Collections Interview
Name: Anette S
Forum Username: @nette
Location: Tørvikbygd, Norway
Age: born in 1982
When and how did you get into Garbage?
I've previously said the end of 95 when I saw the video for Milk Siren Mix on MTV, but a couple of years ago I came to realise it was released at the end of 96, so now I'm a bit uncertain. I remember seeing the build-up for the MTV Europe Music Awards in 96 (which I also can't remember when exactly it was) and was constantly pissed off that I never got to see the entire video for Only Happy When It Rains. When they won the Breakthrough Award I was very happy cos I thought they were awesome, but Shirley seemed to me the scariest woman on the planet and I wouldn't want to go near her. I was sure she'd bite my head off. I never got around to actually buying the record, god knows why...
After that things kind of died down with the exception of #1 Crush which I thought was the most brilliant song ever! A friend of mine bought the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack and I would constantly nag her to put Garbage on. Which, by the way, she never did..
When Version 2.0 came out the first video I saw was Push It, I thought it was awful, but then I Think I'm Paranoid came up and I completely fell in love, these guys were so awesome, I had to buy the record(oddly enough, Push It immediately became my fave song). I bought Version 2.0 in July 98 while on holiday with my parents and I couldn't put it down, I thought it was the most brilliant album I'd ever heard. In September that year I finally got around to buying the first album and thought it was even better! That same year I started Videregående/Upper Secondary/College (what ever you want to call it) and was introduced to the internet for the first time ever. I went mad looking for everything I could find on Garbage; articles, photos etc. And pretty soon found out that Shirley wasn't as scary as she appeared to be, that she was more the abnormal girl like me. After that I started getting a personal interrest, and started enterpreting the song lyrics which I found to be very similar to my thoughts, feelings and behaviour. I don't want to elaborate more, that's between me and Shirley..
When did you start collecting?
Pretty much as soon as I'd gotten the albums, I wanted to get all the songs they'd ever released and started buying all the singles I could get my hands on.
Do you or did you have any aims when you started out collecting?
Not really, I just wanted the shiny, pretty items....
How big is your collection?
Not very large compared to other hardcore collectors, but I have all the singles (apart from some BLM ones which I'm ashamed to say I haven't gotten around to buying yet). I have complete 3" singles, nearly complete debut 7" collection, some t-shirts, signed photos and cd's, promo singles, stickers, pins, limited edition albums, the usual magazine collection, tour merch including a tour itenerary for March 19 to April 6 2005, and a V2.0 RIAA award. And I've kept every ticket stub to each concert I've been to, not to mention countless photographs I've taken at the shows.
What is your favourite Garbage item in your collection?
Without a doubt the Version 2.0 RIAA award! Second fave is complete signed Vow 7".
How much do you think you have spent on your collection?
I don't know, I never kept count, I bought when I had money to pay for it. Probably around £500, don't think it's much more than that. Have had a lot of stuff given to me by generous soules.
What’s the most you have spent on a Garbage item?
$350 on the award including postage.
What’s the most you would ever spend on a Garbage item and what is it?
That depends how badly I want the item and how much I'm able to spend. What I really want is a replica of Shirley's mic stand (I know I could never get the real thing even tho I know she has several) complete with microphone.
Does your Garbage collecting Obsession stretch to seeing the band live in concert?
Eg: Do you follow the band from Show to Show for a period during a tour?
Well, that wasn't a collecting decition, but a personal one. I try to go to as many shows as I can, but unfortunately I can't go to all the shows I want to. To date I've been to a total of 16 concerts, in Norway, England, Scotland, Denmark, France and Holland.
Will you ever sell your Garbage collection? If you were asked this same question in 5 years time what would your answer be?
The tiny collection I have is of more sentimental value so I wouldn't want to lose any of it. Don't think it would be much use selling anything apart from my signed promos, vinyls and the award.