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 UP AND ADAM
Adam Levine has just banged his leg on the corner of the refrigerator and is not happy. Still, if that’s the worst thing that happens today to the lead singer of multi-million selling pop-rock group Maroon 5, he reckons he will make it through. Done with Songs About Jane, it was time to talk about new songs, new band members, fashion, fellas and the missing invite to Elton John’s nuptials.
INSTINCT: Five years is a long time to tour one record, but it obviously paid off. You must be pretty excited to get back on the road with some new tunes. What can people expect?
ADAM LEVINE: Well, we’re opening for The Police, which will be an unbelieveable show. I really can’t wait to see them live. That will be the icing on the cake. I’m a big fan and I met Sting in Chicago last year. I’m not sure whether we will be allowed to hang out backstage with them, whether they’ll let us or not, but seeing their show will be incredible.
The new Maroon 5 single “Makes Me Wonder” has traces of rock, pop, disco and electro in there. Do you purposely make music that will filter across genres or do you just focus on cranking out a great tune?
I think we definitely have our roots in rock ‘n’ roll, but we’ve ventured into interesting territory by mixing that in a blender with [shades of] Prince and Michael Jackson, which isn’t so typical. And, love us or hate us, we don’t sound like anyone else. We draw from a much wider pool of influences. Most bands will name The Beatles or Led Zeppelin or The Eagles as influences, and it will be ten bands all influencing the music today. I think it’s not just about those acts, but looking at pop as well and realizing that it’s not a dirty word and a good song is a good song, whatever genre it comes from.
Between albums you got to work with Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Sly And The Family Stone, and you covered a tune from Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. The sample from the Kanye song even makes it onto this album!
Good spot! It was very different with each one, and both Alicia and Kanye are very interesting people. They were just opportunities that arose. Sometimes you can’t bring the whole band into a situation, it just won’t work. I was asked by Alica to do an acoustic session, so I went to rehearse one afternoon and the next day we were recording it. And you can’t say no to an opportunity like that. And Kanye was on the same flight as me and we just hit it off and thought it would be a great opportunity if we could work together. It has to feel right and there has to be chemistry there for it to be a good collaboration. These just happened – none of them were set up by the record company.
Drummer Ryan Dusick officially left the band last year due to injuries to his arms. How is he doing?
He’s okay. It was definitely hard. For everyone involved it was very traumatic. If you lose a friend and a soldier from your team who is someone you came up with and have roots with, then it’s really hard to see that go and you don’t ever regain that same energy again so you just have to accept it and move on. Now it’s about finding a level where we are comfortable musically and that’s an exciting thing to do. I think we’re at a place where that is happening.
Tell us about the new drummer, Matt Flynn—did you have an initiation ceremony?
He was on tour with Gavin DeGraw, who was opening for us, and he was out with me and [guitarist] James [Valentine]. Ryan was injured at this point and he just said that if we needed someone, to ask him. So we did and it’s working out really well. There was no initiation ceremony, but we do like to give him a little hazing every now and then!
You definitely have a great sense of personal style and have even done a few fashion shoots for mags in the past. Is that something that comes naturally?
I think the fashion aspect of photo shoots is really good fun, and I’m certainly not ashamed to say that I really like it. When I’m in front of the camera, you pick up on what looks good and what works. So I do purposely pick certain clothes. I do have a little help every now and then, but mainly it’s down to me.
You had a great outfit on at the Nickleodeon Kid’s Choice Awards—very European with the scarf and shirt.
[Laughs] Yeah, to me the English are certainly the barometer of fashion...
That’s what I think, but as an English guy it seems rude to say.
You are just way ahead of the Americans. You guys really set the fashion template. You know, I’m going to try and bring the scarf into America! [Laughs]
What are you like as a shopping buddy? Would it be a fun day out?
Um, it would probably be a very expensive day out. I do enjoy shopping, I admit it, but I love YSL which can be expensive. I just love it. I can’t get enough of it. I’m literally dripping in it!
If you took us out for a night on the town, what could we expect?
Well, you would definitely have to dress up for dinner. I like to make it an occasion. Food is definitely the main focus of the night, as it’s my favorite thing in the world. So we’d have to enjoy the food first and then move on to maybe having some tequila, at probably about 10:30 p.m. Yeah, that sounds good.
Tequila at 10:30 is very precise!
[Laughs] Yeah, it’s the patented Adam Levine night out.
You are certainly a good looking chap and must get girls coming onto you all the time. Do you ever get the guys chancing their luck?
No, the guys don’t really chance it. I think perhaps I have projected a very strong heterosexual image on the world, so I never get any gentlemen callers
Yes, I used to say the same thing to my mom. What’s the best pick up line you’ve ever used?
