Interviews Tommy - December 1996 - VOX

Paula Shutever

One of the first songs singer Tommy Scott wrote for Space, the Chris Evans-approved 'Neighbourhood' is a semi-autobiographical tale of the band's childhood.

TOMMY: Both me and Jamie (Murphy, vocals/guitar) lived in Cantrill Farm [A suburb of Liverpool, now known as Stockbridge Village] and I stayed there for 23 years. We were horrible kids; we used to go round throwing dog poo through letterboxes and bricks through windows. Although I'd like to point out that we've grown up a little bit now.

We used to hang around the streets and watch all these strange-looking people dressed all in black, like the vicar. We used to think he was a serial killer, and there was this old lady we thought was a mad monster.

What exactly did you get up to when you were growing up?

TOMMY: I'd end up in prison if I told you that, but the song is supposed to be seedy; that's what we're all about. I think people like transvestites should be brought out into the open because it makes for a more interesting world.

How would you defend yourself against allegations that "Neighbourhood" bears an uncanny similarity to The Specials' 'Ghost Town'?

TOMMY: The way it's been recorded makes the bass line sound reggaeish, but I actually ripped the bassline off Cypress Hill. Sadly, we aren't as good as Cypress Hill, so it doesn't come out like that.

Having left the 'colourful' Cantrill Farm behind him, Tommy now resides in a rather more salubrious neighbourhood, which seems unlikely to provide any inspiration for Space's next single.

TOMMY: My life is great at the moment, though if I wrote about where I live now, it would be all about old-age pensioners and the First World War.

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