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Coldplay: Our songs are a jinx on X Factor (The Sun interview, Part II)

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busybeeburns

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THERE is one huge drawback being in a globally successful rock ’n’ roll band on the road – missing The X Factor.

Coldplay have been touring the US for most of the latest series, missing out on the phone vote drama and bickering judges on the TV talent show juggernaut.

 

Before I could even ask a question in the band’s dressing room in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday night frontman Chris Martin insisted on a full update from the show.

 

He said: “We haven’t seen The X Factor for about ten weeks. Is Laura still in, that nice girl from Manchester (She’s actually from Bolton)? She was our favourite. She should win.”

 

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"There's a feeling anything is possible" ... Coldplay on Obama

 

Breaking the bad news of her exit a few weeks ago took the wind out of Chris’s sails.

 

He added: “If she’s gone, I won’t watch it now. I heard Yellow was covered recently. It’s a true sign that you have made it when your songs are covered on The X Factor. It’s the pinnacle of our career. Every time I have seen someone cover one of our songs they always get kicked off. I think we must be an X Factor jinx.”

 

The band — Chris, Guy Berryman, Will Champion and Jonny Buckland — can be excused for failing to keep up with TV back home. They have played 70 dates over the last few months during the daily drama of the American election. The historic events have made a huge impact on the band, especially election day, when they were staying in New York.

 

Chris, 31, said: “The whole process and Barack Obama’s victory is the best thing that has happened in decades. “It is difficult for everyone at the moment but there is a huge feeling of optimism in America. It has been a brilliant time to be here. There is a feeling that anything is possible. Obama’s ideas are great.”

 

The personalities involved made a strong impression on Chris, especially unsuccessful Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. He joked: “The Palin situation did my head in. It is a moral dilemma when you fancy someone but you don’t agree with anything they say. Do I want to kiss you or run away? I haven’t had that feeling since school. All girls have something incredible about them. In fact, I would definitely sleep with Ann Widdecombe. I stand by that comment, even when it’s all over the internet.”

 

Guy, the bass player and heart-throb of the band, joked: “I wouldn’t say no to Sarah Palin.”

 

Funny

 

Coldplay are proud to have their finger on the pulse of burning global issues. They played a huge part in Live 8 in 2005 and Chris campaigns for Oxfam and other children’s charities. All four band members are parents to young children and the horror of the Baby P story reached them in America. Guy, 30, who has a two-year-old daughter, said: “One of the worst crimes anyone could commit is abusing a child. It’s saddening. I can’t actually believe that people could do it. I don’t know what must have happened for them to do something like that. It is beyond comprehension.”

 

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"I would sleep with her" ... Coldplay on Ann Widdecombe

 

Another story that turned their heads in America was the BBC “Manuelgate” prank phone call scandal. Chris said: “The Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross situation, now that was world news. Jonathan Ross is funny and he’ll be back. I have to say, if someone phoned me up and said they had done that to my grandaughter I would be livid.”

 

Since the launch of their No1 album Viva La Vida, I have ribbed Coldplay about their stage outfits, suggesting they must stink because they wear their French Revolution-style jackets so often — but Chris hit back. He said: “You’ve had a go at us for wearing the same outfit, but Russell Brand has had the same outfit on for ten years. The truth is we’ve got lots of them, and they are clean. We’ve got a new look to unveil after Christmas anyway. We’re going for the Manuel look. It’s very much Spanish waiter influenced.”

 

The band arrive home on Friday to start the UK leg of the tour. They are buzzing about getting on stage over here to show off their brilliant live show. Chris said: “I feel like we have had to leave Britain for a bit so people would want us again. I am nervous about coming back.”

 

Steam

 

Will, 30, added: “We can’t wait. We feel like we have been away for so long. We are in a great rhythm now and the show is full steam ahead.”

 

One thing that comes through is how concerned they are about how the credit crunch is hitting people in the UK. The band are worth a reported £10million each, but spending time in their inner circle, they certainly aren’t flash. Chris wears a pair of terrible old Hi-Tec walking boots — something your dad might wear for gardening — and Jonny seems happiest when he is in his football kit. They are incredibly generous and look after their nearest and dearest. They have also set up a fund which they all chip into that they plan to use for a charity project in the future.

 

The cost of their tickets for the huge summer dates next year at London’s Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and the Old Trafford cricket ground in Lancashire has been playing on their minds. Chris revealed: “I bumped into a DJ the other night who had helped us out right in the beginning. He has lost a lot of work because of the recession. Everyone is affected. I hope our ticket prices are fair. We want everyone to have the chance to come. It’s about £50 to go and see Tottenham, so I reckon £45 and £55 for our gigs is good value.”

 

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"I would be livid" ... Coldplay on Brand

 

Chris was also keen to let Sun readers know that stories about the band’s possible retirement couldn’t be further from the truth. He said: “Being in a band is like being a footballer. We have an age limit. It is fine to be a middle-aged band but you have to have put the work in. By the time the Rolling Stones were our age, they had five times as many albums. Before you get to 33 you’ve got to have at least five albums. We don’t want to sit around and drink cocktails. This is our moment. You only get this chance once. We have so much we still want to do. There will be a point when we are all so bald as a band we won’t be able to appear in public. Once Guy loses his looks we will give up.”

 

The band’s work ethic is seriously impressive. They released their Prospekt’s March EP this week and next year they plan to record a new album, tour Japan and Australia as well as play their huge outdoor gigs in the UK. Will said: “We have a limited shelf life so we want to make hay while the sun shines, while we are still happy and willing and able to do it.”

 

I asked Chris how he would like to be remembered. He said: “What will the Coldplay legacy be? I would love to get into Madame Tussauds but it’s never going to happen. I don’t think we will be remembered. Somebody else will come along and that’s the best thing about music. It’s always evolving. Maybe we’ll get covered occasionally on a P&O ferry with a guy playing a keyboard and his wife singing.”

 

But Jonny, 31, sums it up best: “The ultimate dream for me is to have a Coldplay panpipe moods cover.”

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1971294.ece

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notlost92

notlost92

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We’ve got a new look to unveil after Christmas anyway. We’re going for the Manuel look. It’s very much Spanish waiter influenced.

 

Wait, are they actually going to get a new look? Because that would be really exciting!

 

Chris was also keen to let Sun readers know that stories about the band’s possible retirement couldn’t be further from the truth. He said: “Being in a band is like being a footballer. We have an age limit. It is fine to be a middle-aged band but you have to have put the work in. By the time the Rolling Stones were our age, they had five times as many albums. Before you get to 33 you’ve got to have at least five albums. We don’t want to sit around and drink cocktails. This is our moment. You only get this chance once. We have so much we still want to do. There will be a point when we are all so bald as a band we won’t be able to appear in public. Once Guy loses his looks we will give up.”

 

YAY, finally a straight quote from Chris debunking the rumors! What a relief :)

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ApproximatelyInfinite

ApproximatelyInfinite

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haha, i wonder whether the "new look" thing is true. i mean, it's obviously not going to be waiter-ish, but i wonder if they're going to change up the look at all. frankly, i think it's about time.

 

and YAY for straight-talk (mostly) from chris on the issue of retirement. maybe NOW people will stop going out of their skins.

 

thanks for posting :D

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gigg

gigg

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[]"Guy, the bass player and heart-throb of the band, joked: “I wouldn’t say no to Sarah Palin.” [/i] and in the earlier one he said he had had a wild night with Guy......

:inquisitive::inquisitive::inquisitive:

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