What was it like working with M. Night Shyamalan?
For me, it was a master-and-commander relationship—it was the nerd and the madman. I found the process of one storyboard per hour very slow. It was an exercise in patience and understanding that he says works. I think we became good pals in the end, actually. I have incredible respect for M. Night because he has great loyalty to those he works with. He should run for mayor.

How did you like working with stars Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard?
I was naked filming Paul in the pool. He thought it was shocking but I thought it was refreshing. But he’s a very gracious man. Bryce is a product of the system: a Hollywood family and all the positive qualities that come with that such as resilience and craft. In a couple of years we’re really going to see her blossom.

What was the most difficult aspect of this shoot?
Shooting in Pennsylvania was the hardest part. It reminded me of my middle-class upbringing and all that I ran away from. M. Night is incredible; 60 percent of the film takes place in the rain and at night. I thought, “How can I make this more Chris?” So we created La Luna—a huge light source that’s like the moon. We could shoot day and night and it would look the same. Since it’s a fairytale, time is inconsequential so the look is ambiguous. More importantly, it let us get to the bars before 2am closing time. That was the real function of La Luna.

What’s your verdict on the film?
I’m proud of it. There’s an intimacy about it and it’s quite different from the other films M. Night’s done. It’s dedicated to his children. Maybe it’s not scary enough for kids and it’s perhaps too intellectual for them but I felt very much a part of it.

Over a decade after their landmark album What’s The Story Morning Glory, UK act Oasis is quietly achieving even more breakthroughs with their latest Don’t Believe The Truth. Seemingly gone are the hi jinks with the Gallagher brothers Noel and Liam. In their place? A group earnestly playing solid rock before a wider audience than ever before. I-S catches up with guitarist Jem Archer ahead of the group’s Feb 23 show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to find out more.

So what can we all expect to hear?
Definitely the songs that you’d expect. What we kind of do when we start a tour is get a set together and it kind of evolves to where it’s the one. Sometimes Noel swaps a few of his songs in the middle. Sometimes it’s “The Master Plan” and sometimes it’s some others. But it’s only one or two tunes that get swapped.

You’ve all been to Asia before, but where does it fit in on the overall tour? Do you get excited about playing Singapore, and the 100 Rock Festival in Bangkok recently?
We don’t talk up anything really, but if you ask individual people they’re up for it. I am. I love Bangkok, and I’ve been to Germany hundreds of times, and you know what to expect. I’m just looking forward to something new. I’ve been to Japan quite a lot of times, and it’s all getting to the point where we know our way around there. We’re going to Seoul for the first time, so that’s truly exciting. I just remember the last time we played Bangkok, and the princess of Thailand came. There were a lot of soldiers in the mosh pit. We were a little confused as to why, and then she ended up coming backstage and there were loads of photos. She even got Liam’s tambourine. That was a big gig as well. Ten thousand people came. We had about six days off there as well. We’re pretty much itching to get back on with it.

When you’re onstage, what songs get you excited?
Of the new stuff, I like “Lyla.” Of the old stuff, I love “Rock ’n’ Roll Star.” And when Noel hits the solo on “Live Forever,” I’m still blown away after all this time. “The Master Plan” is great too.

Your tour has been quite successful and it finally seems as though you broke through the US. Was this a pleasant surprise after all this time?
Yes and no. A lot of the British press said “failed in America.” Honestly, I think you can’t break America anymore. It’s not like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin days. Nowadays the media controls it. One band can sell millions in America, and they can be forgotten in a month. We just kept going over there. We went over there with the Black Crowes, and we didn’t even have a record out. This time they said “You’re going to Madison Garden, Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks”… and we were like “Are you sure?”… and it became one of the fastest sellouts ever. Playing at Madison Square Garden surpassed all my expectations. You know the history, but when you get there and the guy in the dressing room is giving you all the talk about this being the place where Marilyn Monroe sang to the President, it makes you raise your game. As for Red Rocks, you think U2 because of their live show there, but then you realize they’ve had gigs there since 1980. When you’re there, you feel special. At some other places, you might as well be playing the car park.

What are the weirdest items on your tour rider?
Probably the dwarves. Well, there have been dwarves on this tour, put it that way.

What off the stage events made a big impression on you and the band?
On this tour, I suppose it’s been the opening acts. There’ve been so many great bands playing with us. It seriously makes a big difference. When all the support bands are bad, it loses its legs a bit. When there’s another great band on, you’re fired up. Otherwise, you’re trying to outrun the hurricane. We were like a hundred miles from where it hit in New Orleans. There’s always these things on tours. Everybody rings from home and everybody’s panicking. We’re like, “Look it’s fine.” But they’re all freaking out. You just get on with it on tour.

As a group what have you all enjoyed musically and film-wise?
We had a band called the Red Walls supporting us from Chicago. We like The Coral. As far as movies go, it would have to be that Metallica film. Andy and Liam are all into that TV stuff Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office. I also really like a guy named Banksy. Check him out. He’s a British street artist. He’s just done a book. He’s great. Apart from all that, there’s all the bollocks that gets talked until sunrise. There’s a board game that we play called Frustration. You roll the dice and have to win the PDs back. We play that quite often.

