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Issue #78, Part 2 - Sep 2007

Rik Rolski: 'As a long time fan I would like to read an account of what it was like in the England you grew up in.? I'm sure it's changed over time as much as the States has. New CD just great - thanks for working so hard.' Good idea, Rik. Have you read, 'Austerity Britain 1945-51' by David Kynaston? It's a bit dry in places - finance, politics, etc - but there's some amazing stuff in there that brought back memories I had long forgotten. At that time there was an innocence, but there was also an ignorance. People believed what their 'betters' told them. Professions (Doctors, barristers, professors, ministers) were patronizing and somewhat arrogant (no change there then). The pace of life was a lot slower then - you could actually drive a car, and old people weren't permanently petrified as the law was the law. The people who've run England since the '60s have done a God awful job and should be totally ashamed of themselves. And it gets worse and worse as the unchecked underbelly become wilder and more miserable. There's still a lot of great and good people in the UK (and elsewhere!) but I think their patience is running out. Yes, maybe I'll have a go sometime in the future, Rik. Sounds like fun!

Scott Trapani: 'DAMN this new album is really, really good. Not as old as you, 45 today! (Happy Birthday, Scott.) You continue to make the best music, but I don't agree with your political leanings (hard right republican).' First time I've been called that!

Richard Rimmer: ' 'Rant' and 'Shrunken Heads' best back to back releases ever. What keeps you inspired?' In the making of 'Rant' and 'Shrunken Heads' - stupidity is probably the biggest inspiration.

Bucks Burnett wants a plug for his new site - namedroppermedia.com - New edition has an interview with Scott MaCaughey of Minus 5 and we talk about you quite a bit - your readers might like it. He's also host the official talkingheads77.com website. 'Can you forward a brief quote for their 30 anniversary? See you in London.' I don't know about a quote Bucks, but I do get the feeling you have tremendous energy and I think you can do anything you want to do.

Johnny Bedford: Glad you're through it and out the other end. It's all to do with hanging in - that's what separates the men from the boys. A very famous person once told me he liked me because I 'hang in'. I wasn't sure if it was a compliment at the time, but after all these years, I think it was.

Phil made the trip from St. Louis to Cleveland and is coming to Milwaukee in October. 'Any chance of 'Scars,' 'Journey', 'R+R Queen', 'Hymn for the Dudes', or 'Ballad of Mott'? (Maybe one of them.) SH fantastic!! Saw MTH in '72, '73' '74 - still have ticket stubs - which is more that I can say for my hair!' See you in Milwaukee! Tim Crich: Wasted - wasted - wasted - again!

Fiona: 'Was it difficult being moved around as a kid?' I went to seven schools - I was at Elsmere Grammar for a year when my Dad moved us to Shrewsbury. That was where I lost it. The Shrewsbury school was a bad as the Ellesmere School had been good. Shrewsbury just about killed me education wise. They did have few good teachers (Scott comes to mind) but I was never fortunate enough to be taught by the good ones. We had all the nut cases. 'Was I chasing a dream or just surviving in the 60's?' Both. Bill Farley phone call: I had a headache (and I never get headaches, but I had a bad one that day). I was living two bus rides from the Archway to the West End. Fortunately, both buses were waiting. 'Did you have any idea this was the start of something big?' Not really. Even in the early days, after I got the gig with MTH - when we were opening for King Crimson and Free - we often felt like packing it in. But the roadies of the headlining bands were always saying we had something special - encouraging us not to quit. 'Trouble within the band after the first album?' There wasn't much trouble, really. We worked non-stop and it was crazy - even when Guy wasn't around. Usual mayhem. 'Why didn't the early albums sell well?' Probably because they weren't good enough for the average listener. They were great to some though. I didn't like my singing on 'Mad Shadows', then again, how do you interpret singing - the emotion was there. 'Brain Capers': Guy, Andy Johns - MTH - flat out with the bailiffs at the door! Most of what happened is already documented - the stuff that isn't should stay that way. 'Why the Split?' We were knackered - enough already. It was a release. Afterward we liked each other again. The pressure was off. 'Dudes': It's a great song - a classic - up there with 'Layla' and all the rest. We knew it was a hit the minute we heard it. Defines a decade - plus a bit of glam thrown it. 'The Book': Was easy to write - it's a diary, only larger. 'Ralpher Leaving - the turning point?' Well, yes. Mick wrote many of the tunes, so things became harder for me as the writer. At least I had a head start. We already had 'Roll Away the Stone' in the can and that was going to be a hit. It was unfortunate, but unavoidable. I couldn't sing Mick's songs that well, and neither could he, so off he went with Mr. Rogers. 'Glasgow Apollo': I was telling people to stand on the seats? I don't remember doing that - a bit daft - but it sounds like me at the time. Was every gig crazy? Not all of them. 'The Hoople': The Hoople was the Hoople. I enjoyed every minute of it (apart from Advision - which was a nightmare). It's not Mott part two. It's a different album - keyboard and string inclined - less emphasis on the guitar to give Luther time to adjust. Perhaps it was a little over ambitious - better to be over than under. 'Ronson': When he joined, initially, I thought it was a no brainer. 'The end of MTH': Hind sight would have it that the band had run its course. There's a lot of things you can point to and a lot of blame attached - but it was over and done - period. 'Maltese Cross': Bought it in San Francisco with Ralpher for $32.50. Some pawn shops were in dodgy areas. They'd kill hairy people, but they liked the English for some reason - so we talked loud. Old red neck pawn shops were the cheapest and sometimes the nastiest. They all had guns under the counter. A guy pulled one on Ralpher as I remember. 'Trudi': She does what she does - I do what I do. We're pretty much opposites - we fill each others gaps. It's not flawless, but so far so good. 'Tracie': I'm proud of all my kids. They're all great to me. She chose music - fine - I just want her to be happy. It's not the nicest profession in the world - pretty dehumanizing actually - but as long as she's happy doing it - that's it. That's life - doing what you want to do. It's not easy, but again, it's a question of alternatives. 'What album wouldn't I be without?': The next one. Hope that helps you get off the ground Fiona. Good luck.

