May - cloudy and crappy so far; still - we need it round here.

Nigel Allan: 'Play 'Road to Birmingham' when you play Birmingham.' Not a bad idea.

Tom Crolly (Drove to Brooklyn from Scranton, PA.): 'What a f-----g killer show - how do you do it? I mean given your age and all.' The band and the crowd make it seem easy.

George Miller: 'Great show at the Bell House; band incredible!! Hope Graham's gonna be ok. (he's fine). Hoping to make the trip to Scotland.

Rick Graves: 'Great show Friday night - one of the best I've seen. No specifics, but I hope you and Graham Parker were able to make a sizable donation to Graham Maby.' (All proceeds less some small expenses went to Graham - so he did good.)

Alistair: 'Glasgow - great news. Bought a mandolin recently. Your songs sound good on it. Roll on October.'

Grant Stevens: 'How about Berlin in 2012?' Costs too much.

Thorbjorn: 'Me and my mate met you backstage in Gothenburg in '74. Any chance of your coming back?' Arguing with Live Nation as we speak.

Kevin: 'Saw the Bell House Friday night. I'd forgotten how much fun really good music played really well can be. Thanks again.'

Chris H: 'You really rocked the Bell House and 'Mother' made my wife cry. Great seeing you after 38 years!'

Jack VT says we were on fire in Cleveland (79/80).

Joey Porter: 'How comfortable would you be doing an acoustic guitar and piano in an intimate setting?' Part of touring - a big part of touring - is travelling - hotels - and hanging around. I just like company on the road. I've been offered solo stuff but I prefer a band along for the ride.

Joejoe: 'Killer show at the Bell House. Band tremendous - killer set list. Any more shows before Europe?' There may be some in September; it's being worked on.

Karen: 'Any chance of 'Alice' in the Glasgow set?' Haven't got that far yet, but we've been doing it over here. I'd like the UK to see what we're doing at the moment, but I have the new album to configure as well. We'll see is the correct answer!

Brit Fan: 'Did Willie Nelson record one of your songs?' I had a song called, 'The Other Man' which Sam Lederman (my manager at that time) told me the Everly Brothers were going to cover. Then Willie Nelson's lawyer said Willie was going to cover it. It never came out, so I asked Sam what happened and he said Willie did do it - but it remains unreleased (apparently with a boat load of other sons he's never released). Sam said he did it as a duet - who knows.

Jeffrey says 'Standin' in My Light' (Welcome to the Club) is a near religious experience. Happy (belated) Easter to you too, Jeffrey.

By the way, wasn't Graham Parker great at the Bell House? Hasn't lost a step, and a charming fellow to boot. Pleasure to work with.

Krister: 'Do you make songs for playlists before you come on stage?' No -never did that - MTH used to. It's a good idea - maybe I will!!!

Jeffrey: You'll hear it soon enough. We're shooting for August.

David Grant: I've had offers from Japan, but they want me to do two shows a night and I'm only willing to do one.

Derek Brown: Ask for Mick Brown.

Ian Mack: 'What was your take on late 70's punk music?' I kind of missed it to tell you the truth. I was busy doing my first solo album and the AAAB record. I remember seeing Television and Blondie and the Dead Boys down C.B.G.B's. Remember seeing the Damned in London - going to a 'Clash' session for their first album. Never saw the Pistols though I did meet John Lyndon and we talked our way across the Atlantic. My punk was Gene Vincent.

Mike Channon: 'Nice title - what's your first Job in the Oval Office?' A 28th amendment.

Sam Baird: 'Listening to 'Rick Derringer and Friends' live album where you do a great medley - who played what?' Can't remember the medley, but I think I had Robbie Altar on guitar at that time; brilliant player; very underrated. I think Liz Derringer got me to do that gig - Rick's gear had been stolen.

Dave Pitt: 'Coming to Birmingham - would love to hear 'Trudi's Song' or 'Sons and Daughters' - any chance? Realistically - no.

Russell Bush: 'Doing Nashville in 2012?' Not so far.

Phil Huband: Mastering gives a track more depth and transparency - you usually let the guy go it - that's what they're good at. They can tell you if it's been recorded poorly and where. They can camouflage to a point. Usually, (although not always) you choose the spacing between the tracks.

