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It’s been 235 years since the Founding Fathers won us our freedom from all those evil, red-clad limeys. The war is so over. Yet Brit club-killer Fatboy Slim (AKA Norman Cook) seems to be plotting a counterattack for this Fourth of July.
Admittedly, New Times is frazzled. And you should be worried too. What exactly is Mr. Cook cooking up? Will there be cannonballs and muskets? And who will be left dancing when Fatboy and his Aussie sidekick Dirty South invade the Surfcomber Hotel’s seventh annual IndepenDANCE pool party?
We called Cook for comment. And though he mentioned shooting lasers at the Statue of Liberty, the rest of the conversation was significantly less hostile.
New Times: What does it mean to you as a Brit to be spinning on the anniversary of American independence from your country?
Fatboy Slim: It’s a delicious irony, and I’m quite happy to come over and help you celebrate, ’cause you’re much better off without us. Viva the revolution!
We’ll surely hear all the Fatboy Slim favorites. But is there anything you’re planning that we wouldn’t expect?
I always try to do something unexpected. And obviously, I hope for something tropical in Miami. I just got back from playing the Great Wall of China, and there I dropped the a cappella of “Wonderwall.”
It’s been one of your busiest years touring. Why did you decide to go so hard in 2011?
Last year, I did 60 shows. And this year, I’m doing 70. Age-wise, I’m probably coming to the end of my shelf life, and I’m determined to wring the best out of it.
Right before you get to Miami, you have a pretty massive weekend.
Well, it’s probably a good part of the world to be in on Fourth of July weekend. That weekend, it’s Governors Island in New York, Vegas, and Miami.
What do you expect from Governors Island? That’s supposed to be an enormous event.
With the Statue of Liberty in the background and the history of that island, I think it’s going to raise the excitement levels. We’re going to negotiate with the FAA to see if we can project lasers on the Statue of Liberty so the Brits go home with something.