Greg: 'Why not Boston? Great crowd at the Paradise in 2001. BTW for some reason, it didn't hit me right away, but SH is really amazing.' Look, I want to do Boston, but if they can't make it financially viable, then it's impossible.

Voctor Martinez: 'SH on vinyl?' Not my department. 'Do you have a say?' I don't really want one. I just make them. I've no idea what happens after that, but it's a tad soul destroying going through the musical mill. I try to avoid it. Does it cost me? I don't really know. 'SH and RANT on vinyl' Actually, there was a firm in England that did special editions; maybe it'll come up.

Jerry Ross: Actually, I believe Yep Roc have been thinking along your lines. And, hey, you never know.

Have you noticed vulgar little Americanisms creeping into HM vocabulary? Words such as NAH - Yeah - YUP - Git yah - I must be turning!!

Jan Capell: This piece of crap has been around for ages on the scumbag circuit. Sure you can sue - 'Join the queue.' Is their favourite riposte. What a pathetic way to make a living. Parasites. Obviously, nothing to do with MTH.

John Raddatz: 'Stretch' was a dear friend who is no longer with us and sorely missed.

Paul Wison: Oh very good, Paul. Now you tell me. It was all hinging on that room.

Lee Scott: 'Any chance of a MTH reunion?' NO.

Rick Goward: Sorry to hear about your loss, Rick. Know what it's like. I shall!!!

Matt: 'Don't write much, been a fan since late '70's. Love 'Shrunken Heads' - magnificent record. Always loved your writing but there seems to be a point when writers (music and fiction) seem to settle into an amazing groove for a while and that's what this record feels like to me. The end result just feels like it flowed out of you. It really is a fantastic record.' You need a lot of help for it to flow. I had a lot and I'm grateful for it.

Shawn Fernandez: Message received with thanks.

Jason Rubin: 'Was in Cleveland and read you donated Schizo-era piano to the Hall of Fame. Do you compose exclusively on piano?' Mainly acoustic - 12 strings - piano. Yes, if anybody pops into the Hall the piano is next to ZZ Tops car (they sent me a photo). It's on loan to the Hall for a couple of years. It's the piano I wrote 'Cleveland Rocks' on (among others). So, I'm glad its where it belongs.

Jimmy Ashhurst: 'Both our albums are in the running for the 'Classic Rock' Album of the year. Wish you the best - can we still be friends if we win?' NO!!!

Tod S: 'How about a show in CT. Easy commute.' Show me the money!

Phil Huband attended a recent audio/visual presentation by Ken Scott entitled, 'Me and Mr. Jones'. He couldn't have been more complimentary about Mick Ronson. He recalled how Mick used to run to the washroom at Trident just before a session started and came up with string arrangements in no time at all (true). He also said Mick was wholly underappreciated by the Bowie camp. (also true). Also, the history of Columbia Records entitled 'The Label by Gary Marmorstein. It focuses mainly on the 40's and 50's during Goddard Leiberson's period (what a man). Half page devoted to Mott the Hoople. The author claims you were signed by Dan Loggins - Kenny Loggins' brother? (Yup - I mean, yes.) And there's a quote from your book duly footnoted.' Question: Road crews vary. Some bands carry their own - easier to deal with than local union crews. All depends on how much you earn. Roadies, like everyone else have hopes and dreams and some of them become huge themselves as promoters, managers and such. Peter Grant comes immediately to mind.

Rick L: 'What's your favourite book?' Changes all the time. Reading about the building of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome at the moment. We were there last year. Wish I'd known then, what I know now.

Glenn the Rock: Can't remember 'Green Acres' comment. Luther was there at the time and ready to rock. 'Describe IH in the third person.' My Mum said I was stubborn.

Eric Taylor: Yes, it's all in E - not that hard once you get the hang of it.

Paul Cavani: 'Soap 'n' Water' great song but bitter. What rider do you ask for?' My tastes are simple: two bottles of champagne (Verve Cliquot - Roederer - Mumms) and a bit of cheese. All the band have a glass before we go on and when we come off. Then they'll attack the red wine long after I'm in bed.

Vicki Z: Keep a look out.

Mike Butterworth: Take a plane - it was hot LA to Vegas and back - 110.

Alrighty then, that's it for now. Stay cool.

IH
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