The Big Questions: Mark Knight

Interview by John Mahaer. Originally published in Mixmag in July 2009.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A professional footballer or bricklayer. All my family were in construction, but I think I missed the boat on both.

What’s the worst club you’ve ever been to?
It was in Perm, Russia. I turned up and they were playing Russian slowdance music and I had to draw the prize out of the tombola. I cleared the floor and nearly got glassed.

What’s been your worst job?
I had a job building a road from 7am–7pm. Absolutely backbreaking.

What are you obsessed with?
Hublot watches. I’m really into them right now but they’re really expensive – about £15,000.

What do you hate right now?
Barcelona FC. I just want to see English football do well.

When and where were you happiest?
All the time to be honest, without sounding naff. Everyday is pretty cool.

What’s the best record ever made?
Maxwell ‘Ascension’. It’s the perfect record in every way. From the lyrical content to the production it’s absolutely faultless.

What’s the coolest thing in your house?
The soundsystem in the garden. If you’re not careful you can switch on the music indoors without knowing it’s going flat-out in the back.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
Practice makes better. A guy called Kevin Cadle [Sky Sports presenter] used to coach me when I played semi-pro basketball and told me that you’ll never be perfect but you can improve.

Who’s your all-time hero and why?
Glenn Hoddle. He could ping a 40-yard pass to your foot. He is probably the most underrated, skilful footballer this country has had.

What do you collect – apart from records?
Vintage cars. I’ve got a ’62 Lotus Elan. I’m about to buy a ’66 Porsche 911.

What’s your vice?
Working too much.

What were you doing at 2pm last Sunday afternoon?
Flying back from Jakarta.

Who was your first love and what happened?
I had an old BMX called a Pro Lite but it was made out of lead. I think we scrapped it and bought a house out of the proceeds.

What’s your answer to everything?
“Leave it with me and I’ll sort that out.”

On a scale of one to ten, how good are you in the sack?
That’s definitely related to drink. There’s a relation between how drunk you are and how well you perform. But I’d say I have a mean of seven.

What’s your most prized possession that you’ve still got from when you were a kid?
A 1984 West Ham Iveco shirt. It’s the best kit they ever had.

Have you ever had a homosexual experience?
No. Definitely no.

What was your last big treat for yourself?
I’ve just bought a brand new Range Rover Sport.

Do you have a recurring dream?
I have a dream about changing drums in records. It takes so long for your brain to switch off.

What would you change about yourself if you could?
I’d want to be about a stone and a half lighter and for my right knee to work. Oh, and some more hair.

What’s the worst item of clothing you’ve ever worn?
There was a phase around ’94 when everyone used to bust the tartan trousers – it was the Al MacKenzie and D:Rream era.

If you had a Tardis, what time would you go back to?
To go back and change some of those Saturday night outfits, some of the shit like bright silver trousers.

What’s your lamest claim to fame?
I won a national Lego competition when I was a kid and met The Queen.

Read more: Mixmag