Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS & RELATED ARTICLES

The Guardian NOVEMBER 25, 2014 - by Rosanna Greenstreet

BRIAN ENO: "I WISH I'D GOT MORE O-LEVELS" - AN INTERVIEW FROM 1992

As four of his classic albums are reissued on December 1, here's a Guardian Weekend Q&A from 1992 with the man who shaped the soundscape of modern music - on his love for Mother Teresa, hatred of weatherman Michael Fish and predicting economic disaster.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Having exactly the right weapons.

What is your greatest fear?
Drought, fallen arches, running out of batteries.

With which historical figure do you most identify?
Catherine of Aragon. Amazing hats!

Which living person do you most admire?
Mother Teresa. She is also very short.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Tendencies towards liberalism.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Inaccuracy.

What vehicles do you own?
1981 Datsun Cherry, 1987 Austin Montego, 1990 Skoda.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Daily haircut.

What objects do you always carry with you?
An electrical screwdriver, a battery tester, a small blade, a magnifying glass, a credit card, a cash card, a photograph of myself meeting Mother Teresa.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Very short hair.

What makes you most depressed?
Being at the low end of the European exchange-rate mechanism. (Is this a premonition? - Ed.)

What is your most unappealing habit?
Barking.

What is your favourite smell?
Rain after drought, Sloan's Liniment.

What is your favourite word?
Squelchy.

What is your favourite building?
Barking town hall.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Dire Straits.

Which living person do you most despise?
Michael Fish - for being inaccurate. (A weatherman on English TV - Ed.)

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Honesty.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Absolutely", "never".

What is your greatest regret?
Not getting more O-level results.

When and where were you happiest?
In the summer before my O-level results.

How do you relax?
Smoking.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A waterbed with big loud speakers.

What talent would you most like to have?
Accurate weather prediction.

What would your motto be?
Get it on!

What keeps you awake at night?
Getting it off.

How would you like to die?
At the hairdresser.

How would you like to be remembered?
Easily.

Nerve Net, The Shutov Assembly, Neroli and The Drop by Brian Eno are reissued on December 1 on All Saints Records.