In November 2003, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, one of the founding influences behind Reggae, played at the Jazz Café in London. Ollie Sanders caught up with him after the gig to surf some thoughts. Oliver Sanders: That was a great gig Lee, did you enjoy it? Lee Perry: Yes I did, it was good thanks. OS: Do you enjoy doing shows in England? LP: Of course, I always like to come here. OS: You mentioned on stage a bit about George W. Bush and the war in Iraq, what are your views on him? LP: Well, he's a vampire, and the vampires try to drag me down in their grave. OS: Yeh, he's definitely a blood sucker! I really enjoyed the performance of 'Zion Blood', that's a great song. What's it about? LP: Well, some vampires tried to stop me in Jamaica. They come to cut the artery of my right hand, 'cos my right hand is what does the recordings. So they think if they destroy my right hand they could get me out of the business. But Zion Blood is still in my right hand, still flowing through my veins!! OS: Ahh, ok, I'm glad about that....
LP: And this right hand hold the sword Excalibur!! The sword of justice! And I will not go down into the bottomless pit with those vampires! OS: And did you build the White Ark (Recording Studio) after your Black Ark studio burnt down?
LP: Yes I did, this is it (points to a picture of 'Emperor Haile Selassie I stuc to his shoe, that's the White Ark. OS: Oh right, and you have a Swiss flag stuck on there too, do you still live in Switzerland?
LP: I have to! If I wasn't living in Switzerland I'd have to be making terri ble dancehall records! (Laughs). OS: So have you had much snow there this year?
LP: Yeh we had some about 2 weeks ago.* OS: Oh right, did you do any skiing?
LP: No, I don't ski, only on my records! OS: (Laughing) So you prefer to ski on vinyl? LP: Yes, I ski on the records and the kids dem do it on the ice!! OS: Ok, well I'll have to give that a go! Do you have any last words? LP: Believe in Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Lee 'Scratch' Perry is not a raggamuffin! | used to make Dancehall records, but no longer. Believe in Lee 'Scratch' Perry, the righteous root of David and live forever!
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