As for the future, what can we expect soundwise on the next album?
We’ve got so many songs that we didn’t put on this album. There’s already talk of working with producer Dave Sardie. Some of the songs that didn’t make that album will certainly make the next one. They’re a member of the same family, but the family doesn’t look the same. I’d love to go back to Capitol and work with Sardie again. We’ll see.

Easy listening pop singer Andy Williams has had more gold albums than both Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. That’s just one of the many accomplishments this 79 year old can name over the course of the six decades he’s entertained audiences via recordings and TV series. Here’s another one: “Moon River.” Just before he embarks on what he calls his last Asian tour, including a visit to Bangkok, he talks to us about his show and much more...

What can your audience expect to see when you are here?
Everything is perfect with perfect sound. I’m bringing the lights and the band and the perfect singer. We have three backup singers who are terrific and I’m in fine form. My voice isn’t as good as it was when I was 35, but it’s certainly better than Sinatra’s when he was 70. I’ll do some songs that I don’t usually do like the theme from Love Story and Godfather and Love Is A Many Splendored Thing.

Walk The Line is about to be released here and you did concerts with Johnny Cash in Scotland. What are your recollections?
I did a couple shows with him. I liked him very much. I spent two weeks with him and two shows. I didn’t know him very well but he was a nice guy. I loved the film. I love both Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. Both of them sang great. Some of the songs are some of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen onscreen. I don’t know if they’ll be nominated for Oscars, but they should be.

The recent compilation Music To Watch Girls By has allowed you to be heard by new audiences. Why do you think your music has this timeless quality?
They’re good songs and good songs have a chance of becoming timeless. In the case of Music To Watch Girls By and "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You," they were used as a car commercial and teenage kids loved the song and they became big in England but not in America. My records in England sell better than the US because of that.I have a much younger following there. Half of the audience is 60 and half are teens; to see that is terrific.

For metrosexuals who are Andy Williams fans, what’s your advice to be a hit with the ladies?
I’ve got to ask. Just what is a metrosexual? That’s not a gay thing is it? Because I’ve always been a hit with the ladies. It’s nice. I like ladies. If I have a gay following I’m surprised. I’d like to think that what you see is what you get and I’m a nice guy who kind of fell into that appearance. I didn’t make it up. You are pretty much what you see on television. You’re talking to the audience and singing to them, same as the nighttime hosts like Johnny Carson.

From someone who has and does have quite a varied life, what are some of the greatest life lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important things I’ve learned is to thine own self be true. Another one I’ve learned is become the best you can be in your own field. Be as good as you can and not worry about money or fame. Only the best you are, then everything else will come. You have to put your priorities in the right place. I learned this from Kay Thompson. I was putting things ahead of studying and working. I’m a great believer in the old American work ethic, which we have lost here completely. I think if you want to become something, you have to sacrifice something to get something else and most people don’t want to do that. I remember when I was first singing in little clubs and saving all the time and not going to a restaurant and eating in my room out of my can. I’ve eaten dog food before. Alpo is a pretty good one. That has gravy and everything. Most kids today don’t want to give up anything. They don’t want to work for it and it’s a shame. Even if people work and make a living they spend more than they make. You just notice it in your nephews and young people around you. And this drug problem is out of hand.

In that same vein, you were good friends with Robert Kennedy. Do you see clear parallels between the late sixties and what we’re experiencing now?
I think there are some parallels. The right is becoming a little more centered which is great, but the left is moving a little bit more left. I watch a lot of Fox News, which is fair and balanced. I think it is much more so than CNN or the New York Times or CBS. They’re so liberal.

After your Asian tour, what are your plans? Is it possible you’ll record a new album?
I’m recording a new album next week. I’m doing some songs that other artists have done before but they’re ones that I love like “Every Breath You Take” by Sting and “Desperado” by the Eagles. “We’re Having A Party”—Rod Stewart did it. “Have I Told You Lately That I Loved You”—a Van Morrison song. They’re contemporary standards. They will be around for quite a while but they weren’t around in the '40s and '50s.

Over a decade after their landmark album What’s The Story Morning Glory, the UK act Oasis is quietly achieving even more breakthroughs with their latest Don’t Believe The Truth. Seemingly gone are the Gallagher brothers, hijinks. In it’s place? A group earnestly playing its solid rock before an even wider audience than ever before. We caught up with guitarist Jem Archer ahead of the group’s February 18-19 show at Bangkok 100 Rock Festival.

Do you get excited about playing at the 100 Rock Festival in Thailand?
We don’t talk up anything really but if you ask individual people, they’re up for it. I am. I just remember the last time we played Bangkok and the princess of Thailand came. There were a lot of soldiers in the mosh pit. We were a little confused as to why and then she ended up coming backstage and there were loads of photos. She even got Liam’s tambourine. That was a big gig as well. 10,000 people came. We had about six days off there as well. I’m sure we’re all up for that. We’re pretty much itching to get back on with it.

When you’re onstage what songs get you excited?
Of the new stuff I like “Lyla.” Of the old stuff I love “Rock n’ Roll Star” and when Noel hits the solo on “Live Forever” I’m still blown away after all this time. “The Master Plan” is great too.

