Political Spin: Liam Kerr MSP

What was the first record you ever bought?
It was either Freddie Mercury’s Love Kills, or Queen’s I Want To Break Free. I definitely recall buying both of those but I can’t tell you which one was first.

Is there a song that will always get you on the dance floor?
Depends on the dance floor. Until relatively recently, I would always go to a club called Madchester in Edinburgh, which was on when I was at university and so when I was at Madchester, it would always be I Am the Resurrection or The Only One I Know. But when I lived in London I used to go to a disco club on Tottenham Court Road. So, anything like Le Freak or Disco Inferno, I’d be up dancing to that.

Do you have a go-to karaoke song? 
Oh, yes. So again, it depends on the situation. If I’ve got someone to duet with, I’ll do Summer Nights out of Grease, which is always good fun. But the other one – and this hasn’t arisen for a very long time, I’m happy to say – is Elvis and  Always On My Mind.  I remember singing it to a particular young lady in Kingston back in the late 90s. I think I can do a decent job of it and she certainly thought so that evening.

That’s quite a range if you’re doing John Travolta and Elvis...
One tries one’s best. I’m not sure how well it comes out. 

What was the first dance at your wedding?
I can’t remember. I think it was Fly Me To The Moon? Fiona and I got married up at the top of CairngGorm. We got a swing band up there who did all the music and it was amazing. It was wonderful. But I can’t say for certain what the first song was.

Is Fly Me To The Moon a special song for you and your wife?
I don’t think so.

What song do you want played at your funeral? 
I don’t know. I’ve never really given it much thought because of course, in some respects, I won’t be there. My favourite band is the Sisters of Mercy. They’ve featured on my top playlists since I was very young. They’ve a song from the 80s called Bury Me Deep, which is somewhat depressing and would presumably bring everyone down, but you have to say it would be the most appropriate.

Is there a song guaranteed to make you cry?
The only thing that gets me emotional, I just think this is beautiful, is Faure’s Requiem. I’ve sung it several times, and I’ve sung the Mozart Requiem, at the Usher Hall, two or three years ago. And both of those I think are just exquisite. But possibly the Faure; I just think it’s such an exquisitely beautiful piece of music – that’s probably the closest I get to welling up.

Is there a song you absolutely hate that gets stuck in your head?
Anything by The Flaming Lips. No idea what it is about them. I just really don’t like their music. 

Is there a record you’re embarrassed to own?
Van Halen. I actually quite like Van Halen, to be honest. But at the same time, there’s not a great deal that’s cool about having a Van Halen record. That’s probably as close as I get.

What gig are you going to next?
I’m just at the moment scoping out Alice Cooper and The Cult, they’re playing in May in Glasgow. I’ve seen The Cult loads, and they’re outstanding.

The last gig that I went to see, a tremendous day this was, back in August was Arab Strap, who I love. Got the train back to Edinburgh and then picked up the sleeper down to London to see the Sisters at Camden Roundhouse again for the second time in about three years. 

I’m having a good year because I’m off to see the Dandy Warhols in February and [Pink Floyd co-founder] Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets in the summer at the Usher Hall. So a great year.