George Miller: 'Will you warm up in the New York area before going to Europe?' I think we will.

Bart: How nice! Thank you, Bart.

Jim Tuyls: 'Fantastic title for the record! Can't wait for the release. On Easter Sunday I was listening to 'Deep Tracks' on XM and they not only played 'Shrunken Heads' but the DJ said it was the album of the year when it was released. Followed up with 'One of the Boys'. Said great things about you and your music and MTH. Really made my day. Play Milwaukee again, soon.' Well that was good then.

Alan Graham: 'Sorry, Ian, but you can't be President. You have to born in America! Looking forward to the album, anyway.' Well 0 that puts paid to that then!

Geoff: 'You're Never Alone With a Schitzophrenic' is the best title for an album ever - do you find it hard to come up with titles? Usually the title of the CD will be one of the songs on the record - hence - 'When I'm President.' Sometimes titles just emerge during the recording. I kinda liked 'Recreational Skull Diving' for the new one, but it got voted out as did 'Ancient Babies.' 'Schitzo was found by Ronno on a toilet wall in the Power Station.

SB: 'How can I audition for the art for your new album? The minute I heard the title - I got it!' Sorry, SB - artwork is done already.

John Dalton: 'The song 'Theatre of the Absurd' from 'Short Back 'n' Sides' has a distinct reggae flavor that's not been captured on other albums. How did that song come about and are you still influenced by Reggae?' As I said earlier, I was taken to one of the first Clash sessions and they played me some songs and asked me what I thought - not really knowing the band well I said what I thought ' 'Brixton Rock.' This went down rather well so I guess that's where I got the 'Brixton Power' line from. Ronno and I weren't too sure on how to approach reggae so we got Mick Jones in to help out and things progressed from there.

Nick Allsopp: ' 'Coldwater High' is a superb song - great lyric, melody and middle 8 - got the lot - piece of genius (Oh Gawd). Would have made a great single. How come it never made the cut on I.H.? Where is 'Coldwater High'?' There was this song and another one called 'One Fine Day'. The tracks were recorded for I.H. but I couldn't - for the life of me - find lyrics. Fast forward - I don't know how many years - and someone probably Campbell Devine, prevailed upon me to finish them off for a compilation Sony CD. To my surprise, I sat down and wrote both lyrics in about half an hour. 'Coldwater High' is purely fictitious.

John Mahoney: Looking forward to Holmfirth (superb converted cinema). Any chance of 'Britannia', 'Saturday Gigs' or 'Irene Wilde'? Too early to say, but I would think at least one of them.

Huck DeMilo: 'I Wish I Was Your Mother' was recorded at Air 1 in London - just off Oxford Street.

Chris Semal: Loved the Brooklyn show - 'the Moon Upstairs' packs such a wallop! Rant Band in fine form and they sing so well together. I notice not everyone is doing back ups on all songs. It seems like Steve is the main other voice. How do you work this out live? And in the studio? How involved are you in the backups?' Live the two main singers are Steve and AB - Steve being the guy I use more. Steve has a great high voice - clear as a bell. AB is a little thicker but still high. James and Paul (who has just started to sing) do the low stuff and Boschy is also starting to get involved vocally - he's more middle. Steve can basically do anything vocally and often works out the parts for the others. I can do that too if need be. In the studio it's usually Andy or me that works out the harmonies. Most of the BV's on the new one are Andy or me as most of the tight stuff was done after the band left. The whole band did any 'chants' we needed aided by Christine Ohlman and my youngest, Jesse. Thank you for the book - much appreciated.

Richie Cornacchio: 'Do you bounce ideas off Trudi when you write or is it a completely private process?' Pretty much private, but she might say or do something that can affect a song. 'How do you react to a less than favourable critique from her?' I'll run it up and down the flag pole, but basically, I'm stubborn as a mule. It's what I do.

Nathan Moore: 'Shed a little light on 'Dead Man Walking?' Nah! I can't.

Lynne: We'll see what we can do.

Mark F: 'Sad day with the passing of Levon Helm. Did you have any connection with the band?' I loved the Band and I was so sad to hear of Levon's passing . Lovely man, great voice, great drummer - will be missed. Music shone from every pore in his body. Brilliant.

