Rhys Thomas interview
Spoof music documentary series Brian Pern is coming to an end with a final episode, which is set after the death of the central character. Creator Rhys Thomas answers our questions...
We're going to jump straight in with the key question: Brian Pern is ending? No! What? Why?
Well, because I think I've done as much as we can with Brian - it's been five years on the trot now and it would be good to end before the idea becomes tired.
I remember reading one review during the last series that said 'perhaps they should stop now as this joke might begin to wear a bit thin' or something like that and I thought, perhaps they are right.
We've done charity songs, reunions, concerts, concept albums etc, the only thing left that was fresh was dealing with death in rock and how it's sad for fans and family but great for record companies to cash in - in fact, I had the idea before lots of people started dying in 2016, it accidentally became more relevant.
Can you tell us any more about how Brian died?
He died in a Segway mishap. He accidentally drove it off a cliff and went into the sea. His body was never found.
What's going to happen to bi-polar Polar Bears now?
They're fucked, like all animals on this dying planet.
You've made a tribute show to look back at Brian's career. Who have you managed to get to take part?
There are a lot of surprises so I can't say as I don't want to spoil it for Brian's loyal fans, but the band, manager, ex-wives and a few friends all show up.
A lot of people have theories on who influenced both the musical and personal styles of Brian. Peter Gabriel is often cited, and indeed he has appeared in the show. Do you have any thoughts on this topic?
Well Peter Gabriel was an influence, but Brian Pern is an amalgamation of so many people and Thotch are based so many bands.
Simon [Day] and I love a good rock biography, I've made a few real ones in the past, so that helps. Brian is basically a very intelligent, public school educated rock star who has never taken drugs, doesn't drink, smoke, and has never thrown a TV out of a window. Painfully shy in person but on stage is this amazing performer. The opposite to the rock stars we usually see parodied in comedy, which is what made it different to Spinal Tap or Celeb with Harry Enfield.
There's Eno, Queen, Pink Floyd (Quid and Pern's relationship is very Waters/Gilmore). I became obsessed with Peter Gabriel and Genesis after Bob Mortimer and David Baddiel, who were massive fans, told me if I loved early Queen, I'd love Genesis. Bob bought me Lamb Lies Down On Broadway for my 25th Birthday. That was it - I was genuinely hooked and I'm not one of those people who only likes the Peter Gabriel era, I love it all - and all of the solo stuff. I even have Banks Statement - the Tony Banks solo album.
Simon is also a huge Peter Gabriel fan and we both love Face Value too, Phil Collins' first album.
When the BBC asked me to come up with a comedy for online, I was watching a lot of Peter Gabriel's monthly updates on his website or reading Brian May's Soapbox. I didn't set out to ridicule them as I am a huge admirer not only of their music, but the causes they champion. Brian is more of an affectionate parody, it's never cynical or nasty, at least I hope not, and all in good spirits.
When I came up with the idea I'd been working with Simon on Down The Line and I asked him if he wanted to be involved in this Brian Pern, which had already been commissioned as a script. He came around my house, improvised some things, and we mucked about for a few hours. I then edited it all and you can see the original tape on the blu-ray.
Looking back at the episodes you've made, you must be proud of what you've achieved? People have really taken the programme to heart - the news of his death trended on Twitter, and there's even graffiti featuring Brian!
Yes, it's nice; though a lot of people still don't know what it is or have never seen it, but the ones who have really love it and are almost obsessed. I like that.
BBC Four has been perfect for us. Out of the spotlight. Genuinely, we make something that makes us laugh, and if other people like it, fine. It's never going to win any awards or get millions of viewers, but I don't care about that. For me seeing 1000 people in Thotch t-shirts at the live show dancing to Thotch songs (which is what they did at the end) was better than an award.
As you touch on there, last year you packed out a London theatre - in real life this is - to put on a live show starring Brian. What was that like?
I almost had a nervous breakdown; it came straight off the back of the last series. We barely had any rehearsal and it was a mess in places, but that was part of the charm I suppose. We also didn't know who would turn up and it sold out - the plan was to do it every Monday but it was quite expensive to put on; live band, screens. It was one of the best nights of my life, a nice way to end the series.
Simon had never sung 10 songs before, he was worried it wouldn't be a success, but he really pulled it out of the bag and threw everything into it. Simon is funny because, he hates mainstream jokes or doing anything that he doesn't feel comfortable with - but when you get him out of his comfort zone he's hilarious. Philip Pope, the Musical Director who transcribed all of the songs and played them and Lucy Montgomery, who played Pepita, also should take a lot of credit for the night going so well.
You've produced quite a few music videos in the process of making the TV show... do you have a particular favourite or favourites?
I like At Home with My Missus - that's the Christmas song in the trenches. It's a spoof of Pipes of Peace by Paul McCartney, where they re-enacting the Christmas Truce football match. It was fun and it still makes me laugh, it's so ridiculous.
Now Brian Pern has ended, what's next for you Rhys?
A comedy drama for the makers of the A Word, I am writing that now; plus a sitcom for BBC Two or BBC One called Scaffs About Scaffolders. And I'm co-writing a pilot for a new comedy in the USA. I'm also doing another End of the Year show for the BBC, like the one I did last year. So pretty busy. Spreading myself nice and thin! Ha.
Sorry, one more question: are you sure this is the end for Brian?
I don't think there will be any more Brian Pern on TV. You can't kill someone off and then say 'not really.' Once it's done, it's done. He could always appear in some archive from the past - I'd like to do more with Thotch perhaps or John Farrow, the manager - there's more mileage there.
