HM: Congratulations on the Bambi, Hurts - did you have fun?Hurts: It was an amazing night. We got drunk with with Boris Becker. Orlando Bloom was there, too, and SJP - she was really nice, but we spent most of the time chasing around German models. Bloom said 'thank you' about fifty times in his speech, which got a bit boring. We also said thanks, but only once - and in German. It was a really proud moment - Germany was the first place to really take us to its heart.
HM: What were you doing at approximately this time last year?Hurts: We were probably going mental trying to write an album. We were hurdled around heaters in a shitty studio - we had an electric heater each though. We sat and wrote songs on the dole for three years, so to tour last month was amazing. No one's ever come to see us play before, so for people to actually pay to to that is amazing...
HM: How have things improved other than people paying money to see you?Hurts: Well, last night was pretty special - and doing so well in Germany is incredible. At the moment my life is split into two different parts; one one hand I go to Germany and talk to Boris Becker about football, and then the next day I go back to Rusholme in Manchester. You get to a funny point where every day something amazing happens. Before yesterday, it was playing Iceland, then it was meeting Jay-Z in Japan. We got drunk and I regaled him with magic tricks while Adam explained to him what the dole was in great detail - he'd never heard of it. I baffled him with one magic trick, and he was like "tell me, I'm Jay-Z". No, he didn't really say that, but I did think "this is Jay-Z, I should tell him", so I went behind the wizard's mask for him.
HM: Who would you invite to a dinner party - Jay-Z or Boris Becker?I think it would be an amazing culture clash if they both came, so let's say both. What would they have to talk about? They'd have absolutely nothing to say to each other - we'd be the mediators.
HM: How many shirts do you take on tour?Hurts: We take away 19 each. They're all the same. It's great when you've got a hangover because you just wake up and put on a white shirt and suit and no one can tell. You know though, in Europe, they don't have irons in hotel rooms, which is mental, isn't it? Apparently there's some legislation which means you're not allowed one, so we were at a loss. Ironing is one thing I actually hate, but I have to do it every morning of my life.
HM: What was the first record you bought?Hurts 1: The Slim Shady LP by Emimen - I was 11 years old. There was a record shop in my home town - obviously it's Parental Advisory, but the guy sold it to me anyway because he didn't know what it was. It's one of the most important records of my whole life I think - it's really changed my opinion on a couple of things.
Hurts 2: The first thing I bought was Sacrifice by Elton John - a bit different. I saved my pocket money for two weeks and then went to Woolworths - it cost £5.
What record always makes you cry?Hurts 1: I get emotional listening to a lot of songs, I'm quite sentimental. Two of the most emotional songs, which bring me close each time, are Nothing Compares 2 U and He Ain't Heavy by the Hollies. They're two of the best songs ever written, too.
HM: First song you danced to at a disco?Hurts 1: My first slow dance was with a girl called Mary when I was at the youth club and it was Never Ever by the All Saints. I remember it so vividly. No, I'm not in touch with Mary now - I was ten, I was a bit of a player.
Hurts 2: Mine was Chop Suey by System Of A Down. We always listen to System of a Down before we go on stage - or Nine Inch Nails and Pantera. Then we go on stage and it's all very calm.
HM: Best place you've heard your record?Hurts: The most amazing place where i heard one of our songs when we were driving through the wilderness in Iceland - not the frozen food supermarket, the country - we drove by that huge volcano and Wonderful Life came on the radio - it was an amazing moment.
HM: Who else do you like?Hurts: We love Drums - their music is almost naive, it's very simple and not cluttered by production. I think there's a connection between our two bands for that reason. We also like Claire McGuire. She's amazing. She sounds like a mix between Stevie Nicks and Cher.
HM: And obviously Scissor Sisters - you're supporting them, aren't you?Hurts: Yep, we're on tour with them in December. The venues we're playing in are a dream come true; we're getting to play the Manchester Evening News Arena - a couple of years ago, if you'd have told us that, we'd have been like 'where is left to go?'
The tour will be good because it will be a case of light and shade - I think both bands will complement each other well. We'll bring the mood down, won't we?
HM: Mmmm, maybe, but in an okay way. Thanks, Hurts!sotto lo spoiler, foto agghiaccianti (tranne la prima e l'ultima)
