Paul Savage of O Emperor
What's on your rider?Ham sandwiches and cashew nuts.
What would be on your fantasy rider?Better ham sandwiches and dry-roasted peanuts (we realised that we don't really like cashew nuts).
What's your pre-gig routine?Usually race into the closest chipper and become incredibly bloated before going on stage.
What's the best gig you've been to?Probably Radiohead in the Big Top in Punchestown about 10 years ago. They're my favourite band, so seeing them for the first time in a relatively small space with a manic crowd was incredible.
And the worst?I briefly passed Black Eyed Peas on stage at Oxegen last year. The only right note I heard was a note to self: to never come within 100 miles of their stage again.
What are your favourite and least favourite venues?To watch a gig and play in, Vicar Street is amazing – the sound is always spot on and it's really easy to see the act. The Pavilion in Cork is also a great venue for similar reasons. Least favourite: anywhere that has two flights of stairs when loading in gear.
Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?Morrissey was at the Choice Prize the other week. Didn't see him myself, but I found out from the hordes of male thirtysomethings in trances around the venue.
Most embarrassing on-stage moment?Saying at a German gig: "Kraftwerk are full of shit – the autobahn is not fun at all." Nobody got it.
Groupies. Would you?Due to restraining orders I can't answer this question. Sorry.
Have you a special stage wardrobe?Generally anything that's ironed on the day.
Do you like to meet and greet fans after the gig?It's always good to meet people who like your music. The ego is a flower that must be watered on a regular basis.
Who's invited to your aftershow party?Anyone who wants to come – we've never had a problem with over-crowding.
What's your best tour story?When on tour in England last year, we ended up at a party hosted by a sculptor who turned out to have a rather large glass penis chandelier hanging in his living room. It also shot lasers from it. That was interesting.
In conversation with TONY CLAYTON-LEA. O Emperor play Galway tonight.
