Sun's Out!

Phil Judge: 'Got tickets for Ringo - any chance you'll special guest?' Nope.

Mitch Mitchell: 'Are the Winery dates on the up and up?' Yup.

Jim Socha: 'Mid West - Chicago - Wisconsin - Ohio?' There will be two Chicago dates at the back end of September and we'll try and put in Milwaukee as well. These will be semi-acoustic - just four of us instead of the usual six piece. All the other dates in September will be with the full band as far as I know. Keep an eye on the gig guide.

Steve: 'Come to Montreal - did you ever tour with Slade?' We did the odd date with them, but not a tour.

Andrew Field: Lytham to Blackpool. Fun?

Matt Parrish: 'When Ballad of MTH' documentary is finally released for public consumption, would you ever consider a release party for some of the fans?' Well, I don't live in the UK, but if they did have a do, I'd have to think about it.

David Edgar Alan Doeing: Noted.

Steve K.: Best of luck to them.

Liz: No, never skated as a kid. Couldn't afford them (true!). The video was good fun to make; the Captain was very cool. All the best with the old career and you are spot on politically.

Jeffrey: I don't think Tracie even thinks in those terms. She likes it as she is.

Michael J. DeMola: 'What do you mean,' horrible day'? The members have horrible days - one of our comforting vices is an Ian Hunter show.' Iv'e forgotten what this was about - but I can't watch my own show - and if I did, I wouldn't be at all comfortable. I'd probably cringe my way through it!

Matt Parish: Keep smilin'!

Arthur Temlett: Hope you enjoyed Hoboken. Boy, you get around!

Jan Nicholas: 'When will you do LA and San Francisco again?' Dunno - but we will. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Kevin speaks highly of Joe Elliott and his commitment to me and MTH. Going to see him in Nottingham with PR.

Joejo: 'Like 'Shallow Crystals' - cool to hear it live. Who's the song about? See you in Hoboken and in September (all four nights).' I truthfully can't remember - it's been a while since I wrote that one.

Marius H. Johannessen wants me to describe Steve Holley. Big hearted - loves to chat - brilliant drummer - loyal friend- great harmony singer and slightly mad (but then again - aren't we all).

Sweeney: 'Any chance of dates following Hoboken? Philly?' I think we're doing a couple of dates in the Philly area in September.

Carla Rawson: 'How did you meet Andy York - how did you decide to work together - and what happens if John Mellencamp want to record or tour at the same time you do?'

I met Andy at a Bruce Hendersen benefit at the Bowery Ballroom in 1999 (I think). Steve Holley asked me to come down. There were a bunch of people playing, but Andy struck me immediately. He knew his stuff - he was ready to go. Andy never does things in half measures - he's always totally committed. It took us a year to get together, but it was worth the wait. He's been with Mellencamp forever - he's John's guitarist - so James Mastro came up with M.C. Bosch and Mark has filled in admirably over the years. M.C. is now my guitarist and Andy's my co-producer. He also sits in when he's around. Andy and I live near each other so hang out when he and Liz are home.

Stan Murray: I talk to Min and Maggie once in a while. Susie and Lisa were up last weekend.

Donald Sherlock: 'Long Island!!' I don't know what's going on over there. If something comes in and it's right - I'll do it. Maybe they are worried because I'll be doing the New York dates and that it's too close. We'll see.

Jalopy: So - you got 'Life After Death' - one out of ten ain't bad!

Tommy Holt: 'When are you coming to Nashville (not that anyone would want to)? Love to see you again.' Didn't get an offer.

John: 'I've never heard you play 'Sons 'n' Lovers' - why? P.S. I love 'Flowers.' I did a UK acoustic tour with James and Steve around '07 and we did 'Sons 'n' Lovers'.

Nigel: 'Thanks - that's all I've got to say!!' Thanks.

Bob Barnes: Hi Bob - we'll have a look at it - thanks.

Gene: 'Did Ronson ever tell you about the ghost Angie saw at Haddon Hall?' Mick never talked about stuff like that. I was at Haddon Hall a few times - I can see that - especially with Angie.

Annette Geremia: Hope you enjoyed it.

Tripp: Haven't heard it. That boy gets around!

Tony P: You try and change the set list - especially on a tour where it gets boring doing the same thing all the time. The Runt Band and the Rant Band can pretty much go with it as we have ten years behind us.

Steve: 'Thrilled about Hoboken. Might 'Alice' be appropriate for the venue?' Members of the band were working all round the Hoboken gig so there wasn't time to put anything 'new ' into the set. September we'll make a few changes.

Alan Keinch: 'Thought you and the Mott boys were coming to Aylesbury for Friars 42nd birthday party in May - but it's Hawkwind! Never mind - take care.' Try us when it's 50.

Michael Rubinstein: Watch the gig guide on this site.

David Newton: 'Fantastic to see online store back in business.' Just purchased a t-shirt - can't wait to get it.' Good - oh.

Alistair's guitar plain' in open G continues to improve. He's got 'Once Bitten' down plus 'Rip Off'. Check around for minors in open - they sound beautiful - then you've got 'Death of a Nation'. Alistair says the set list question could be solved in Glasgow - if I played 30 nights.

Justin August: 'What's your favourite MTH album? 'Mott' 'What's your favourite solo album?' A few of 'em. Radio put me off music years ago.

John Frawley: 'How long was the '77 Overnight Angels tour?' No idea. 'How did the band sound live?' I've no idea - anybody? 'Rod Stewart should have recorded 'To Love A Woman'.' I always thought that.