Jeff: Saw you in Milwaukee. Four buddies and I drove five hours to your sold out show. We all scalped tickets. You, Ronno, Briley et al were fantastic. Any chance of 'President' in the Midwest?' We're working on it now.

Scott (U.S.): Any chance of U.S. shows in 2012?' Yes, but later on in the year.

Campin' Patty: It was cute! Well done!

Ian Mack: 'Who do you consider as Great British singer songwriter during your life time other than Lennon/McCartney; Jagger/Richards (and which of those two partnerships would you prefer?' Oh man - these questions are loaded!! First off both the partnerships were incredible in different ways. I don't see how you can compare. There's been so many English songwriters who came up with amazing stuff. Ray Davies, Pete Townsend - but you're always going to miss hundreds. Elton wrote great stuff with his partner. All those people who came up with little strokes of genius. I moved here in '75 so I missed a lot - too big a question, Ian.

Bob N.: 'When will there be info on the new record?' Pretty soon I would hope. I have meetings in New York later today.

Baz: 'Why do you never play 'Rip Off' on tour?' We have.

John D. Mikota: 'Any plans out west?' There's talk of Seattle and Portland the beginning of September. Keep an eye on this site.

Sara Novelli: 'Come back to Massachusetts.' We will.

Oooooer Wullie: Heard you got rained out.

Dave Hancox: If you've ever had an 18 year old son, grandson, nephew, father, uncle, daughter, friend killed in a useless war - you will know the futility of flowers.

Todd Denison: 'Kinda hopin' for a Classic Hunter - show the kids how it's done.' I tried.

John Senker: Have you ever considered a sax player and a couple of female backup singers on the road - it might be a lot of fun.' I also have to consider the airfares, the hotels, the wages, the car rentals. So no - it wouldn't be fun. One step at a time here! It would be nice to have an extra tech or lighting guy first!

Brian Green: 'Picasso' is played around the chord of 'C' but you would first have to tune your guitar a semi-tone down. As you've been playing 15 years you should find that relatively easy. My condolences to you and your band on your loss. Anyone can cover the song.

Jim Wysocki: 'Please play Atlantic City. I was watching Ronson playing 'Maggies Farm' on U-tube. The look on Dylan's face is priceless. My opinion - best guitar ever on that song.

Tiss: 'Still wearing 'Cazals'?' Most of the time.

Arthur Taws: We were doing 'Shallow Crystals' for a while and I sometimes do 'Little Star'. Leave the rest to Joe.

Fig Roll: What happened to the Rainsongs? Love the sound of them - I've still got them. Two here and two I keep in the UK with Tracie. I've been playing Southern Jumbos but you haven't seen the last of the Rainsongs.

Marcus: Mick told me David rang him up to reform the Spiders - I said, 'What did you say?' 'I said - don't be daft - it's been done.' I can't remember when he told me that, but I'm pretty sure it was during his time in Woodstock. One thing with Ronson - he was very modest, so I believed him.

Oystein: 'Norway?' We're trying!!

Teresa Saunders - that's when I knew her - when she was 17!!

Bob Knight: I seldom listen to the stuff I've written. If I do it's only to rmember the words for live work. All of them could be better, but hindsight's 20/20. When you first record songs they're new - after that they're old so that original enthusiasm is missing.

=Scott Souten: Haven't heard all the cover versions. There's been some silly covers and some great covers. I'm just happy the people involved to the time to do them. It's flattering, no matter what the outcome.

Keith Nickless: 'Ian Asbury of the Cult said MTH were a huge influence on him. Were you aware of this. Do you like the Cult?' Haven't listened to them - this is not derogatory - I barely listen to anything.

Jeffrey: 'As printed in Sunday's Virginian Pilot Newspaper Hunter House/Victorian Museum. Admission $5.' That' me.

Keith: Enjoyed 'Rockpalaast' 'We don't get on politically, but that's ok. We still kinda like you, anyhow.' Let me make this clear - I'm no bleedin' heart liberal leftie. I'm pretty much down the center. I find both extremes pathetic. Republicanism is a good concept. I just think the blokes in your party are out for themselves and not for the people so I have a hard time believing anything they say.

And with that - I'm outa here.

IH
The Horse's Mouth