Man, i don’t think I’ve ever really used pick up lines. It’s not about pick up lines anyway. It’s about exchanging looks. Eye contact is always good. If they hold your stare even for a second, it builds confidence. You should take your time, you can’t rush these things. You got to have eye contact and then make your move.
You have an incredibly loyal legion of fans, yet you will only tell Billy Joel where the name Maroon 5 came from. What can we do to bribe it out of you?
Oh no, Billy Joel is going to be so upset that I told him! I am a huge, huge fan of his, so when we met up and he asked, of course I had to tell him. I confess I did tell him not to tell anyone, because it’s not a particularly interesting story!
It’s now legal to get married here in England if you’re gay. Have you been invited to any celebrity weddings yet?
Actually, considering that I would tell Elton John where the name Maroon 5 came from if he asked, I am actually terribly insulted that he didn’t invite me to his wedding. So next time you come across Sir Elton, you can let him know that!
I tend not to come across him too often, but next time I see him, I’ll be sure to mention it. Do you think gay folks will ever be able to get married in the States?
Oh, it’s the most silly, most backwards ridiculous law I know of. Honestly, people should really get their heads out of their asses. Is anyone really hurting anyone else if they choose to marry someone of the same sex? I don’t believe they are. It’s just so archaic and ludicrous.
I couldn’t have put it better myself! Last question: When all is said and done, what do you think the title of your autobiography will be?
Wow! Good question. [Thinks...then thinks some more] I think it would be called Lucky And Qualified. I’m not sure what it means yet, but i’ll let it sit for a couple of years. Lucky And Qualified. I do like that.
Make sure you’re wearing YSL on the cover.
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Paul Reynolds discusses music, fashion and that funny thing called life each day at thezapping.com.
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Instinct Online 
written by Georgia on June 07, 2007
Adam sounds so down to earth. He's amazing. :] Great interview!
written by Grandma May on June 07, 2007
He sounds cocky as usual!
written by chad on June 09, 2007
ive always loved him. haha. but that was one great interview.
written by gfgfgfgfgfgfgf on June 11, 2007
is a good interview ....i love it
written by Harley on June 13, 2007
Adam is so HOTTT!!!! You wouldnt be able to find anyone else so down to earth and open-minded
written by Jay on June 17, 2007
I'd fuck him.
written by AggieRob69 on June 23, 2007
I believe that he is very conscious and educated on the homo-sexual scene, yet, i believe that he may be "Gay" himself.
written by freeparisfromthisoutrageouspoliticalandmediacircus on June 24, 2007
Cool interveiw. Good questions. Adam Levine is an intersting personality.
written by Krzyleo on June 28, 2007
Yes, he is hot and cocky. Mmmm. He has to be gay right? lol.
written by cheley & vicki on August 25, 2007
love it! adam is proper sexi!
we love you in yorkshire adam!
written by laura on August 27, 2007
lov love love love love adam levine
written by Sere on September 07, 2007
Adam, you're great!! I love you so much, kisses from your biggest fan ^^
written by anu on September 25, 2007
he is just soo sexy!!!!
maan i wish i had a man lik him!!!!
written by suki999 on October 08, 2007
adam!!marry me!!!!dump ur girlfriend!im so much better!!
written by Lorenza on October 13, 2007
HOT SEXY ROMANTIC DOWN-TO-EARTH PERFECT = ADAM LEVINE
Shit, YOU are for real! love ya here in South America
written by Hasan Zahirovic on January 22, 2008
Adam I wanna lick your ass
written by H on February 03, 2008
Hi,
could you possible delete the last comment where somebody used my name.
I was pretty suprise seeing it, but I guess it was a joke of the friends of mine from theatre.
Thanks a lot in advance,
H Z
written by m e on February 11, 2008
awesome album maroon 5 is the best
written by m e on February 11, 2008
adam is agreat singer and guitar player maroon 5 is da shit
written by w on March 29, 2008
i think that adam is so real so down to earth so intelligent and yet so sexy!!!!!!!! i wish every man on the planet was like him!!!! love u adam
written by Hasan Zahirovic on April 09, 2008
Oh my gosh!
I need Adam`s dick and a wonderful hole!
Me Moi, what a great hole!
Ha! ha! ha!
cum on my face Adam*%*$&$%@*&^
written by Hasan Zahirovic on April 11, 2008
Your cock really great!
Your ass taste it so good...
love you so much
written by nicole on April 21, 2008
he is great/ great interview!
written by hasan zahirovic on June 06, 2008
fuck me adam....i`m totaallyyyyyyyy insane about u adam. fuck me adam. i need yourrrrr cock