Episodes
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
Episode 7: Trauma, with Adam Ficek of Babyshambles
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
In the early 2000s – post-Britpop – an influx of indie bands emerged, beginning with New York based The Strokes. This paved the way for the Hives, The Vines, The Soundtrack of our Lives, and then a host of British bands – the most popular of all of them, The Libertines, as fronted by Pete Doherty and Carl Barat.
Around 2003/4, following Pete and Carl's falling out in relation to drug abuse, Pete formed side project Babyshambles, which took off in its own right. After a turbulent start with drummer Gemma leaving the band, Adam Ficek – previously a musician in the band The White Sport – was brought on board as Babyshambles' drummer.
My overriding memory of these early 2000s years was the extent to which drug use and litigious activity by rock stars were getting equal prominence in the press (if not more) as the music itself. While Britpop spread a message of invincibility, togetherness and youth, there seemed to be darker, sinister undertones connected to the drug culture around the 2000s bands which, for me, started to become synonymous with that time and which led to a noticeable isolation, separation and exclusivity within the indie music scene, spilling out into the behaviour and attitudes of the public fan base. I observed this shift acutely while at university when I was working a part-time job in a ticket box office of an indie club in my late teens. I really wondered about this phenomenon and welcomed the opportunity to speak to Adam Ficek of Babyshambles who was in his musical ascendancy around this time.
On speaking to Adam, I became fascinated by his trajectory into the psychotherapeutic world after experiences with Babyshambles. I was keen to hear about his own understanding of how his turbulent upbringing led to deep emotional wounds that got re-triggered within the rock music industry climate of the time. We talk about that upbringing, his lifestyle on the road within Babyshambles, his exit from the band and subsequent healing process that led him to a new music journey and academic career in music psychology and psychotherapeutic practice. We also explore Adam's interest in the way sound production affects us emotionally.
Helplines and support listed below (hover over text for hyperlinks).
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Episode breakdown:
Intro
0.00–0.20 Babyshambles, 'Killamanjaro' Live at S.E.C.C.
0.20–0.38 Adam Ficek, 'Sun'
0.38–1.40 Intro to Adam
1.40–1.02.25 Interview with Adam Ficek
52.35 Adam Ficek, 'Interlude'
1.02.24–1.03.43 Adam Ficek, 'Sun'
1.03.43–1.06.58 Signposting, helpline support and guidance for getting therapy
1.06.58 Listener feedback from David Walker and news
1.07.38 Outro
1.07.41 Babyshambles, Killamanjaro Live at S.E.C.C.
Contact Adam:
Adam Ficek: @adamficek, @musicandminduk, @amusiciansmind, www.musicandmind.co.uk
Support, helplines and guidance mentioned in this episode:
Helplines and charity support: Samaritans, CALM, Music Minds Matter, Help Musicians UK, Mind, Cruse
Accessing therapy: IAPT, Mind, or visit GP
Private therapy directories: Counselling Directory, BACP, UCKP, Welldoing
Additional support:
1 North East, Music Support, Help for drug addiction
Sunday Aug 04, 2019
Episode 6: Managing rockstars, with Alan McGee
Sunday Aug 04, 2019
Sunday Aug 04, 2019
Music industry exec Alan McGee has witnessed the moving tide of the music industry over the last 30 years. Given that he's worked with some of the most notorious rock stars in history – including Bobby Gillespie, Liam Gallagher, Pete Doherty and Shaun Ryder – I was curious to know what cumulative mental health impact this has all had on him over time. His stories of drugs and excess are often passed with humour and anecdotal charm, but dig deeper, and I'm in touch with a haunting tale beneath – a world of self-harm, heroine, overdoses and childhood abuse.
I wanted to pause with Alan for a moment to reflect on some of these specific moments in time, from his own unique perspective. There’s a clear sense of humour in his narration, and you’ll catch glimpses of Alan’s life and charm as people weave in and out of this interview to say hello to him at different moments. You get a sense of his warmth and amenability, wisdom and compassion.
There are times when the interview really makes me laugh – it's a beautiful, sunny day, a wasp nearly stings my face, bands are rehearsing all around us, and Alan extols the virtues of his new healthy diet of fish and veg. It makes for a chaotic backdrop, which I love for its quirkiness and melancholy rolled into one. I’ve left in some of these glitches and blips to add to the sentiment behind this episode: that sometimes, the crossover between glam and grim is a really fine line.
(0–2.47) Intro
(0.01–0.56) Primal Scream, Higher Than The Sun
(2.47) Biff Bang Pow, She Haunts
(2.47–38.05) Interview with Alan McGee
(38.05) Biff Bang Pow, She Haunts
Support, helplines and therapy
One North East London – specialist counselling, advice and workshops for friends and family of those affected by addiction, as well as for those suffering addiction of any kind themselves.
Music Minds Matter – Helpline for musicians looking for support
Samaritans – Anonymous, free, emotional support helpline for anybody feeling suicidal or struggling to cope
CALM – Support and advice for men struggling with their mental health or suicidal feelings
Adfam – A list of helpful organisations dealing with issues around family, drugs and alcohol
Frank – For local drug treatment services
To access free counselling via the NHS, follow these links
Click here or here to find private therapy from insured, registered bonafide therapists
For urgent help, visit https://www.mind.org.uk/