So Mr. David Crisfield, get yourself sorted and get back here!

What a winter!

Mike Costanzo asks about my factory experiences. I remember working at Brown Brothers in Northampton and the police came and arrested the guy next to me. He'd been flashing in the park at 6 AM. I thought, there's more to life than this.

Scott McCrumb thinks up a crappy title for the next record!

Ed: 'It seems 'supergroup' projects have been popular. Have you ever been approached?' Yes, I have actually, but they're usually pretty silly as everybody has a different idea on what to do. Has more to do with money than music. Never ceases to amaze me what some people consider 'super'.

Phil Ash saw 3 MTH gigs and enjoyed them. 'Any chance of the Isle of Wight?' You've got to be asked!

Brent Coursey: Perhaps if you had listened more; you'd have divorced less (maybe!).

Ian Hollinghurst: 'Come to Preston.' Not on the list this time, sorry.

Liz K: We were living in the Mayflower Hotel right on Central Park but I don't remember running in it. I've had no problems with the Mini; it's a tough little car - but I'm not a mechanic either. I'd have thought 12 nearer the price.

Nog 53: Thank you.

Geordie Graves: Probably a Fender Tele. Newcastle is in for October. First one, I think.

Mikael Bostrom: Hi Tomas! Your birthday was on January 12, so this is belated, but Happy 50th and many more.

Jeff: Say Happy Birthday to your Mom for me.

Jordan Fletcher: Jordan is an arborist and has offered to look after my tress for me. How nice of you! Thanks!

Stephen brings our attention to a story in the New York Post (January 8th 2012. 'A Virginia family is desperately looking for their son who went missing in the City while on holiday. His name is Ian Hunter Burnet (22) an engineering student at Virginia Commonwealth University - and had been staying with friends at West 139th Street and Riverside Drive when he disappeared. Anybody with any information should call the 30th precinct Detective Squad at 212-690-8842.' Here's hoping.

Lynne: There are a couple of things that came in for March which you can see on the News Page. The Winery was keen for March dates but I thought it a bit too soon.

Jack Galaydick: Mick Ralphs did the main vocal and I did a bit in the middle.

Jim Canada: What do you think of the video clips of your shows?' I don't give it much thought. I never watch my own stuff.

J. Scot Strawn: I didn't know I had a Face Book page!!

Alan Grier: 'Glasgow this year?' Yup - the ABC in October.

Matt Parish: It's true! 'If President Obama called and asked you for a license to use 'Mitt the Hoople' in an upcoming political ad for reelection - what would you say?' For Obama - yes.

Yucca Flats: 'Romney uses the phrase 'Soul of America' for his campaign theme - wonder where he got the idea?' He has no ideas.

Deb + Rich: 'Come to CT casinos!' We'll see; we'll see.

Alex Burton: 'Did John Fiddler have naturally curly hair or did they make him do it?' I've seen John over the years and his hair was always curly.

Steve K says I got a name heck in the Guardian. Good.

Nick Allsopp on the subject of 'Nutters'. 'Have they been a problem over the years?' I don't think MTH or me 'n' the Ranters attract that kind of audience. I've seen it crazy, but in a positive way. We've had a few - that's show biz!

Patrick Hanson: 'I actually want you to overproduce the new record! Your best one is Moitt - Girls - String - saxes, the lot. OA and Schitzo - more is best.' Oh, alright then.

Mark F: 'Any title in mind for the new release?' 3 actually.

Peter Jordan: 'Is this one good?' Well, I wouldn't be spending all this money on it if I thought it was crap - would I?

Peter Jordan II - both!

Pat: No chance of that in the foreseeable future.

Jeff Risdon: Turn up next time I'm over.

Mathew Hughes: 'Is there any such thing as 'under' or 'over' rated? And if so, which musicians do you find either 'under' or 'over'.' I think 'over' and 'under' rated is used mainly by the press. There are certainly people out there who are pretty poor but they touch the lowest common denominator (a talent in itself). This can confuse the average 'fan' who goes by 'hits' or 'misses'! The business itself is a huge racket and unless you play the game you disappear. It's all out there - good and bad; I guess it's in the ear of the beholder. One thing I can't stand is people who 'like' something because their friends like it or they want to be 'cool'. That, to me is plain stupid. Herd mentality. Reality music? Duh!!!! I don't care how much Simon Cowell makes - to me he's a music murderer - but that's just my opinion.

Daniel Costa: Thank you

Sarah/London: We'll be there.

Verne from Ohio is looking forward to the next album.

Neil McCormack: 'Did you ever work with Alex Harvey or Ian Dury?' I guess you mean did I ever sit down with them and write. No, I didn't - all three of us were extremely busy way back when. SAHB did open for MTH on one tour. I knew Alex quite well - he introduced me to his Mum and his brother at the Apollo. Ian Dury and I only said hello in passing.

Brian Maloney: 'OK how do we get the DVD of Rockpalasst with you and Mick?' Dunno - I'll ask the wife; she says try Amazon.

Alan in Kent, WA: We never talked band stuff. There was too much going on.

Ronald Capko - with a list of Jersey shore gigs to play!

Kevin: You will see us in October.

Phil Huband: We were on Atlantic for a while and I met Ahmet Ertegan and Jerry Wexler - but only briefly. 'When you first came to America was it how you thought it would be?' Well, Times Square wasn't a square. Marin County was a bit of a downer, but apart from that. Jeez - the Manhattan skyline - that first time coming in from JFK - scared me to death!