Your tour has been quite successful and it finally seems as though you broke through the U.S. Was this a pleasant surprise after all this time?
Yes and no. A lot of the British press said “failed in America.” Quite honestly, I think you can’t break America anymore. It’s not like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin days. Nowadays the media controls it. One band can sell millions in America and they can be forgotten in a month. We just kept going over there. We went over there with the Black Crowes and we didn’t even have a record out. This time they said "You’re going to Madison Garden, Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks"...and we were like "Are you sure?”...and it became one of the fastest sellouts ever. Playing at Madison Square Garden surpassed all my expectations. You know the history but when you get there and the guy in the dressing room is giving you all the talk about this being the place where Marilyn Monroe sang to the President, it makes you raise your game. As for Red Rocks you think U2 because of their live show there, but then you realize they’ve had gigs there since 1908. When you’re there, you feel special. At some other places, you might as well be playing the car park.

As a group what have you all enjoyed musically and filmwise?
We had a band called the Red Walls supporting us from Chicago. We like The Coral. As far as movies go it would have to be that Metallica film. Andy and Liam are all into that Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office. I also really like a guy named Banksy. Check him out. He’s a British street artist. He’s just done a book. He’s great... Apart from all that, there’s all the bollocks that gets talked until sunrise. There’s a board game that we play called Frustration. You roll the dice and have to win the PDs back. We play that quite often.

As for the future, what can we expect soundwise on the next album?
We’ve got so many songs that we didn’t put on this album. There’s already talk of working with producer Dave Sardie. Some of the songs that didn’t make that album will can certainly make the next one. They’re a member of the same family but the family doesn’t look the same. I’d love to go back to Capitol and work with Sardie again. We’ll see.

You’ll be pleased to know that when it comes to sex, we Thais get bragging rights for getting it on earlier and more often than our counterparts in other Asia City cities. The majority of us lose our virginity at age 16, and 13% percent of us have sex on a daily (or nightly) basis. We’re also the most likely to answer our cell phones while doing the deed and the most likely (18%) to seek out relationship counseling (16% of those seeking counseling believe it helps). We seem to be firm believers in karma, with 66% of us having cheated on someone and 66% of us believing that we’ve been cheated on. Curious to find out more? Read on…

Respondents

Male 63%
Female 37%

I consider myself:

Straight 70%
Gay 22%
Bi-sexual 6%
Trisexual (as in “will try anything...”) 0.7%

How old were you when you first had sex?

Most respondents in Bangkok lose their virginity earlier with most getting deflowered at age 16. The oldest to have lost it was age 33 and the youngest was age eight. In Hong Kong the most common age was 18, and in Singapore it was a tie between 18 and 21 years of age.

Ever interrupted sex to answer your mobile?

Apparently we in Bangkok find our mobiles so indespensible that we’re willing to answer calls even while we’re getting busy.

Do you prefer a more or less experienced partner?

Apparently more of us like being the student rather than the teacher when it comes to love-making. 67% of us wanted a more experienced partner and 31% wanted a less experienced one.

Ever used Viagra?

No 86%

Ever had a threesome/group sex?

Yes 36%

What’s the longest period you have gone without sex?

A week 12%
A month 31%
Six months 25%
One year 16%
Two years or more 16%

Ever done it in a public place?

What a bunch of exhibitionists! Not only do we like doing it but we like doing it in public. 68.8% have done it in public. But only 7.8% are members of the Mile High Club, having had sex on a plane.

How often do you usually have sex?

Masturbated at work?

Yes 43%

Ever had sex with a work colleague?

When it comes to sex with our colleagues, we and Singapore responded with a resounding “No!”

Ever owned a sex toy?

Yes 34%

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes 61%

Would you have sex to advance your career?

No 72%

How many people have you had sex with?

How many dates before sex?

Two 26%
One 21%
Ten 11%
Varies, depends 11%

Ever had relationship counseling?

Yes 17%
No 83%

If yes, did it work?

Yes 16%
No 11%

Have you ever met up for real-time sex with someone via the internet?

The internet is another popular place to pull potential partners at 16%. Which isn’t any wonder considering that 48% of us have had cyber sex and 37% have met up for real time sex.

Would you stay in a relationship knowing you had been cheated on?

Yes 42%
No 58%

Have you ever cheated on someone(left)? Or Have you ever been cheated on(right)?

Is a “happy ending” at a massage parlor the same as cheating?

Yes 41%
No 59%

Ever paid for sex?

Yes 44.5%
No 55.5%

Ever been paid for sex?

Yes 10%
No 90%

Ever faked an orgasm?

Yes 64%

Ever had an STD?

Yes 20%
No 80%

Virgins?

Blessing 60.9%
Curse 39.9%

Porn?

Yuk, never 12.5%
Gross, yet strangely compelling 26.6%
Consult my stash once a week or so 28.9%
It’s the folk art of the future 32%

Would it bother you if your partner had cosmetic surgery?

Ever toyed with S&M?

Yes 23%

Dirty talk?

Hell, yes 83.6%