we learned that they aren’t always as cute and fun as they appear to be. They can get quite cranky.”
Since a full-grown chimp has the strength of three men, the stunned duo were told they had to have INSURANCE for the photo shoot in case Suzy ran amok.
Russell said: “It sounds silly but you have to take it out so that if the chimpanzee rips your arm off, you can still pay for your hospitalisation.”
Since the album is available in two covers — with the chimp replacing Ron in one and Russell in the other — photographer Aaron Rapaport had to take HUNDREDS of shots in order to get the animal in the right pose.
Russell confessed: “It was really funny. We were cracking up while we were doing it. Suzy’s expressions were priceless.”
And after their record-busting 21-night run in London earlier this year, their Hydro Connect set will see the band in top form.
Russell joked: “We’ll play fast so everyone can hear as many songs as possible.”
SPARKS play the Unknown Pleasures Stage at Hydro Connect on Friday August 19.
