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Issue #48, Part 1 - November 16, 2004

A balmy autumnal day at Hunter Towers. People moving trees about. One had to come down before it fell on us. All manner of plant on the front lawn. One tree was starting to nudge the foundations so they've found it a spot in the sun about 20 yards away. They're also cleaning the eaves. We've got leaves in the eaves. I use to do it, but it's a bit high and I'm not very good with heights at the best of times. Those turrets will get you every time!

Rob Rynerson 'had the honor' at Palatine, Illinois. Wife nearly converted.

Phil Sharago also at Palatine.

Daniel Hafferty likes 'All of the Good Ones' - especially 'That girl is Rock 'n' Roll'. Says nicks me all the time when he writes. 'Come to Kansas, Missouri with Ralpher'. What, so you can nick some more?

Rick Graves drew a picture of me - which I signed. I remember it being pretty spiffy, actually. Do people often bring me artwork to sign? Now and again. The sound was great at the two shows he saw. Hopes Mastro keeps me working. He's a slave driver, Rick!

Jeffrey S. liked Hope C's questionnaire.

Rick Manson asks who was the woman I sang to in Cleveland? Cindy - she runs the place.

Jason Rubin's favourite album is 'Mad Shadows'. Can I describe the state of mind I was in when I wrote, 'No Wheels To Ride' and 'When My Mind's Gone'? Tumultuous, I think would cover it.

Edward: Have I ever played with Chuck Berry? Yes. Was he a pain in the ass? Yes. But then again, he has earned the right to be. (He was a pain in the ass to the promoter - not me.)

Janey sends thanks to Justin (our esteemed web master) for providing the link to the Cream article.

I'm fast-forwarding here - feel like I've answered some of these before.

Mark Sherman enjoyed Dirty Nellies immensely. Band marvelous. Do I still have the Maltese Cross? No.

Bart: How did I hook up with Ozzy? Sharon sent Trudi and email.

Jeff Pavlock: What's up and coming on the new release front? Sanctuary are releasing 'Strings Attached' in the U.S. in February and Secret Records are releasing the DVD of the 2004 Astoria gig to be titled 'Just Another Night'.

Dennis Goodwin wants a new CD of new material. Bit of a wait on that one.

Dave Ogorzaly says we never fail to overwhelm. Blush! Says Detroit show was too short (It was just under two hours!).

Larry Tate says thanks for 'Truth' in Detroit.

Jeffrey changes us all into Wizard of Oz characters. Quite amusing except for the fact that I'm Dorothy!

Shawn from San Diego prefers this site to television - and for that matter - most of the internet. That's because I don't insult your intelligence and you don't insult mine. Come to California. Actually, things might be looking up in the area.

John Richman was in Oslo for 'String'. Did an interview with Norway TV afterwards and said Springsteen was the Boss and I was the 'Guvnor'. 'Is that OK?' Why not?

Tom and Vicky were at the Cellar in Struthers. 'Do English politicians bash each other through the media like they do in the U.S.? Well, they do, but it's perhaps a little more polite. Same innuendos etc. I don't think the U.K. would tolerate a second-hand car dealer like Rush Limbaugh.

Jim Barton flew from Memphis to see us in Cleveland. 'Thanks for a fine show. Who's 'Standing In My Light' written about?' Nobody you know.

Kevan Hawke: 'Where did the name 'Mott the Hoople' come from? It was the title of a book by Willard Manus.

Terry G: Re: Trivia contest. 'Do you know any direct previous connection between you and James Mastro?' Nope, so tell us.

Rick Goward: 'Now the Red Sox have completed their 'historic' comeback by defeating the Yanks, will you root for the Sox in the World Series?' Well, they didn't need any help from me did they?

Kevin from Omaha NE, is a recent fan having bought 6 CDs. What's the story behind 'Jerkin Crocus' Pete Watts knows more about this. I think J.C. was a tramp who lived in Hereford. The memory blurs. What inspired 'I Wish I Was Your Mother'? She who must be obeyed!

