Interview with Self-Taught Synthpop Blast Barry Cooke of Firesign from MySpace

I caught up with Barry Cooke of Firesign, a one-man band from the UK, on MySpace and he graciously agreed to this interview. Barry describes his music as "atmospheric, melodic pop". I say it's just plain fun. Once When I Was Young, my personal favorite, is a perfect example of Firesign's high-energy, funky groove and yet the smooth synthpop take on Elvis Presley's Love Me Tender just blows me away!

Let's learn more about Barry and his music:

M.M.: Please, introduce yourself to my readers. What is your full name?

B.C.: Hi, my name is Barry Cooke

M.M.: Where were you born? Any brothers/sisters?

B.C.: I was born in London of Irish parents. I'm the
youngest of five children and have three brothers and
one sister.

M.M.: Your musical persona is Firesign. How did you
choose that name?

B.C.: Well, I don't think I have a particularly musical
sounding name. It's okay, but it doesn't really have
'star' quality. The day I first put some of my songs
on the internet for others to listen to I had been
reading some stuff about star signs and so it was in
my head. I am a Firesign - Sagittarius to be precise -
not that I'm especially interested in it, but it
doesn't sound too bad. I had thought going under the
name of 'Free great music to download'.

M.M.: Well, I like it...I'm an Aries.

M.M.: How long have you been a musician?

B.C.: Ever since I can remember I always knew that I
could play the drums. It came quite naturally to me.

M.M.: Why did you become a musician? Did your family
encourage you?

B.C.: Well, I started off just playing on biscuit tins,
boxes and anything else I was allowed to bang. I think
it was more nerves than much else. I used to get told
off a lot at school because I was always tapping and
banging on things. My family neither encouraged nor
discouraged me. My dad used to play the harmonica and
he had a great singing voice but it wasn't something
we ever really talked about much.

M.M.: Did you have any formal training (such as voice or
instrument)?

B.C.: No, none at all. I'm not against it. My daughter is
having piano lessons and she seems to be enjoying it.

M.M.: What instruments do you play?

Barry Cooke of Firesign in his at-home "studio".

Credit: Barry Cooke

Copyright: Barry Cooke