Just revving up here so I thought we'd get this done and dusted.

Trippp: 'In your mind was Elvis the greatest?' He was the greatest white guy - he was the greatest singer - but what with the lack of song writing and those bloody awful movies he did - I'd put him behind Chuck Berry and Little Richard and even my favourite - Jerry Lee Lewis. I never saw him live - I've often been told he was incredible. He had the look; boy, did he have the look. Definitely the girls all time favourite! 'The Girl Can't Help it' was a terrific movie.

Mark F: True for me. Most genuine writers tend to live 'inside' rather than 'outside'. We exist on imagination, stunted or otherwise.

Dave: M.C. Bosch, Paul Page, James Mastro, Andy Burton and the mighty Steve Holley.

Turn it up: Re: Ronno mixing his own guitars. There is a tendency with guitarists to favor the last track they've put down. Mick was extremely clever at this and you're hearing exactly what he wants you to hear.

Martin: 'Did you see 'I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band'?' Nope. I'm happy with my guys.

Kevin Lunt: No plans for MTH.

Lily Sherratt: You should be able to find it somewhere on line. Google it up.

Rig G: 'Add 'Angel of Eighth Avenue' to California list.' The problem with California is getting a gig in LA!

John H.: I'd like to, but right now I don't know.

Gary Sawruk: 'Looking forward to the Highline - wouldn't it be great if Mick or Verden showed up?' A lot of it's geography - people show up if you're in the area. Mick and Phally live in England and Wales so it's doubtful!

Sara Novelli says you have great venues in the Bay State. Ain't heard from any of them.

Joe: 'Cleveland?' We can do Cleveland but we need other dates with it so I can pay the band, the hotels, the airfares the crew etc. - and get out alive!

David Bowns wants 'You nearly Did Me In' and 'Picasso' at Scarborough. I know we won't be doing the first one, but we might do the second.

Ian/Chris Docherty: 'Like A Rolling Stone;' 'idiot Wind' 'Somewhere' 'Try a Little Tenderness' and 'Addicted to Love' (off the top of my head). Don't know about 'The Other Man' as of yet.

Denise: Malamaritima (?) in Northern Italy: 'The Bat Caverna'. The owner dressed up as Batman and had a Batmobile - ridiculous, but daft. We died a death - me in particular - all they wanted was Stan.

Rich Michi is one of the 'don't do 'Somewhere'' horde!

Jeffrey: This weather's fine. Hated the summer, but this is fantastic.

Tony Day: I think you're referring to the John Varvatos 10th Anniversary celebration and benefit. I just did it; chaotic, but fun. John's a huge vinyl fan. It was at the old CBGB's (which is now a JV shop). He converts it back to CB's every once in a while. Lovely chap.

Jim McConnell: It doesn't really fit at the moment.

Alistair Ramage: Neither do these!

Geoff: I wasn't at Rockfield two weeks ago.

Jeff Scott: 'Any idea when you'll revisit the studio?' Not for a long while.

Roddy McLean: If you find Mastro remind him to remind me.

Karen: 'What songs are you playing in Danville?' Well if we told you that - it wouldn't be a surprise.

Note 1. Why, oh why do people post the set list on this site as soon as they've seen us? Doesn't it take all the fun out of seeing/hearing it for yourselves - not knowing what is coming next? It definitely complicates matters for me. I'm doing Danbury this weekend and we'd have liked to try out the British sets - but if I did - then they would be exposed before we even start the UK tour. So now I'm working on a Danbury set - a Rock set and acoustic set. No wonder I forget words now and then!

David Yohn is very fond of the 'Old Records Never Die Anthology' and 'Man Overboard'.

Roy Skinner: Nothing came in for South Wales. How about Bristol?

Ian Moulson: You are correct on the seduction bit, although it was Ralpher who was probably instigating it! Enjoy B'rum!

Michael Myers: Don't do that, sorry. Actually, I just got introduced to Mike Myers by Alice Cooper at the Varvatos gig. Must be the other one!

