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Issue #87, Part 1 - June 18, 2008

Neal Holmes asks, 'Was Ronno a football fan?' Most definitely not. Hull's doing OK though.

Michael Haineault: We went in to record my first album with five unfinished songs - during the course of the recording (six weeks) I wrote 'Once Bitten'. Mick had a little drum machine and me and the drum machine got along just fine.

Steve Karmazin: Well, that's part of the fun isn't it? If I were to write down all the questions my hand would fall off.

Michael Lindberg (Sweden) 'Obama rocks and gives me hope for the U.S.' (me, too.) 'When do you come to Sweden?' Well, not this year because I'm doing the new record. We'll see next year.

Matt Nojonen: On politics. Look - I'm not politically inclined, really. I just don't like gross stupidity and it seems to me there's been a lot of that in recent years - both in the UK (left) and in the U.S. (right). I pay my taxes - why shouldn't I pipe up when I think something's running us into the ground. We're still free countries with free speech - aren't we?

J.K.: 'The piano in 'Rest In Peace' - I know it's Bach, but from where?' I don't know, but you're right.

Lois Tuman: 'I'm 11, but I love your music. Were you always interested in making music?' Yup. When I was 8 I heard a man playing a piano accordion and that was it. I was a fan for many years before I got the chance to actually get involved. Wouldn't change it for the world although there have been times when I would have!

Fred Heijser: 'Holland. I'm an early seventies fan and have never seen you live. It's about time I did.' You never know, maybe next year.

Gary M. (Brooklyn): Not too fond of Hillary. Hey, you go with your gut. It never turns out like they say it's going to - even with the best of intentions. Stuff happens.

Dennis Dahill: Well, thank you!

John McMillan: 'I wonder how many people died for some people's freedom to criticize. I was in Iraq for over two years and I can tell you the truth. It's mostly about corporate profit! Good luck with the next record.' Thank you, John.

Peter Lahay: 'Had a chance to see your show in London 2000. I need a fix man - come to Vancouver. Belatedly - thanks a million. Nice work.'

Carl Hewlett: 'Fan since 1976. Saw you with Todd Rundgren in high school. Are you touring the States again? 'AAAB' and 'Rant' are my favourites. Named my son, Ian - no one else in the family knows why!'

Peejay: 'Just watched 'Just Another Night' DVD - brill. I was there. Question: in the interview bit, were you nervous? You were cool as a cucumber on stage.' I'm more at home on stage than doing interviews. I might have been - it's usually down to the mood you're in and who's interviewing.

David Newton: 'S.H. awesome. Just watched Ray Davies doing Austin City Limits (he was great). Have you been asked and would you?' I don't think that's come up, but if it did I'm sure we'd look at it. I'm a fan of Austin.

Bob Jaccino: 'The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano - a total joy! Will you do it again? Yes, if they cool the dressing rooms down a bit. I liked that gig a lot. Paul Francis was not in the band you saw. I only used Paul in England. I'm not sure if he was in 'Tranquility'.

Steve H: It's bigger, cheaper - and it's not so stupid.

Peter M.: 'Kris Needs - good bloke or tosser?' He's always been nice to me.

Phill Moore: Isn't she lovely.

James Boyd: 'Has Elvis Costello ever confessed to being a MTH fan? This morning I had the computer set to random and 'Sweet Angeline' was followed by 'What's so Funny Bout Peace, Love and Understanding' and blow me, the last 30 seconds sound identical! Love 'Rant' and 'Shrunken Heads.' Love pretty much everything!'

Michael Bomberger: 'When can we expect the next record?' Next spring.

Cina Jean Louis: We don't do that.

Carola: Hey! Glad all is well. I didn't get any messages. I knew Jesper Heed wanted it, but I'm too busy with the new record. Hey, Kim! I'll tell Trudi. Suzi and Lisa were just up.

Patrick Bernard: Hull got promoted! Hull got promoted! I know - amazing, isn't it. What a boost for the town. Hope they can hang in.

Mike Boyle: 'Just been to a Jesse Malin gig in London - everybody said they picked up on him after seeing him on your tour. Does this give you satisfaction?' Sure, why not?

Mark Armstrong: Nice one, Mark.

Pat: ' 'Old Records Never Die' - about Lennon, right?' Actually it wasn't, although it coincided. 'A co-worker who never heard of you watched you on Craig Ferguson and then I showed him a video of 'Memphis' circa 1973. He says you looked the same. That's an impartial opinion, Ian!!' I don't care what it is - I'll take it.

John Stieferman says I don't get enough credit - but I probably do. Thanks, anyway!

Kevin Hillier: 'Do you intend to write your autobiography? If you have, where can I get it - if you haven't - hurry up!!' I think I catch the drift!

