RIP Keith Flint (The Prodigy)
Like a bolt from the blue, we learned today that Keith Flint, the flamboyant frontman of “The Prodigy”, has passed away. Flint, who turned 49, was crazy about everything to do with motorcycles and visited the GP of Valkenswaard in 2011. Six years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing him.
In person, Keith turned out to be a very amiable, normal boy who made time for an extensive chat with a Belgian reporter without any pretenses. Clearly passionate about motorcycles, it was a nice conversation. One that I also personally enjoyed because “The Prodigy” - good for around 30 million records sold - was one of my favorite bands as a teenager.
Below is the interview with Keith as a tribute to 'those fools' from Firestarter but above all a warm personality and a great entertainer.
Tastes differ, but for a guaranteed adrenaline rush, The Prodigy is the right place for you. Ever since I met the English band 20 years ago, at the time of 'Out of Space', I have continued to follow them. With hits such as 'Firestarter', 'Breathe', thrilling live shows and five exciting CDs, Liam Howlett and co managed to firmly establish themselves in the leading group of electronic music. The Prodigy proved that they are far from finished singing three years ago with the excellent 'Invaders must die'. Their new album 'How to steal a jet fighter' will be released later this year. Although Liam is the musical brains of the group, the hyperkinetic Keith Flint has emerged as the frontman and an important musical sparring partner for Howlett.
The dangerous-looking Flint not only deals in piercings and tattoos, he is also known as a passionate motorcyclist and racer. Well then.
It was written in the stars that I would become a motorcyclist. My two older brothers were already driving, so the step was quickly taken. One loved sports bikes, the other was more of a hardcore biker type. I always hung out with other riders and basically I love anything with an engine and wheels. I started club racing in 1998, but a serious crash at Mallory Park and intense touring with The Prodigy put my racing plans on hold. At the end of 2010 I started visiting the circuits again. Last year I rode my first season in the Hottrax Endurance Championship with my own team; Team Traction Control. We are currently second in the championship, a few points behind the leaders.”
“I love the whole team aspect of endurance racing. We are currently still competing at a modest level, but next year we want to switch to the national championship. One day doing a round of the World Endurance Championships is a dream. Not an unattainable dream by the way, because to be honest, it is a goal to expand the team in that direction in the long term. The passion to make it as a musician is the same as that of a top rider. You need an all-consuming appetite, otherwise it won't work. Both the music business and racing can give you great satisfaction, but there is also a flip side to the coin. These are hard worlds.”
“If you come to a circuit just before the weekend there is nothing. The same applies to a festival meadow. Suddenly the whole circus rolls up and everyone leaves again on Sunday evening. That's very Rock & Roll! Racing and life in the paddock are a bit like touring with a band. It is a nomadic existence, you actually live in your van for a weekend, just like you constantly see in a bus on tour. Of course it's not just about that camping feeling. Experiencing your thrill on a circuit and completing fast laps completes the experience. For me, motorcycle racing is the ideal outlet. The excitement of giving 60.000 people a good show is comparable to the sensation on a race track. Training to race keeps me on my toes. You need good endurance for both a performance and a 3-hour race.”
“Controlled madness, that's what road racing and our performances have in common! You have to go for it, you have to be strong and you cannot hide away. A touch of brutality also helps. But complete madness always ends badly. That's a blurry line. For me it's more about the freedom to do what you want. If all goes well, you will also drive very spontaneously with a kind of flow. You don't have to think, you just have to feel what the engine is doing and anticipate to push harder and brake later. Of course you retain a certain degree of control, that's how it is with our shows. We never rehearse, we just go with our feelings.”
“No, I don't have an iPod with heavy music on before I go racing! Most of the time I just stand at the pit wall watching the other drivers or the race in front of me. I absorb the atmosphere and try to build up my concentration. It's like standing at the side of the stage at a festival and watching the group play in front of you. You see how the others are doing, and you know it will be your turn soon.”
“The pure power of the sound blows you away during a performance. On a 200 hp racing engine, the sound is also very physical. And nothing beats the raw, unmuffled sound of a MotoGP machine. Insanely beautiful! What also gives me goosebumps is the moment just before the race when you are ready with all the bikes in the parc fermé. You then feel the brutal power of all those racing engines together, the sound of the induction and riders making their engines howl. Those typical smells too. It looks like some kind of ancient tribal ritual! Or a battle cry that sounds before all hell breaks loose.”
“Contrary to my podium personality, I am not an aggressive rider. I would rather describe myself as 'smooth'. As training I ride quite a lot off-road, I think it also helps me on asphalt. On the other hand, I am determined when it comes to overtaking. Circuit driving is very dynamic. There is always something new you can learn. Doing everything just a little faster, pushing the limits of grip... racing is really a craft! You can only master that craft by riding, through a lot of time and dedication and last but not least through the passion with which you do it. Anyone who wants to learn to drive like Casey Stoner can't go to the shop for that. You can't buy it, you have to earn it. By the way, what kind of circuit is Zolder anyway?”
Nationality: Brit
Born: September 17
Location: Essex, England
Famous for: dancer and singer of The Prodigy
Rock star claim: sex, drugs and techno!
Racing career: 2011-
Highlight: “In 2007 I drove back home in one go after the GP in Jerez. That was almost 2.300 kilometers. We only stopped to refuel and drink an espresso each time! Coincidentally, I got talking to an English guy in the Monster Energy hospitality who had just picked up a Ducati Desmosedici in Italy. We were talking about a non-stop trip from the south of Spain to northern France where you take the ferry to England in less than 24 hours. Someone said that will never work. You should never say something like that to me. Together with that Duc rider and his comrade we drove back, what a ride!”
First victory:“Last year we achieved our first victory with my endurance team at Oulton Park. All circumstances together made for a beautiful cocktail; it was raining, it was the last race of the season, it was my birthday that day and Oulton Park is a circuit that takes courage. A circuit for real guys. Winning by chance is impossible there. That was a bit of my Stoner moment, like Casey in Phillip Island last year!”
Favorite riders: “Mick Doohan, who is now a good friend, is at the top. When I met Mick for the first time I was speechless! I didn't know what was happening to me while I met all the major world stars in music without batting an eyelid. I also have a lot of admiration for Ron Haslam and the late Barry Sheene. Or what Casey Stoner does on a motorcycle, that's indescribable! As an Englishman, I am proud of what Cal Crutchlow is showing this year and the Valentino Rossi soap opera is fascinating to follow. I'm not a fan of one specific rider of today, but I have boundless respect for what they do on a motorcycle!”
Keith's engines: “Suzuki is kind enough to lend me motorcycles for my commute. Mainly to and from the recording studio. Now I drive a Hayabusa, before it was a GSR750. I myself have an FTR Moto2 GP motorcycle, two GSX-R1000 racing motorcycles built by Crescent-Suzuki, a 250cc KTM enduro, Yamaha FZR400 and a Honda CB900F. I am not a collector or polisher. If I don't drive them anymore, I'll get rid of them!”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Archive
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