Denise Lee: Have you ever considered doing an unplugged CD? Nobody's asked as of yet. She says she loves me - does this help? Well, it's more about marketing and budgets, sad to say. She says record it at the BBC. Actually I am doing something for the Beeb on New Year's Eve - but that's with Jools Holland and his Orchestra. Do KANSAS!!!

H.C.R. asks if I remember opening for the Kinks at the old Electric Factory in 1970? Yup. We had to ask Ray if we could do 'You Really Got Me' (it was half our show at the time!). He, thankfully, agreed. H.C.R. says it was the greatest night of music he ever experienced.

Steven Myles asks, 'How do you decide your set list? I saw you three times over a couple of months and each night was different.' No hard and fast plan. Songs come into your head a couple of weeks before you go out and you do them. I've tended to stick with 'Rant' and 'Strings' material recently as they still sell.

Alexander Falk Jr. says he thinks of me when he writes. 'When does one stop loving their influence and start loving themselves?' Good point. I think you have to inject yourself into your music as soon as you can because it's your personality people are going to buy - not somebody else's. I was heavily influenced in the early days, but you have to get off it or you're basically a cover band.

Richard Bowes loves 'Dead Man Walkin'' and says Tracie seems to have something special too, judging by her band's Astoria gig.

Terri McMahon: Don't know this guy from when I was with them.

Johnny S saw us live in the 70's. Do I still have either H. guitar? Pete Watts said I smashed the original on a gig. A fact I'm none too proud of. Ibanez made another one for me. That's in the Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Come to North Carolina!!

Andrew Field: Did Stan sing the chorus of 'All the Young Dudes' from a hidden microphone backstage?' Well, the chorus was a bit high and he does have a strident voice, so yes - upon occasion.

Michael Marchelos' Have I heard Ozzy's 'All the Young Dudes'? Well, I'm actually on it, so, yes. It's interesting what happens in it - quite took me by surprise.'

Billy Coulter: I have your CD (and the credit!) in the Volvo. Nice one! Billy says, 'play Washington.'

Andy: 'Did you get roped into National Service?' No. Flat feet!!

Michael Buynyard: 'Happy Birthday, Trudi!'

Chris Brown: Do I choose all the gigs on a UK tour or is it organized? I have an agency in England called Helter Skelter and an agent, Emma Banks. Emma gets me the gigs. I'm well aware the Manchester venue wasn't up to it, but that's all we were offered. We keep trying for better places but mid-week can be difficult.

Mark Karmelich: 'Strings Attached' kicks ass - what a great CD. Please - California. Well, it is looking a bit rosier than it has been.

Steve K. Re: John Peel. My first memory of John was at some University gig with T. Rex. John said he was late because he'd been 'climbing trees.' John couldn't have cared less about money music - he liked what he liked and that was it. Integrity. Not many of 'em about nowadays. RIP.

Glenn: Come to Boston. I love Boston. I'm sure we'll be there soon.

David Riske: Who was 'Gypsy' (re: Gypsy's Gibson in OOTB). Can't remember - could have been Luther Grosvenor.

Daniel Allanson. CANADA. Not at the moment.

A few people here are gong to the Downtown.

David, Margaret and Samuel Ian Finch: 1) Any chance of 'One More Time' being a single? Don't know. It's up to Alejandro's people. 2) What is the next cover version you'd like to record'? Don't know. I learned the words to Dylan's 'Every Grain of Sand' - is that a sign? 3) 'One of the best lyrics you've written is from 'Open My Eyes' (Artful Dodger). Where did you get the line 'soft and supple like some alibi'? To tell you the truth I don't even remember that line. The song was about our apartment in New York (at Waterside Plaza). We lived there for five years. I think Darrell Bath got me started on that one. 4) 'I've hard a rumour you kept a diary of the U.K. and European tour. Do you plan to publish it?' I did keep a diary, but it was just for me to look back on.

Ken Hottman: I didn't say that, did I?

Horse's Mouth #48, Part 2 will follow shortly ...