Dedicated fans of the band Placebo will instantly recognise the name, Xavior 'Xav' Roide. Placebo fans first encountered Xavior as Flaming Creature Pearl, with Brian, Steve and Stef in director Todd Hayne's glam rock movie, Velvet Goldmine. Several years later, throughout the Sleeping With Ghosts tour Xavior became a familiar staple in live Placebo shows. In an effort to bring the band's layered studio sound to their live performances extra hands were needed on stage. In addition to mainstay William 'Bill' Lloyd, Xavior assumed the role of providing keyboard and vocal elements. During his short time in Placebo's live ensemble Xavior quickly won the admiration of many fans; and though newcomer Alex Lee has been welcomed with open arms, Xavior's absence is definitely noted.

For this reason sucker-love.com decided to seek out none other than the delightful creature himself in order to let fans know what he is up to these days and where one may encounter some of his many stage personalities/projects.



SUCKER-LOVE.COM: For the unenlightened living in, or visiting, London; what can they expect to see and experience when attending a Paul St Paul and the Apostles, (The Wolseley Teaists, or Hanky Panky Cabaret) show?

XAVIOR: First of all I'd like to say hi and hope all is mighty fine and mightily dandy.

The Paul St Paul and The Apostles show is like an act of fury. I've had lots of people telling me it's the best thing they have ever seen. I think it shocks people because it is so naked in its approach. As their manager I can only grin knowingly from the sidelines. Paul St Paul usually doesn't like me to give too much away, he's a fascinating character.

Hanky Panky Cabaret is two years old now, many bizarre and unrepeatable things have happened within its womblike bubble. Luckily a lot of it is filmed and there will be a documentary feature about it.

The Wolseley Teaist Society is really a rebellion against the fascination with youth culture. Everyone today wants to be a youth, it's so boring and so predictable now. Some might say it is youthful to want to rebel .


SUCKER-LOVE.COM: Do you have any shows scheduled for the remainder of the year? Are there any new projects on the horizon?

XAVIOR: Yes, the third Paul St Paul and The Apostles pop show takes place at the end of this week, on the 18th November 2006. There will be an Andy Warhol musical at the next Hanky Panky Cabaret. This follows the recent Charles The Sectioned musical about Charles II of England. In the new year we will be performing these more regularly.

People might like to know I also have had a little piece called 'The Fashionable Side' recently published in a collection called 'The Decadent Handabook' by Dedalus.


SUCKER-LOVE.COM: Like many renowned artists you seem to continuously recreate yourself in new ventures. How many different personalities are hidden inside Xavior Roide? Or have you lost count?

XAVIOR: I did once try to count them but I kept forgetting to count the one who was counting so never reached the correct figure. Perhaps I'll try again one day.


SUCKER-LOVE.COM: With the increasing fame of bands such as The Darkness and Scissor Sisters, do you think there is (once again) becoming a more mainstream market for performance art in music? Is this a good or bad thing; perhaps something to which you aspire?

XAVIOR: I think rock music has always been a performance art. It's highly ritualistic and audiences seem to want that most. Rock shows in essence don't vary that much. It's all costumes, lights, and posturing with instruments. I like the bands who knowingly do this, it's amusing. True experimentation in rock is rare, and given its nature perhaps unnecessary.


SUCKER-LOVE.COM: You're hosting a dinner party and you are allowed to invite any three people from history; living, dead or fictional. Who would be the guests of honour to Xavior's soiree?

XAVIOR: Camille Paglia, Andy Warhol, and 1970s Arnold Schwarzenegger.


SUCKER-LOVE.COM: Fans of the band Placebo have come to know you after your time spent as part of the onstage ensemble during the Sleeping With Ghosts tour. How did that job opportunity come about, and what were the positives and negatives to such a support role?

XAVIOR: Stefan phoned me over the Xmas holidays and asked me if I wanted to do it, I agreed as long as I could finish off a composition I was working on for Goldsmiths College. The timing was good so off I went.

Positives: the experience of playing all the different types of places to all the different types of people and seeing all the different parts of the world.

Negatives: it coincided with my Saturn Returns, a notorious time of change.


SUCKER-LOVE.COM: Finally the question burning on everyone's lips: Given such high demand, will a DVD box set of The Continuing Adventures of Dick Dandy ever see the light of day?

XAVIOR: Without a doubt.

xxx



For more information and details on Xavior and all his creative works be sure to check out his website and myspace.

If you're in the London area why not show your support by moseying along to one of his shows. Don't forget Paul St Paul and the Apostles are performing November 18th, 2006. For a seat wetting preview check out the trailer and a video of the performance on YouTube.