Sheffield-based band Pulp first appeared in the early 1980s, was at the vanguard of so-called "Britpop" during the mid-'90s and produced best-selling albums "Different Class", "This Is Hardcore" and their latest, "We Love Life". Led by articulate and outspoken singer-songwriter Jarvis Cocker [above left], Pulp transcends contemporary styles and trends to produce classic, timeless songs.

Simon Beck talks to long-standing keyboardist Candida Doyle.

Simon Beck: Hello, Candida.
Firstly, how did you learn to play keyboards, and how and when did you join Pulp?

Candida Doyle: I had piano lessons on and off between the ages of seven and nineteen and stopped after passing the [Royal College of Music] Grade 3 exam.

I joined Pulp in Spring - I think - 1983, when the keyboardist had left and my brother and my friend - who were drummer and bassist respectively - recommended me.

SB: What keyboards do you use live and in the studio?

CD: God, I've played so many different keyboards in the studio, I'll list that out later. However, live I have to dress it down, or there'd be no room for the rest of the group, so live I now play a vocoder (or MemoryMoog sometimes), Ensoniq ASR for nice choir, flute and string sounds, and a Roland is used as the mother keyboard for my sampler.

Photo credit: pulponline

SB: Do you play any instruments other than keyboards?

CD: I'd love to be an able drummer and guitarist, but I am not that good with either instrument! I can play penny-whistles and recorders.

SB: Jarvis plays some of the keyboard parts on your records. Are you generally involved with his songwriting from an early stage, or do you fit your keyboard arrangements into a finished song?

CD: Firstly, we all write the songs together. Though Jarvis does write ALL the lyrics, the music, melodies etc. are written by the band. So we're all basically in it from the very beginning, making whole songs out of "bits" of music that we've come up with in rehearsals. Some of us are more involved in certain songs than others. It varies. "Bad Cover Version" I wrote except for the chorus which Jarvis wrote, whereas "Trees" I had very little to do with.

SB: Do you view Jarvis as primarily a band member or a frontman?

CD: I view Jarvis primarily as a bastard! No... yes, without Jarvis there would be no Pulp.

SB: Judging by the list of your keyboards, you seem to favour vintage instruments. Do you personally prefer the sounds of classic keyboards, or do they just fit the style of the band? Also, what do you think of modern keyboards? Are there any you like or dislike, and why?

CD: I love the sound of vocoders, MemoryMoogs, (some) Farfisas, Mellotrons, Fender Rhodes and the [affects pompous voice] pee-AH-no. And of course the Stylophone! [pocket-sized monophonic organ played with a "pen"]

Modern keyboards get a bit over-technological for their own good. There's none that I particularly like.

SB: What is your favourite vintage keyboard?

CD: The Farfisa Compact Professional II organ.

SB: What other musicians have influenced you?

CD: Dave Greenfield of the Stranglers, Mozart's harmonies, and the keyboards on Love's "Orange Skies".

SB: How has your keyboard setup changed during your time with the band?

CD: God, that would be too long an answer, so to cut it short, I've learnt how to play samplers and have the sound of, for example, a gunshot where a B^b in the fourth octave would be, meaning we can recreate the quality of a record's production live on stage.

SB: On "Sorted for E's and Wizz" there is a very prominent "Strawberry Fields" keyboard part. Is it a real Mellotron or a sampler?

CD: Erm, let me listen...

SB: The keyboard sounds in "Common People" seem to hark back to another famous Sheffield band - the Human League. Did they influence you, or the band to any extent?

CD: I have NO idea what you're on about here! I see NO Human League reference with this song and they've certainly never influenced me. If they did, it would be pre-BEF. [British Electric Foundation - musical collective created from remains of original Human League in 1980]

SB: Finally, do you have any musical projects outside Pulp?

CD: Uh uh, not at the moment!

SB: Candida Doyle, thank you.

Photo credit: pulponline

Special thanks to Alex at Pulp People,
the official Pulp fan club and website.

www.pulponline.com