Richie Cornacchio: 'How do you present new material to the Rant Band?' First I play it on piano or guitar - one on one with Andy York. If he thinks we're ready to go - we start leaking the songs to the band. Sometimes they come up at different times. Maybe the rhythm section one day - guitars the next - keys after that. We don't 'demo' songs. We learn them until we feel we're ready and then we go in and record. Don't over think and don't over rehearse. If they need guidelines either Andy or me can wade in. They're all consummate musician and I trust them completely.

Scott W.: 'I think your voice is well suited to the blues.' Maybe now it's getting' older and rapier - but I never was a blues singer. I came from Rock 'n' Roll and that's good enough for me.

Lammert Kloosterman: Noted.

Chris: 'Remember Canada?' When Frank Riley tells me I'm going to Canada - I'll be there.

Marty G: 'Tarrytown show was great despite db limitations. Randers sounded subdued.' Wasn't aware of the db limits until I got there. Annoying - but under what can you do.

Alan: 'What do you think of Elvis Costello?' He's very good.

Michael Ohara: New album has to be mixed and has to find a good home.

Tim Livingston: 'Your favourite Ronson guitar track?' Everything.

Jeffrey: Snow? What's that?

Matt Nojonen: Boy you're happy!! Nice one!

Chris Dewees: I still 'fall by the wayside' now and again.

Deb Raeck: I'm so sorry, Deb. That's all I can say. Condolences to all.

Jz Shakeytown: C'mon - play it! (Miss Silver Dime)

Greg March: 'Any chance of an Australian tour?' Haven't seen any offers.

Gerard York: 'Any plans for 40th Anniversary of 'ATYD'? Nah.

Kenny Mac: Rephrase - I'm a bit in the dark here.

John Dalton: It all depends on how and why you play music. What is your motivation? To me, playing and writing and music (and not having to work!) is a great privilege at this stage of my life. When I started it wasn't easy either. I signed publishing deals that were disgusting - most of us did. Couldn't afford a lawyer. Record deals were pretty stupid too if there wasn't a queue. Some gigs (as today) you had to pay to play. However, if you're crazy enough about music - you find a way. Right now it's the Wild West out there. Constant changes taking place and ever evolving. You just keep going - you just keep at it if you're driven and the desire is there. There's no logic - either you dive in or you don't - the odds are slightly better than winning the lottery! You cannot apply any kind of common sense to it. If it's in you to do it - you do it. I've got no answer for you - it's an individual thing. Would I advise anybody to pursue a career in music - no, but that's just the common sense talking!

Bobby Smith: 'Flowers' - one of my favourite songs of all time. Any UK shows this year?' Yup - watch this site.

Alan Shiell: Everything's fine. It'll just take a while to place it.

Rob Wechsler loves AAAB. Now it's good.

Steve Baratta: 1) Obviously, you shouldn't. 2) Steve says that on January 31st it was Liz Krinsky's birthday. Happy (belated) Birthday Liz!

Ralph: LA is on the cards for 2012. Just too early to know when.

George Saadi: Cheers.

Steve L: 'Was at Tarrytown - thank you for 'Alice'.'

William in RR: 'Silver Needles' was about Sid. Can't remember when I wrote it, but it would have been much later than '73.

Joejo: Didn't name the new one yet. Nearly!

Steve Reece: There were two great athletes in my year at the Priory - one was Bob Mayall (who's desk was full of chocolate, fags, etc) and the other was Steve Reece (your Dad). I remember going down to the Gay Meadow - a few of us - to see him play for Shrewsbury Town reserves. He would have been 15 or 16 at the time. I didn't know about Halifax or Port Vale nor did I know he played cricket for Shropshire. Thanks for the info!! This is going back a ways, perhaps he was Tony - but I remember him as Steve!

Paul Rivers: 'Do the Roundhouse!' It's not up to me.

Roland: I don't know who 'Joe' is, but I certainly hung out down the B.L.

John Mello: Glad to hear you're prospering!

Geoff Olson: 'The Pram in the Hall' bit couldn't be truer. If there's been any kind of 'renaissance' it's because I forgot myself and then remembered myself when M.R. passed. The 'Uncontrollable Light' line refers to that extremely rare occasion in which you nail it dead on. You're lucky if you get that once in a lifetime. I've felt it maybe a half dozen times.

Michele Lynn: 'As I get older I listen less to new music and more to the music of my youth. Nothing new grabs me. How about you?' I feel the same way - but every generation has its own music and feels it's the best ever. Who knows, but you could be right!

Glen: Will you sign autographs at the Bell House? Dunno.

Tony Jay: 'Play 'Foxy, Foxy'.' Hunter's folly. MTH take no blame for this; it was all my fault!

Neil: 'Which song gave you the most satisfaction?' Ask me in a few years.

Sarah Wilkes loves 'Saturday Gigs. Sit down girl!

Bernie Agnew: 'Where can I buy an original signed poster of IH or MTH for my 60 year old life fan friend?' We'll be selling them on the road next October.

That's it for now. Didn't do them all so apologies but I couldn't think of a comment or answer. Try again!

Going in the later this month to finish off the new CD. Should be done by the next HM.

Til then.

IH
The Horse's Mouth