How does it feel being a drummer using a drum machine?

It's like with all technology — a love/hate relationship. When it's good, it really helps you. When it's bad it can be devastating. Nowadays I often feel that it's the real kit that can make life difficult. I have always liked gadgets, things you can play around with, touch and see the nuts and bolts of. I have a lot more fun programming a drum machine today than I used to. The first one we used in Joy Division - a CR78 I think it was - was really difficult to program. Absolute murder. After a while I just didn't bother and used the presets instead.

When they first appeared, people feared that would be the end of the percussionist.

I didn't feel threatened at all, really. I was more worried about samplers — I thought it was a bit like stealing.

With all the features and tweakabilities of a modern drum machine - isn't there a risk of it all being too complicated, or being a distraction?

In a good way! For example, with the Machinedrum you don't really mind the distraction because it is so much fun to mess about with. A lot of times you end up with good stuff more or less by accident. I wouldn't say it's complicated — it has only got six knobs — but it has a lot of depth. A lot of what technology gives you, I think, is that you never know really where you'll end up. But you need to know what you want in the first place. Once I was trying to do cow bells, but ended up with some really nice church bells instead.

I heard you collect tanks. I saw a pink one driving around the streets of London ten years ago. Was that you or Bill Drummond?

No, the pink one isn't mine - but I've got one of the same model. And it wasn't Bill. I think I know who has the pink one, someone living outside of London. An eccentric.

Finally, could you describe a perfect moment you've experienced as a drummer?

I guess that must be when we finally finished Blue Monday. It took a long time and our gear broke down all the time - it was one of those man versus machine struggles - so it was a perfect moment when we got it done.

Would you have wanted the Machinedrum around back then?

It would have been easier. We can do a lot better now!

Check out the semi-official New Order website here.