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Issue #54, Part 1 - July 19, 2005

I have to tell you, I.H. is in a bit of a mess at the moment; herniated disc - sciatica. It's been going on for a month now. I wouldn't wish it on my worse enemy. The actual agony bit is (hopefully) over, but it's a long way back to normality, and it sort of progresses an inch a day. Now I'm getting impatient; but you can't rush it. Most annoying. Just had to cancel gigs over here for the first time in nearly thirty years because of health reasons. No, it's not because I'm getting older!!! I've just got lumbered with it and I've got to wait it out. Apologies to those of you who had planned on the gigs. Believe me - I wish I could be there!

Iain Hamilton: Apologizing for stopping me in Oxford Street before the Astoria (I remember), 'Do a tour book or a diary of a tour.' I have, but it's boring.

Rick A. 'Saw you four times in England - came over from Boston.' Aren't we lucky!

Steven L asks if he's the only 19 year old dudes who likes Hoopling in Aberdeen!

Brian Busby: 'Have you ever attempted a novel?' Not a good idea - lyrics are difficult enough. 'What did you think of 'Your Arsenal' usually cited as Morrissey's finest, produced by sadly missed Ronno?' Morrissey said it best when I asked him how he was getting on with Mick as a producer, 'Perfect'.

Michael Marchelos: 'Just Another Night' format can't be played in the States. What's it all about?' Secret - the label that made that DVD are tying to sort out the publishing in the U.S. for a sublicense here. Unless you have a universal DVD which can play multi-regional DVDs (many Europeans have them and Trudi bought one online for us at a reasonable price) you will have to wait for the U.S. release. For some reason U.S. shops don't sell them.

Shawn: 'Is there a new studio album somewhere on the horizon?' Yes, but it is on the horizon.

Hope Campbell: There's times when you have to laugh at people. Unfortunately, you haven't reached that age yet. There's lots of rich yachties who lead totally useless lives very importantly. But don't worry, they pay in the end.

Alistair: Top show in Glasgow - had a chat with M.C. Bosch. 'Do Road to Birmingham'. Fond of 'Rollerball' and 'Twisted Steel'.

Andy Allison: Fab time in Scotland. 'Why no 'Outsider'?' (I dunno - we were dong it pretty regularly).

Hope Campbell: No, there isn't.

Franz Hendrickson: 'Strings Attached' - incredible stuff.

Walt Ostrander: Not playing anywhere until my back gets better. You've only got one back.

Jonah Worthington: 'Do you still talk to MTH guys?' I talk to Ralpher quite a lot actually. We get on better now than we ever did. I suppose it's because we're older and understand each other better.

Sammy Harris asks us to play 'Pearl and Roy' in Ohio. Would that I could.

Andy King wants a new album (that's two).

Alan Maddox: 'Gloucester gig was so intimate and kicked ass. Loves 'Rant' and the DVDs. 'You're GB's answer to BD. Have followed you since 1970.'

Phil Ash: Astoria excellent. Enjoyed false start - 'Rest In Peace - Hymn for the Dudes'. What was the problem - drink - drugs - or old age? (err, drink). AAAB fantastic live.

Chriz: 'Southampton real good - what song did you enjoy the most?' For Chriz it was 'Marionette/Morons' and 'Dead Man' - me, too.

Dave Fowler says re: smoking - his Grandad's 95 and still drives like Mario Andretti, still mows his grass and still smokes his pipe - so there.

Steve Baratta: Any plans for Chicago this year. Nothing at the moment due to my back.

George Saadi: 'Saw no mention of Steve Popovich's tremendous win on your site.' Well, Steve rang Trudi and told her but I thought it was private, but obviously not. Yup. Steve's a lot better off thanks to the dumb suits at Sony who really ought to have known better! Nice one Steve; good to see a good guy win for a change.

Mark Southampton: Great gig at the Brook. Didn't meet me, but met Ralpher. Also enjoyed Tracie's set. When will I tour next? Who knows, at this point.

Chris Steele: Saw Manchester, Preston and Shrewsbury. What pissed you off at Preston? Everything! 'Will you send me - the Epihone Coronet you were using?' (it's not mine). 'You don't look stupid without a guitar. Please don't stop - I wish I'd had the courage to get out of the 9-5 race years ago and do something I loved.' No courage involved - out board motor up my ass; made me!

Stephen Myles: Loved the Astoria DVD - reminded him of great nights down the years.

Dave Stuart: When will 'Just Another Night' be released in the U.S.?' As I said earlier, they're trying to get the publishing sorted and then we anticipate a release.

