Manchester has it's own pride and London has it's sort of pride and sometimes we can be a bit mean to each other, but I think if we dig the music we can get on really well.
Graham CoxonI think now, more than anytime I can remember, bands are sounding pretty similar whether they're English or American, from Manchester or London... or Leeds or Welsh or Irish.
Graham CoxonIt is ridiculous that I have so many shoes I don't wear. I worry that they're sitting there, being sad.
Graham CoxonWhen Blur first started and we were playing Manchester the Hacienda was the place to go. That was where a lot of exciting stuff was happening and London was pretty dead.
Graham CoxonIโm constantly embarrassed. I fidget and twist my hair and pull weird faces and stutter. Some days I feel quite confident, then others thereโs a microscopic flaw about myself physically, which will make me embarrassed to walk the streets.
Graham CoxonPlaying and singing at the same time is pretty cool, but sometimes it's difficult to know when you can just really let go a bit because you've got to get back to bloody microphone and sing some stuff.
Graham CoxonA singer for me is more like someone who is standing alone with a microphone like Scott Walker, rather than someone who is bashing a plank and is spitting all over a microphone.
Graham CoxonIt's mostly Mars Bars and peanuts and cheese and you go to the fridge and there's Red Bull and Beer. It's not like people are holding me down and pouring beer in my face.
Graham CoxonBeing a singer now I have to get all fussy... I must have my ginger and lemon and all that.
Graham CoxonYou know Manchester is always a bit of a hard place for people coming from London, just with all the history. Manchester has this immensely huge and healthy history musically.
Graham CoxonIt's a bit loose and the people in my group have got other groups. They don't have to have a total allegiance to me. I think that's really a bit weird and showing some weird insecurity.
Graham CoxonThere are a lot of people who can do it on the guitar and sing at the same time, but I think what is harder is bass players that can play the bass and sing.
Graham CoxonMost of America don't even listen to music probably. They just go raccoon hunting or something.
Graham CoxonIt was quite nice meeting up because we went through a lot together and we haven't really seen each much other to communicate one to one for quite a long time.
Graham CoxonThere's a focus that hasn't been there for ages and ages and some American bands are sounding quite English like they did in the late 70s and early 80s.
Graham CoxonI think it's better if blokes can admit that they can have crushes on other blokes. I've probably had crushes but never really sexual crushes on men.
Graham CoxonI had a breakthrough, I think my life just became calmer, I gave up drinking. My priorities changed as I had a young daughter. The group didn't want me to record for the Think Tank album... so I took it as a sign to leave.
Graham CoxonI suppose my little Martin acoustic guitar is quickly becoming a prize possession. It's a lovely guitar. I bought it at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2001 before I had cleaned up.
Graham CoxonLike, Mission Of Burma to me always sounded almost like they were part of the British Arty New Wave. I kind of like that. I like not being able to tell the difference.
Graham CoxonThere were some extremely good teachers there that were great artists really in their own right. It was actually very hard to concentrate on getting down to going any work being an art student especially when it's a flighty thing at best.
Graham Coxon