MANY people know Gavin Friday as the founder of the Virgin Prunes and one of Bono’s best mates. However, the 46-year-old rocker is also a highly accomplished artist and actor.
Born in Dublin in 1959, Friday left a Christian Brothers education to found the Virgin Prunes at 18. The band’s uncompromising body of work ensured a dedicated fan base in Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe.
In 1986, Friday briefly abandoned the band to paint, an act that culminated two years later in the 1988 exhibition, I Didn’t Come up the Liffey in a Bubble, at Dublin’s Hendricks Gallery.
In 1987, he returned to the stage, acting as master of ceremonies in his own weekly cabaret, Blue Jaysus. The gig, with its burlesque songs featured alongside comedy and drag acts, was a hit. It wasn’t long before Friday and the resident pianist, Maurice Seezer, were signed to Island Records.
Two albums followed, Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves in 1989 and Adam’n’Eve in 1992. Singles from the latter album were chart hits in Europe. Three years later, Friday released Shag Tobacco, a dance album, and went on tour with his band.
In 1993, Friday collaborated with Bono for the film In the Name of the Father. They recorded the title track, as well as the Sinead O’Connor hit You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart.
In 1996, Friday and Seezer contributed the song Angel to Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet. A number of film scores followed including The Boxer, Disco Pigs and In America.
Last year, Friday and Seezer teamed up with the famed producer Quincy Jones to score the Jim Sheridan-directed 50 Cent biopic Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
That year also saw the acclaimed director Neil Jordan cast Friday as the sexually ambiguous rocker Billy Hatchet in the movie Breakfast on Pluto. Starring alongside Cillian Murphy, Liam Neeson and Brendan Gleeson, Friday held his own and received much praise for his debut screen appearance.
Earlier this year, Friday and Seezer joined forces with other Dublin luminaries such as Bono, Andrea Corr and former Virgin Prunes colleagues Guggi and Dave-id to record a collection of sea songs and shanties, entitled Rogue’s Gallery.
Fans of Friday can see him play at Liberty Hall in Dublin on July 27 and 28. He will also be singing at the Point on October 4 with stars such as Nick Cave, Lou Reed and Jarvis Cocker at the Leonard Cohen tribute show, Came So Far for Beauty.
How much money do you normally have in your wallet and do you carry anything unusual or sentimental in it?
It depends. I don’t usually carry that much cash. At the most, I might have about €200. I use my credit card mostly. I have a relic from the Shroud of Turin tucked in there.
What was your first job and how much were you paid?
I worked in Kilmartin’s turf accountants from the age of 12. It was a summer job that also employed me at weekends and bank holidays.
As for the wages, I am not sure how much I got. It’s a bit of a blank. Something like IR£12 (about €15) a week. That was way back in 1972.
Have you ever been really hard-up or broke?
Yes. I grew up in the 1970s. The 1980s were also pretty tough.
Are you a saver or a spender?
A spender.
What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you financially?
I don’t think of things in such terms. We all make mistakes or get ripped off.
What would you never spend money on?
The lotto, football and McDonald’s.
What do you invest in and do you consider yourself a risk-taker?
I invest in art. Am I a risk-taker? Very much so.
Do you gamble?
The kind of work I do is a constant gamble. As regards betting on the horses, for example, I never gamble. I saw way too much as a teenager when I worked in Kilmartin’s.
What is your biggest money weakness?
I don’t really give a shit about the money. Is that a weakness?
What is the most lucrative work you have done and did you use the fee for something special?
Mmm. I’m not too sure about that one. Maybe a song called Angel. I usually buy a painting or some objet d’art with my fees.
Do you own property and would you consider investing in the property market now?
I have a lovely house of my own. I am not sure whether I would invest in the market. Maybe I’d consider buying something outside of Ireland.
What is more important, time off or money in the bank?
The most important thing to me is work and loving one’s work. Then some time off, and if money goes into the bank — well, fair enough.
Have you ever received really bad financial advice?
Yes, but we all live and learn.
Would you like to live somewhere other than Ireland?
I reckon I will always live or come back to live in Ireland. My work takes me away a lot. I love New York and I could live and work there, but not for too long. I also have a weakness for Seville in the south of Spain and adore most things Italian. I could also see myself in Berlin. There is a bit of a boho in me, but I’m also a die-hard Dub.
Have you ever seen anybody else spend money in a way that shocked you?
I am not that easily shocked, but I have seen some extraordinary things regarding the spending of money — some very extraordinary things.
If you could change one thing about the Irish tax system what would it be?
This is a difficult one. Mainly I would be concerned about the sick and the elderly. I’d like to see a lot more funds targeted towards helping these people.
Have you ever won or surprisingly come into a sum of money?
No. I work hard and I am lucky enough to love what I do.
Do you donate to charity?
Yes. I donate my personal time to numerous fundraising projects such as Concern, the Irish Hospice and the Samaritans.
What is the most important lesson you have learnt about money?
Easy come, easy go.
If you had an unlimited supply of money for one week, what would be the top three items on your shopping list?
I would give most of it away, then I would have the biggest party for my friends and loved ones and then buy myself a Picasso.
