Who’s the most famous person you’ve had through your doors?

In the early days after taking over the business, we did have Neil Tennant from Pet Shop Boys drop in almost stealth-like one Saturday. During last years’ Folkestone Triennial, we had a visit from BBC6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs. She has such a distinctive voice and look, I knew it was her as soon as she walked through the door, so I was able to properly greet her and enjoy a chat.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

I’ll be honest as I have to say that I never really went to gigs before I reached my forties! Yes, I probably missed out on loads, but we’ve certainly made up for lost time over the past 15 years.
I’m going to have to say that one of my favourite gigs was at Wembley Stadium on Father’s Day in 2007. Laurie and I were there to see Muse during their Black Holes and Revelations tour (magnificent album – check out the last track “Knights of Cydonia” – Matt Bellamy’s father played in the Tornados in the 60s, who released a single called “Telstar”. You will hear a tribute to that single on KoC).
Supporting Muse were Biffy Clyro, My Chemical Romance, Shy Boy and possibly one other that I have forgotten. To say that Muse blew the roof off the stadium with their show is an under-statement! Amazing!
At the time I never knew anything about “the Biff”, but Laurie and I had got into MCR’s “Welcome to the Black Parade” album that same year. Needless to say, the album is an iconic piece of emo/punk!

What’s you’re all-time favourite book?

Tricky one this, as I used to be a real bookworm before I finished secondary school, and then it all went a bit Pete Tong with going out etc and not finding time to read.
Having said that, we do have quite a lot of books and one of my favourites has to be Goodnight Steve McQueen by Louise Wener (from 90s indie band Sleeper, who I met after their gig at Folkestone’s Quarterhouse). It’s been a while since I laid my eyes on it, but I do recall it was a bitter-sweet story (funny/romantic) about someone in the music industry that was constantly being told to grow up and become an adult and get a proper job.
A slightly different read was Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”, which I found really compelling and read a fair bit of that when we were on holiday in Dubai, not long after it was published.

What’s your all-time favourite film?

This is a no-brainer for me – Planes, Trains and Automobiles with Steve Martin and John Candy. Absolute treasure and one from the John Hughes 80s collection which everyone must try and watch at least once! I would be amazed if anyone doesn’t well up at the end. “Life Moves Pretty Fast” is also a great collector’s boxset featuring many tracks from John Hughes high-school 80s movies.

If you could only listen to 3 songs for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Not easy this…. but if I have to choose three songs, they’ll need to offer a bit of everything, so here goes….
Phil Oakey – Together in Electric Dreams (for the sheer euphoria and happiness of the song)
Bob Marley – Waiting in Vain (total summery chillout feel-good tune)
Tony Blackburn – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (I only knew of this after a friend played it on their local radio show one Saturday morning – it then became my wake-up alarm) – such an upbeat Northern Soul-esque track!

Who would form your all-time Glastonbury line-up (past and present)?

So we’ll mix up some of the classics with some modern stuff.
Headliners would be Muse and Queen (with Freddie), supported by Rolling Stones, Beatles, Coldplay, The Cure, Human League, and Fleetwood Mac.
We’d have a whole stage of solo artists, to get people singing along – including George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Dusty Springfield, Michael Jackson, Kylie, David Bowie, Elton John and Madonna.
Music from the 21st century will feature Arctic Monkeys, Heartworms, Wet Leg, Tame Impala, The Last Dinner Party, Laufey, Arcade Fire, and Gorillaz.

What’s you’re all-time favourite record?

I can’t answer that, as my favourite record used to change on a weekly basis! One week it was Maid of Orleans by OMD, the next it could be Club Country by The Associates!
However, you have asked so I should give you something even if it may not be my all-time fave – Silent Running by Gorillaz was repeatedly played when I discovered their excellent Cracker Island album 3 years ago.

What’s your favourite part of Record Store Day?

The buzz that you get from people’s excitement and hope of getting their hands on something they have wished for. All the time, effort and organisation that goes into getting the physical products - and ultimately the customers - into the shop on the day, is totally worth it!

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