I think my younger self would be more amazed to know I was doing an interview for 'The Spectator. Gary Kemp More Quotes by Gary Kemp More Quotes From Gary Kemp I detest that saying Everything happens for a reason; its nonsense. Gary Kemp detestnonsenseeverything-happens-for-a-reason We never had books at home, but my dad, seeing how keen I was to read, took me to Islington Library when I was about eight and we pulled out two - a Biggles and a science fiction novel. I never got the ace fighter pilot but fell in love with all things to do with the future and space. Isaac Asimov soon became my guiding star. Gary Kemp dadstarsbook I love England. I don't really like places when they're too hot. It's my Celtic blood. Gary Kemp englandhotblood I am a person who holds the aesthetic high. I have suits made in Savile Row. Gary Kemp aestheticsuitsmade I am a metrosexual and into male grooming - I moisturise, I exfoliate. Gary Kemp metrosexualsgroomingmales The thought of going on tour with people like Toyah Wilcox is just appalling. I'm certainly not tempted. Gary Kemp temptedpeople I keep my house tidy, because then I can think clearly. I feel the same about myself. Presenting yourself well is a working-class thing - my dad was a printer, but he wore a tie most days. The ungroomed look belongs more to the middle classes. Gary Kemp dadclassthinking Being onstage is a way of harnessing your vulnerability and using the adrenaline to be creative. It's a very vulnerable place to be - technically, emotionally, and physically - but I love it. Gary Kemp vulnerablecreativeway In the '80s the band was 24/7. You were only as good as what you were producing at any given moment. Now my family is more important. I also think having the shock of your mum and dad dying humbles you slightly. Gary Kemp dadimportantthinking Why do I find it hard to write the next line? Gary Kemp nextlineswriting Punk was sort of an angry stance against things that had happened just before, against the pop of glam rock, against progressive rock. Music had become very staid and it was about the playing and people obsessed. Eric Clapton was God and we needed an enema within the art form, and punk did do that. Gary Kemp glam-rockrocksart Don't give pain to others. Gary Kemp paingiving It's a shame because we experienced probably the greatest thing - in art, in pop - we'll ever do. And it would be good to sit around and talk about it. Gary Kemp shamewould-beart My life is routine-obsessed. I'm OCD, and if I'm not at home, I always get up early and exercise. I don't crash and burn at night, not these days, so early-ish to bed. At home, I have three small boys who bring me down to earth with school runs and endless meals. Gary Kemp homerunningschool The breakup of my first marriage was my first failure; I had to learn to accept that and support the people involved. The court case brought against me by three of the band was awful, but learning how to let it go, move on, and come back together as friends and creative partners was a life lesson above any other. Gary Kemp life-lessonbreakupmoving My brother Martin is two years younger than me. There has never been any competition between us - clearly he was the good-looking one; he was also very sporty, and I am not a football player. Gary Kemp i-ammebrotherfootball My father had inklings of my cultural aspirations. He would take me to the library, things like that. But he wasn't one of those dads who had read George Orwell and was a member of the Communist party. We had no books at home. Gary Kemp melibraryhomefather I certainly wasn't a fan of Thatcher's politics. People liked to label us as children of Thatcher. What nonsense. The real children of Thatcher came in the 1990s, and had no interest in politics. The Oasis, Britpop scene. Gary Kemp politicsrealchildrenpeople I have a terrible fear of travel. Just before we go, I start to panic and tell my wife I don't want to go. It's ridiculous. But actually it's only when it's somewhere I've not been to before. Gary Kemp startwifefeartravel