Ashli Gerschutz: 'At what age is it ok to put a bit in a young horse's mouth?' I'd prefer you didn't.

Stano: 'Do you think you'll ever come back to live in Britain with our cost of living so horrifically high?' Well, you have to factor it in, but I'm not exactly an arena act - we'll see. 'What were the thoughts behind 'Apathy for the Devil'?' I can't remember exactly, but I will tell you the title came out of Dylan's mouth.

Jim Boon: Well, obviously age comes into play at some point. I'm already fed up with the traveling crap you have to go through, but I don't think that's really age related. Traveling has gotten a lot worse. Look at Heathrow! And roads are permanently clogged. The voice is as good - if not better than it ever was and I'm fine physically so far. It's logic, really. I'll stop when I feel like it. Songs are still coming. You have to do and respect what you're for.

Pat: 'How does it feel to know Dylan played 'Memphis' on his radio show? Better than Ringo on your answering machine?' Well, for a start I didn't know Dylan played 'Memphis' so thanks for telling me. They're both buzzes!

Andy Martin: 'Stars and their Rolls Royces. Why did they have to have them in the '70's?' I guess us lower class chaps always secretly envied the upper classes and the toys that big money bought. Rather like the Rappers now. They go out and buy - because they can. Pete's was actually a Bentley, if I remember correctly. I had a Jaguar XJ6. Heady days!! P.S. A Roller was (and probably still is) an amazing piece of machinery - so there's another reason. How did we do it even if we were supposedly skint? Second hand, dear boy, second hand.

Martin Quigley: 'Went to Bristol - took some mates to educate them (they are now converted). When you played 'Picasso' the tears were real. My mates commented on this and we all agreed that music which moves you is what it's all about.' (You got it.) 'When are you touring the UK?' We're looking at the spring of 2009.

Phil: 'Happy Returns.' Ta.

Jeff Williams: 'South Korea, silly (Oh, alright.) They don't allow R+R in the North. Loved the last two records. When is the new one arriving?' Next spring (so far!).

Andrew Field: 'H.B. Intrigued, I read you and Ronno stayed at the Mayflower for six months. Why? (We were recording 'Schizophrenic' and right after, Ellen Foley's 'Nightout'.) The families were in and out and so were we. 'Why wasn't a second single taken off the 'Dudes' album?' I don't know - maybe there wasn't one. 'Why the delay between the 'Dudes' single release and 'Honoloochie Boogie'?' That's how long it took to write and record MTH. 'Have you and Joe Elliott ever recorded in the studio apart from Ronno's last album? And if you have - can we hear it?' I remember we went in one night after a gig, but we were all knackered and nothing came of it.

Jim McConnell: 'Andy York featured on the next album?' We'll be co-producing as we did on the last two. 'Any special guests?' It's too early to say; we'll see when we hear what we've got.

Liz Krinsky: 'Listening since '75. I lived in a small town outside St. Louis and I was alone in my adoration of MTH and your solo work. Loved 'AAAB' and 'Schizo'; married - moved to Cleveland and it was so nice to be in a place that thought you were cool too.' Liz then says some lovely things (which I'm too embarrassed to put in) and finishes up with HB.

Masako: 'I saw you in Oxford, Southampton and Brighton last year. Brilliant is the word I learnt at your gigs. A man standing next to me kindly showed me the meaning. He pointed to you and used the word several times for me (my English is poor) to get it. Without saying your gigs were fantastic! Can hardly wait for the next time.' Well, that's nice. Thank you.

Daniel Halferty: Thanks.

Valery Shampoo: I have a vintage store in a kind of Argentinian Kensington Market. I have a large collection of retro glasses - I'd like to give you some. I'm busy on a MTH project; as I couldn't find any good translations of the lyrics of your songs I'm trying to translate myself. It is hard because some things are specifically related to your culture - what's a boogaloo dude?' I've no idea. It just sounded good at the time and fitted the tune. Boogaloo - you could say - is related to dancing - offshoot of boogie-woogie - Winifred Atwell and all that. Hope this helps.

Tricia Devine: 'Still remember you saying to Laurie Woolsoncroft that you know you're a Gemini Sun - but Gemini moon goes better in the song. Many happies.'

Terry: Hey, if that's you - thanks and be well.

Constance: Actually, we went out with Andy and Liz York to see Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Magnificent show. Robert, Alison, T -Bone and the band are truly gifted. See it - it's a must!

Bart: Thanks.

Nigel Allen: 'It seems in vogue over the past few years that artists/bands do special one off gigs and play a whole album in its entirety as was recorded. Would you consider doing this?' It doesn't really come to the top of the list of priorities.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...