from cd:uk Magazine - September 2001, www.5iveUSA.com
LOVE AND HATE!
You look mean 'n hard all the time - what puts a smile on your faces?
J: I love books, sunshine, good friends (thinks) and this band 'cause it's fun. I love life. Life's great.
Scott: I love my son, Brennan, my family, Kerry's family and... (laughs) my car, I suppose.
Rich: Hmmm! Cars, sunshine, the sea, music and erm, Fruit Gums!
Abs: I'm really into animals, sport, travel and food - especially mouloukhia - a Turkish dish. And in true boy style, I love sports cars.
And now get deep down 'n dirty... What d'you hate, lads?
J: People being violent and nasty. And I absolutely hate anchovies and tomatoes. Taramasalata is the food of the devil!
Scott: (thinks) Me and Kerry absolutely hate picking up the dog poo from the garden. We argue about who's turn it is to do it!
Rich: People with attitudes, getting up early, and I hate the way bread goes moldy 'cause I'm not in my flat enough! I have one sandwich and that's it! It's really annoying.
Abs: I don't like boy racers and rumors printed about me - like that I breed chickens! (What?! - editor) Oh, and I can't stand Marmite, it's for weirdos. Scott likes Marmite.
When it comes to gals, what types get you grinnin'?
Abs: I don't have a type as long as she's genuine. It doesn't matter what she looks like.
J: I usually go for dark hair and dark features.
Scott: Brown hair, straight and long, brown eyes, pregnant and then not!
Rich: I'm not fussed. (thinks) My perfect girl would have dark eyes, kinda like Jennifer Lopez.
And personality wise?
J: She's gotta be completely herself. I hate falseness. She's gotta be a kind person - not just to me, but thoughtful to the people around her as well.
Scott: I like the girly type. Normal girls who are happy with themselves.
Rich: I'm into a good sense of humor, someone who can take the mickey out of themselves. And someone who doesn't love herself too much.
Abs: Just someone who doesn't try too hard. And I'm not impressed by designer labels hanging out.
How can a girl turn you off?
J: By farting! People say, "Oh, it's natural!" Yeah, well so is going to the toilet, but I wouldn't want to see my partner do that! I don't even belch in front of girlfriends!
Scott: Really loud, lairy girls are a turn-off. Not that it matters, I don't want any girls flirting with me.
Rich: I think butch women and foul-mouthed girls are unattractive. I don't mind the odd tattoo, but I'm not into piercings apart from on their ears.
Abs: Being two-faced or arrogant. And I'm sick of seeing the same old girl bands and the same old backing singers. I'm on a mission to find more.
Tell us what makes a good date?
Abs: It could be anything - going abseiling or just chillin' at home. It wouldn't matter, if I was into the girl.
Rich: When I was 16, I picked up my girlfriend in a taxi and surprised her with a night in a five-star hotel. Anything spontaneous is good.
J: I had an amazing time in South Africa with someone I wanted to be with and we spent our time eating nice food and swimming in the sea.
Scott: One night I came home after a really bad day and Kerry said, "Right, we're going out for dinner." That was really nice.
What's the worse song ever recorded?
J: Wyclef Jean, Perfect Gentleman - it's pathetic. "We're going to e-e-e-e-e-l-o-pe to Me-heh-heh-hi-co!?" He must've taken all of four minutes to write that!
Scott: I dunno. But Geri and Robbie Williams should give up. Robbie's a brilliant artist but I don't think he needs to do it anymore. And I can't stand Madonna.
Abs: (thinks) I'm not sure about the worse song, but the worse noise is the high-pitched one Scott makes when he screams in my face!
Rich: There are lots that grate me... the worse though? That's tricky. I'd say Eiffel 65, "I'm blue, da bu dee da bu dee," and Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like A Woman.
What the best bit about being loved-up?
J: Just how happy it makes you feel. And being that close to someone. They know exactly how you're feeling and thinking and can help you with your problems and visa versa.
Scott: Oh, it just feels good inside, doesn't it? A bit warm and fluffy.
Rich: It's just brilliant having someone there. I'm not in love at the moment though. I'm dating someone but it's one of those on-and-off deals. Girls say boys are non-committal, but I think we fall in love more than girls do.
Abs: I dunno, but right now I'm just in love with life and that's a good feeling. The last person I said, "I love you" to was my mum. She was going on holiday so I gave her a call to tell her.
Who do you really hate?
J: Nobody. You shouldn't hate. Even if someone chopped off my leg, after I'd got over it, I wouldn't hate him.
Scott: There are a few people that really annoy me, but I can't name names. It's not nice to say I hate them.
Rich: You can't worry about hating people. I don't even let the tabloid press bother me anymore. I just read it and think, "Ok, so I'm going out with HER this week."
Abs: (thinks) You know what? I hate those guys who sit in toilets with aftershave and chewing gum. You give him a few quid for a packet of chewing gum then everybody asks you for a stick and that's a fiver down the toilet. I gave a guy L10 for some lollies! (Er, ok! - editor)
When did you last have a mad screaming fit?
J: (thinks) Y'know I can't remember, it's been a long time. I've mellowed a lot over the years. I can't remember the last time I've screamed or shouted.
Scott: I'm not sure. Occasionally I'll go off on one and do stupid things like throw stuff. I've lost a lot of photographs from throwing them in arguments.
Rich: I've been too busy to lose my temper recently! I usually store it up and hope it goes away. No, I haven't had a major barney in ages.
Abs: I lose my temper over silly things, like when I spill a drink. I split on my remote control and had to wait weeks for a new one. I wasn't happy.
Finally, what makes you happier than a pig in pooh?
Rich: I love driving, windows down, out on the open road in my BMW. I'm really happy chilling in my flat and seeing my best mate Will, too.
Scott: Being with Brennan and playing with his toys. That's when I'm happy.
J: Hanging with my family and friends and having a laugh with the band.
Abs: I'm in love with life so I'm happy doing anything. I like films. I've got a DVD and wide-screen, but music is the one thing I couldn't live without.
