Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno: ‘I’m attracted to things that scare me’

What is your earliest memory?
I had a little toy car and it got smashed. I remember my Italian granddad, who died when I was about two, picking it up and fixing it. I remember a red leather settee, and he had a suit on.

Who was or still is your mentor?
There’s been quite a few. My wife, for sure; that goes without saying. Noel Fielding, one of my really good mates, is a real inspiration creatively. He’s an artist, a comedian and a rock star, in a way. When we met, I just instantly felt like I had known him all my life.

How fit are you?
Since taking on the new role as the [Kasabian] frontman, I’ve tapped back into fitness. Performing now, you have to be an athlete. Our shows, they’re serious, big, big shows. Growing up, I loved sports — football, tennis, athletics. Becoming a musician, I wasn’t that into that side of my life. Through lockdown, I started getting on a bike. And running has become a massive part of my life. Now I run every day. It’s a life changer, getting up and getting out. It’s so good.

Tell me about an animal you have loved.
My wife’s a veterinary nurse. She wanted a dog for a very long time, and I was always: “absolutely no way”. Just before lockdown — I can’t even remember saying I wanted a dog! — a little Hungarian vizsla turned up at our house. He’s called Vince. The love I have for that dog! We’ve now also got a little Patterdale called Kiddo, so we’ve got Vince Noir and Beatrix Kiddo. I don’t know how this happened, but I’m now a massive dog person. If they’re not in the house, the energy is completely changed. The house is alive when they’re there.

Risk or caution, which has defined your life more?
Risk. I’m attracted to things that scare me. If my initial thought is, “I can’t do that”, I almost define myself by going ahead and doing it.

What trait do you find most irritating in others?
Dishonesty. I can’t take lies. I’d rather the truth at all costs.

What trait do you find most irritating in yourself?
A tendency to overthink. When I’m focused on writing that mindset is fantastic because ideas fly in; there’s never writer’s block. But when it’s not got a focus, it’s not good. I’d like to be able to be in the moment more.

What drives you on?
I don’t know. It’s just who I am.

Do you believe in an afterlife?
The consciousness within me — whatever that is — I feel that will go somewhere when this body can’t go on. I don’t know where or whether I’ll even know.

Which is more puzzling, the existence of suffering or its frequent absence?
The voice in your head is so easy to hear when it’s making you suffer. You’ll have 100 tweets and, if there’s one bad one, that’s the one you go to.

Name your favourite river.
At the end of our garden there’s a little river that feeds the River Sence [in Leicestershire]. I walk the dogs there, it’s beautiful, tranquil, real picturesque English greenery.

What would you have done differently?
I’d have liked to have gone to art school. When I left school, I just left. I didn’t know anything else was a possibility. But I don’t want to go back and mess around with my timeline. It’s gone pretty well.