Keith Davies wants 'Picasso' in Manchester.

Lee Erickson: Yes.

Oor Wullie' Actually, I'm saving that for my last album. So you'll no get it yet.

Todd: Bob Ezrin rang me up and said I was the only one they'd let write lyrics for them - so I did. I remember doing it because it came so quickly- did it all in one afternoon.

Rick Graves: Piling up the gigs there!

Joejo: 'Hey Ian - nice to hear you sing about the covered wagon period in American History (River of Tears). Only problem is, kids today think covered wagons are '73 Fords with wood grained sides that their father's threw tarps over in the driveway.' I was never too keen on the woodgrain - kinda basementy.

Laurent: I used two at Hammersmith. One was Mick's - I don't know how old it was, and I brought one of mine from home - early seventies.

Mick McKenzie: Manchester will be his 50th ' 'Unta' gig. Congratulations - and thank you for coming, Mick.

Mike Spagna: Any more shows with David Jo in the NY area? None at the moment, but I'm looking forward to seeing him. David and I go back a loooong way.

Ed: 'Just watched 'Strings' (thanks, Netflix) 0 Do you see any cash from rentals?' I've no idea - that's the wife's department. 'Really enjoyed 'Boy' - did you write that to yourself or other members of MTH?' Neither.

William Kennedy: I know both John and Paul, but just to say hello.

Tom Lamoreaux: Nice to hear from you, Tom. I've no idea. I go where I'm needed!! Actually, I've had a little look at 'Overnight Angels' lately - I guess because of Joe Elliott. There's a couple of songs on there I quite like.

Ritchie: You've got it. Any problem ask for Mick B. 'P.J. Proby playing Worthing while you're in Scarborough.' OK, attention Scarborough - we are all going to Worthing. No days off in this world.

Billy McCue: The trouble with Obama is that he's decent. Drives them nuts!!! Not many people remember decency. Give 'em Glenn Beck and Sarah any day.

Janet asks if I've ever thought of publishing a book of my lyrics (no I haven't) 'It's one thing to read the lyrics on line or on liner notes, but I think put together in a publication - they would be impressive. Just a thought from someone who runs a bookstore.'

Paul Doucette: It's not coming up, but thank you for whatever it is!

John Bird: Shouldn't be a problem.

Peter Brozek: We're trying for late January/early February - but as you've read elsewhere in this HM - it all hinges on an LA date.

Mark: 'Soothand?' Where is Sootland? If you mean Scotland - I'm doing, Glasgow, in a few weeks.

Michael B: 'Kohls in Toledo, Ohio played 'Arms 'n' Legs' over their store system.'

Steve Parsons: If 'Violence' was gonna be done again, it would have been on one of the Hammersmith gigs. I'm not keen on twiddly guitar bits myself.

Richie Cornacchio: 'Would you consider doing a string of solo shows in a set venue - such as a small theater with just you - piano and guitar? Sort of Storyteller type gig - the audience would make requests and ask questions. I think with your songs and experiences it would be fab.' I've been asked if I would do this and I've never felt comfortable enough about it. It's not that I can't do it. I can - I do it before the band turn up for rehearsals on every tour. One thing - you can hear yourself!! It's just that touring is boring and I like to travel with other musicians - it makes it more fun.

Kris Peters: A hoople is a tramp - a hobo.

Bill McCue: 'I noticed in one of the videos of the MTH reunion that you are playing bass on 'Born Late '58'.' Yes, Pete really wanted to play guitar on '58 so I went on bass. He had a great sound on it. Easy to play. Bloody awful colour.

Chris Kelly: Noted - with thanks.

Geoff Bryant: Geoff says Shannon McNally is a great singer-songwriter and thinks she would be a good opening act for me. It's difficult - so many great unsigned people around. The Mean Fiddler is sorting out my opening slots this time around. Wish her the best.

