Legendary punk icon Iggy Pop has given a new interview in which he discusses his recent controversial appearance in an advert for insurance firm Swiftcover.
Iggy Pop’s raucous approach to rock ‘n’ roll made him a seminal touchstone for the emerging punk movements. In the space of three albums The Stooges slashed open the face of progressive rock, with guitar lines that collapsed into feedback and Pop’s howling at the moon style vocals.
An outrageous frontman, Iggy Pop’s solo career has had its up and downs. Releasing classics such as ‘The Idiot’ the singer has also spent time on the sidelines, his chaotic persona unwelcome in the staid world of corporate rock.
Reforming The Stooges in 2004, Iggy Pop was able to introduce their music to a whole new generation. I Wanna Be Your Dog? Damn straight.
All of which made the singer’s recent appearance in a television advert for the insurance firm Swiftcover a bit bizarre. Fans were puzzled, and then thoroughly bemused when it turned out that Swiftcover’s plan didn’t include musicians.
Twelve complaints were received, and adverting agencies upheld the criticism forcing the company to alter the promo.
In a new interview with The Times the singer discussed the advert. “This is so embarrassing. I was afraid you’d ask me that. This is so fucking embarrassing,” he told the newspaper.
He explained the company wanted someone who “you can’t help but like” to appear in the commercials.
“That’s a very nervous position to be in… to be liked,” he added.
Recently Iggy Pop has been at work on a new album, said to be deeply influenced by jazz and French literature. ‘Preliminaries’ nods towards New Orleans in the 1930s, swapping electric guitars for a more sedate, acoustic setting.
However the singer has always been a fan of jazz. The Stooges’ second album ‘Fun House’ uses the saxophone of Steve McKay to produce a howling freeform storm, while Iggy Pop has frequently stated his love of the genre in interviews.
Iggy Pop is due to release ‘Preliminaries’ today (May 18th).