Paul Terry: 'You've been signing for decade yet your voice seems to get stronger and - I might add - more soulful. Have you taken voice lessons? Also - loved the Galaxy.' I stopped smoking (well, five a week). One of the reasons it's been a long way back is a lot of people didn't like my chops way back when and probably think I'm worse now. I use to perform with a permanently sore throat from screaming down crap PA's and trying to be heard above the band. Monitors were always a problem in the old days (much better now). It seems to have matured well. I still get hoarse now and again on lengthy tours, but I've learned how to hold back a bit and we play a semi tone down these days. Semi tones down feels just right. No longer screaming away there. Wouldn't be a good idea anyway - might keel over!

Bruce: 'What did 'Are you Alright to drive' and 'Anything About' mean on MTH set list at Hammersmith?' There was no shortage of humour on that run. Sounds like Sid (Mick's tech) messing about. Ask Mick Ralphs.

Seth Purvin: 'Is the Royal Wedding a waste of money - or one of the niceties of being British in such a complicated world?' I think both sides get mad because of the media. It's cheap newspaper filler and it's a spectacle and there's not too much travel involved. I didn't see it, but I saw photographs - I've never seen women dressed so ridiculously. More make up than Donald Trump and those hats!!! What were Sarah's kids thinking? All that was missing was Cinderella. Hey - it's up to each and every individual. Whatever.

Mick McKenzie: 'Great to see Joe flying the MTH (and all things related) flag at Holmfirth. Longer set than the support slot and very good. World's finest tribute band covering the world's best ever band.'

Michael Walsh thinks 'Welcome to the Club' the greatest live album ever produced.'

Mike Constanzo: 'In Rolling Stone, Ray Davies mentions he wrote 'You Really Got Me' on piano. (Never knew that.) Do you write more on piano or guitar - or do you grab whatever is near by? And does what's written on piano - stay piano? It's about 50/50 for me (although all the MTH hits were written on piano). I'm a firm believer in picking up any instrument that's NOT yours. It can be at a friend's or in a shop; every instrument has a song in it .I know that sounds weird, but it's true. I should get out more, what's written on piano doesn't necessarily have to stay there. Very often a song gets put through the band sieve and then a studio sieve and they can change. Some do - some don't.

Greg Watson: 'Just moved to Phoenix - any chance?' There's always a chance.

Steve Morris: 'Were you on the David Frost show in 72/73 defending the way rock stars dressed?' I think that was Jagger.

Dave Griffiths MBE: Martin learned how to play under Buff, so Martin 'knew' what Buff would do instinctively. He was (and is) - the perfect choice.

Dorren: 'MTH in NYC' I haven't the faintest.

Tom Hofer: We don't do that on this site, but hey - Tom Hofers brother - Happy 50th!!

Bill Milks: 'If Joe Walsh, Keith Moon, Zal Cleminson and Ian McGlagan had invited you to form a band - would you?' All depends on what I was doing at the time. I love Joe's playing and Ian's keyboards. 'Did you have 'Once Bitten' in your head before you left MTH?' I wrote 'Once Bitten' while we were doing 'Ian Hunter' so - no.

Matt P is excited about the Winery gigs in September.

Julian Richards: I'm writing so I guess it's my own.

Lynne: You just keep her under control!!

Mike: Nike air.

Bucks Burnett: No, it isn't.

Mark Snider: 'Are you aware that there is a hit song on the radio in the U.S. that steals your hook from 'Cleveland Rocks'? The artist is Foster the People and the song is 'Pumped Up Kicks'! When I first heard it I thought it was a sample - but no - it's an old fashioned blatant rip off.' Thanks, Mark - we'll look into it.

Peter Jordan: Makes me shudder that stuff. There's not much tolerance for injustice in our family. I get it from my Dad. Of course, there's always a tad of hypocrisy involved, but we live in an imperfect world.

Will Person: Say hello to Ian for me - the genuine article.

Richie Cornacchio: No, I did not get up early to see the wedding. Early rising is only for Manchester U. + Arsenal.

Barat: 'Were you invited?' Now I've got a smile on my face!

Mark F: I'll be in Milwaukee in late September. Make the bed up.

Jeff: R.I. P. Michael Picasso

William Seyl: The Hall of Fame has a different 'H'.

Mike: Will I ever do Mott shows? Who knows.

Mark Hall: 'The Live Apollo reunion CD is my favourite MTH recording. Nothing short of inspired.' When is the documentary coming out?' I am hearing the summer.

Barry Carberry: It's OK with me.

John McMillan: 'Just a comment on the Bin Laden business - if any of you believe all the military forces will come home from Iraq and Afghanistan, you're sadly mistaken - it's all turned to corporate profit. I'm proud of the victories achieved by U.S., British and other NATO forces. Wish them God's speed in getting home.'

Joejo: 'What a great day May 1. Got drunk, watched Ian and the Rant band in Hoboken then got home to find Osama Bin Laden shot. You guys fantastic, great set list. See you in September.' I had a great time - hung out with Scott and Peter from the Baseball Project and the band, Tony Shanahan (who took me down to his great studio), Tony from the Buzzcocks and then home to see the Bin Laden craziness. That was not easy - congratulations to all involved.

Rob: 'Your guitar player's arrogant on stage - what a turn off. It's like he's trying too hard to be cool. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but it doesn't work. The only time he smiled was when somebody took his picture.' Old habits die hard.

Pommie: 'When will you do your thing down under/OZ still awaits you and the lads or are you still a lounge lizard?' Didn't see a decent offer on the table.

Alright - I'm off. People to go places to - whatever - back to the basement.

IH
The Horse's Mouth