**Massive Attack - Interview, The Ozone 03.03.98 — Transcript & Summary | SozAI**
Source: https://sozai.app/transcript/massive-attack-interview-ozone-1998/

Massive Attack discusses their new album Mezzanine, band tensions, and the creative process behind their latest single and video.

## Key Takeaways

- Massive Attack is evolving musically but facing internal creative differences.
- Collaborations with unique vocalists like Liz Fraser are part of their heritage and sound.
- The band values artistic originality, as seen in their innovative video concept.
- Massive Attack holds a deep emotional significance for its members beyond just music.
- Rumors of a split are downplayed, emphasizing the band's longevity and resilience.

## What the video covers

- Massive Attack returns with a new tour, single, and their third album, Mezzanine.
- The band addresses rumors about internal tensions and the possibility of a split.
- Differences in musical direction, especially with member Russ, have caused friction.
- The band reflects on how their dynamic has changed since their early days.
- Their latest single features vocals by former Cocktail Twin Liz Fraser, marking a notable collaboration.
- Liz Fraser was initially reluctant to join but eventually contributed her distinctive voice.
- The music video concept was developed by their director and was considered risky due to Liz's pregnancy.
- The band members express pride in the originality and quality of the video.
- They discuss the emotional impact and significance of Massive Attack beyond just the band members.
- Despite challenges, the band views Massive Attack as something bigger than themselves.

## Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Band Reunion
2. 00:34 Addressing Rumors and Musical Differences
3. 01:01 Band Dynamics and Early Days
4. 01:20 Collaborations and Vocal Contributions
5. 02:00 Video Concept and Creative Process
6. 03:00 Band's Emotional Connection and Future

Answers

## Questions about this video

What is the new album Massive Attack is promoting in this interview?

The band is promoting their third album called Mezzanine.

Who is the featured vocalist on Massive Attack's latest single discussed in the interview?

The featured vocalist is Liz Fraser, formerly of the Cocktail Twins.

Are there tensions within Massive Attack according to this interview?

Yes, the band acknowledges musical differences, especially with Russ, but downplays rumors of a split.

## Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

00:02

Speaker A

Massive Attack are back with a new tour, a new single, and a new album called Mezzanine. And I tell you what, I'm not going to mention the phrase trip hop once. Since the sensational debut of Unfinished Sympathy, Massive Attack have become the dance act darlings of the Sunday supplements. But as they release their third album, Mezzanine, rumors arrive about tensions within the band and the possibility of a split. So, fellas, welcome to the ozone. Um, it's, I guess, it's a bit of a miracle to have you all together. If the press reports were anything to be believed, until then, we're the worst of enemies. But is that really the case? I think it's just musical differences with Russ. They're so strong-minded about, you know, musical taste and sort of directions that you want to take the band in. I think, you know, especially the fact that we've been together a long time makes it quite difficult because we know each other so well. We know how to wind each other out. Well, we know, we're more acutely aware of each other's differences, whereas earlier on when we started out, it was more of an exploration thing. It's a bit of a, you know, we just started. We were in a band. It was a bit of a laugh. There wasn't much at stake, you know. It was a bit of crack. And now it's a lot more sort of, you know, in your face. Previous Massive singles have featured guest vocals from Nicolette, Shara Nelson, and everything, but the girls Tracy Thorn. Their latest release showcases the unique vocal talents of former Cocktail Twin Liz Fraser. This is really part of our heritage, really, you know. It's DJs and, you know, just music lovers growing up in the 80s. You know, the Cocktail Twins were like, you know, one of the super cool brands. But, you know, and Liz's voice was so distinctive. Was she quite surprised when you gave her a call? Um, no, I don't think so because we actually tried to get hold of her, you know, a couple years before that and, uh, gave us the dump. She didn't, she said no. Yeah, yeah, why? Crap. The video is fantastic. Where did that idea come from? Our director, we got to report credit for that, you know, because often with, you know, video directors, we'd talk about things and ideas, and that idea was floating around for a while and we were unsure of it because obviously Liz was pregnant and it seems kind of like a strange idea, you know, because, you know, we're male and we don't understand that whole process, you know, to a certain extent anyway. But the idea of doing it just seems so kind of interesting, you know, so, you know, so original really. I mean, and, you know, we're really pleased with everything. It's a great video. I'm really pleased with it. If you all decided to call it a day tomorrow, pack your bags, I've had enough, go back home, how bothered would you be? Well, initially, not bothered at all, you know, but in about two weeks, it's been about two weeks' time, I think I'll probably, uh, slit my wrist. With Massive, it's more of a case of like, I don't necessarily think it could end really because it's bigger than, you know, any of us really. God, that's pulling it in there.

00:19

Speaker A

become the dance act Darlings of the Sunday supplements but as they release their third album mezzanine rumors arrive about tensions within the band and the possibility of a split so fellas welcome to the ozone um it's I guess it's a bit of a miracle

00:34

Speaker A

to have you all together if the if the Press reports were anything to be believed until then we're the worst of enemies but is that really the case I think it's just musical differences with Russian they're so strong-minded about you know

00:51

Speaker A

a musical taste and sort of directions that you want to take the band in I think you know especially the fact that we've been together a long time makes it quite difficult because we know each other so well we know to wind each

01:01

Speaker A

other out well we know we're more acutely aware of each other's differences whereas earlier on when we started out it was more of an exploration thing it's a bit of a you know we just started we were in a band

01:10

Speaker A

it was a bit of a laugh there wasn't much at stake you know it was a bit of crack and now it's a lot more sort of you know in your face previous massive singles have featured guest vocals from

01:20

Speaker A

Nicolette Shara Nelson and everything but the girls Tracy Thorne [Music] their latest release showcases the unique vocal talents of former cocktail twin Liz Fraser [Music] this is really part of our heritage really you know it's DJs and you know

01:45

Speaker A

just music lovers growing up in the 80s you know you know the cocktail Twins were like you know one of the super cool Brands but you know and Liz's voice was so distinctive [Applause] was she quite surprised when you gave

02:02

Speaker A

her a call um no I don't think so because we actually tried to get hold of her you know a couple years before that and uh gave us the dump she didn't she said no yeah yeah why crap

02:18

Speaker A

[Music] the video is fantastic where did that idea come from our director we got a report for credit for that you know because often with you know video directed would talk about things and ideas and that idea was

02:38

Speaker A

floating around for a while and we were unsure of it because obviously Liz was pregnant and it seems kind of like a strange idea you know because you know we're male and we don't understand that whole process you know to a certain

02:49

Speaker A

extent anyway but the idea of doing it just seems so kind of interesting you know so you know so original really I mean and you know we're really pleased with everything it's a great video I'm really pleased with it

03:01

Speaker A

[Music] if you all decided to call it a day tomorrow pack your bags I've had enough go back home how bothered would you be well initially not bothered at all you know but in about two weeks it's been

03:16

Speaker A

about two weeks time I think I'll probably uh slit my wrist with massive it's more of a case of like I don't necessarily think it could end really because it's bigger than you know any of us really God that's pulling it in there

Topics: Massive Attack Mezzanine trip hop Liz Fraser Cocktail Twins music video band tensions Russ Unfinished Sympathy 1998 interview

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