Liz M: 'Can you play 'Women's Intuition' at Danbury? My boyfriend (Pat Murphy) is a HUGE fan. Can't believe you're playing in our backyard.' Liz - I've got a big catalog out there and I can only do 18-20 per night - so you see the problem I have.

Terence Buggie: 'Why has diary not been reissued?' As far as I know it's been reissued several times. It's just been translated into French. The publisher is Independent Music Press: http://www.impbooks.com 'David Quantick cited 'Diary' as the best autobiography on BBC 5 today.' BTW - we'll try to get IMP's 'Diary' for the upcoming UK shows.

Charlene Falco: Rediscovering. 'Thanks for not charging $50 to access the best parts of your web site and thanks for not being too merch oriented.'

Kevin Etches: Fantastic album - love 'Flowers' any chance of the chords? Put a capo on the second fret - it's in G - first chord E minor.

John: 'Set list at the Barbican was a good as it gets. Plenty of 'MO' and 'SH' in October, please. Don't dream of dropping Swan Hill.' Oh, dear.

Beth Khoury: 'What's the story behind the wonderful John Varvatos ad?' Don't know. It's his 10th Anniversary and he wanted to celebrate. I know he knows and likes everybody in the ad. It's going to be up on Hollywood Boulevard and on NY transit.

Rob Horan: I go in Tuesdays. Maybe I'll see you at the gig. Enjoy.

Brendan Chesterton: 'Any chance of a diary follow up?' I do think about it - it's just a question of picking up a pen and doing it. 'I stood next to my other hero, Mick Jones, in the audience t Hammersmith. Stood together singing, 'Hymn for the Dudes.' Did he come back stage and say hello?' Yup. It's always good to see Mick. He's the tree; he doesn't run round it.

Seth Purvin: 'Jerkin Crocus' the meaning of life - or something?' Pete convolutes names - I think this originally was named after a Hereford tramp. The rest escapes me. 'Do you collect guitars and do you believe they are for playing and not looking at?' The trouble is - they gain in value and people don't trust the airlines with them. Stuff can go missing. We live in an increasingly ugly world. You see it with any kind of relic. The art world is a nightmare. 'You go into a club and Muddy Waters - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Buddy Holly are sitting there. Who do you play with?' Buddy Holly.

Jesper/Sweden: Can't help you there. I know what you mean, but you'd have to get someone to enlarge a cd cover for you. John McMillen: I do the record first and license to whomever I think will do the best job. 'SH' was handled well by Yep Roc. I feel let down by New West who put out 'MO'.

Rene Christensen: No idea - try googling.

Mark F: 'Ever met or worked with Bryan Ferry?' Know all the Roxy's - lovely chaps.

Jerry Controis: 'What was your inspiration for writing 'Ships'?' My Father.

Phil: It's a crap shoot. Hope it works out.

Jim: Thank You.

Wayne/Vancouver: 'Did MTH play Canada?' Don't think so. 'Was naming one record 'Mott' and the next 'The Hoople' a preconceived idea?' I think we knew we wouldn't last forever.

Jalopy: Nah

Peter Jordan: 'Would you say your writing reflects a more contented outlook now?' I'm not easy to live with, but I'm better than I was. 'Have you ever written something that bothered you and what did you do about it?' Good question. It doesn't see the light of day, if I'm uncomfortable sharing it. 'Also, I hear criticism about 'Girl In the Office' but when I listen to it, I think it's compassionate.' Look, I write songs - and I've written a lot of songs. People like this - they don't like that- everybody's different. They tell you you're lovely - they tell you you're crap - it's the nature of the business that I'm in. 'Girl in the Office' is true. It happened; I'm not going to defend the song. I like it; that's all that matters to me.

Fiona - wishing us well in October.

I'm going to be busy for a while now. The next HM will be a little late in arriving. Looking forward to seeing some of you on the road. Hope you enjoy the shows.

IH
The Horse's Mouth