Steve Baratta: 'Mike Smith (Dave Clarke Five's original singer and pianist) is still in hospital in London. He has limited use of his hands and no use of his legs. The benefit, organized by Paul Schaffer is at B.B. King's on August the 2nd.' I can't be there because (a) I was gigging myself but (b) I'm laid up too - but Mike Smith is a terrific musician and I applaud Paul Schaffer for doing this and I urge all of you in the area to make an effort. Steve also says he would like a studio version of 'Twisted Steel' and 'Rollerball'. Actually, both songs are already down on tape - in the can, as they say. Isn't this cheating a bit?

Superfly: 'As you took the stage at the Austin show in March, a fan shouted from the back of the crowd, 'I ain't one yet' - which cracked me up in a big way.' Have I heard any other bizarre quotes shouted at me during a show? Well - they do shout stuff every night - unfortunately (or fortunately), my hearing isn't that great so I miss most of them including the one above. 'By the way - shockingly good - 'Rest in Peace' - a brave stroke of brilliance.' Says I nailed 'Standing In My Light' at the Cahn Auditorium at Northwestern University in 1981. What a memory!

Andy Martin: 'How does it feel to be a renascence man?' It's renaissance, Andy, renaissance!

Mark Millicent: Talk to Phil Savill at Sony UK and Universal Publishing.

Andrew Gardner: 'Are you planning to bring Mark Bosch back with you when you tour the UK next year (assuming you are of course)? Would you consider him for studio projects? I found him a breath of fresh air, not that one was needed. Tell him he seriously won over several people that night.' Like I say, we have a team of chaps and whenever I go out, I make the choice. It can depend on the material; it can depend upon availability. Mark, Andy and Jack the Mechanic are all great players and all different - it's a personality thing! We'll see.

Jeffrey: Jeff says Australia (especially the southern portion) is quite nice, actually.

Jesse Shakespeare: Recently published a book on Poetry and Physics and is sending me a copy. No good at physics, Jesse. Our Physics teacher at school was actually picked up by two gentlemen in white coats and taken away in a van. That was it.

Dean Rocker: 'How are my trousers doin'?' Do you still have them or are they falling apart?' First of all, they're my trousers - not yours. Secondly, if you had been a little more observant of late, Dean, you would have noticed a detectable change in stage apparel. Ha! 'Why have you never done 'It Ain't Easy When You Fall' - live? (It's boring.) 'Have you ever considered using an Epiphone Casino live (Nope; Les Paul Jr. for me.)

Tall Paul: 'Come to Phoenix! Call Danny Zelisco at Evening Star.' Says KCDX is playing more I.H. and MTH at your email request. No jox, no commercials and 103.1 streams onto the net. 'What do you think about the baseball season so far?' Haven't seen it so far, but couldn't resist watching Al Leiter pitch for the Yanks against Boston last night. What a shot to get - just when it seems like it's all over. And boy, did he make good use of it. Whatever happens next, Al, that was a great game you pitched last night.

Eddie Sabinski: 'Come to Michigan, PLEASE!' Can't get as far as the garden at the moment!

Hank Josephine: 'Come to Michigan.' Collusion's in the air.

Kevin from Newcastle is moaning about no Newcastle gig, but loves 'Just Another Night' DVD.

Milo: 'Did you really say, 'Wake up you lazy bastards.' to open your set at the 1971 Weeley Festival?' (Well, I was an angry young man.) 'Apparently you had a disagreement with your keyboard as well - tipping it over at the end of your set (a regular occurrence - and it use to land on my feet sometimes - which nobody seemed to care about - what a prat). We do that tipping thing with cows in the south - never head of keyboard tipping - doesn't seem that strenuous!!!' (You ain't seen my feet.)

Chris Brown: Manchester Academy top venue - great set. Finish on a big number!!! That's what everybody does. Still, I suppose there's a good reason for it.

Ed Cole saw us at Worcester in 1973 with Queen supporting. Lost touch. Found us again this year. Bristol - wonderful. 'Five kids all more talented than me, but no taste.' Why can't I get TAB (what's that?) for MTH and some more recent stuff?

David - You don't have to convince your boss now. Sorry.

Mark Davis: You just send it.

Paul Kennett: I am the star struck 48 year old that Stan allowed back stage at Bilston and Worthen -both brilliant nights. Ever consider re-recording, 'The Journey,' 'Angel,' 'Original Mixed Up Kid,' or 'Irene Wilde' now that your voice has aged into its magnificent sound?' Aah, thank you, Paul. Me and my disc (however herniated) needed that! No, I haven't actually, but it would be nice. You never know.

Hope Campbell: Language - dear. Language.

Gregory Marincic: 'Start playin' 'The Other Man' - it would go well with the U.S. Rant Band. Started listening to 'Dirty Laundry' after awhile. Love that bluesy country feel (Darrell Bath constantly gives off that authentic feel). Just when I think I've listened to all your stuff, you pull me back in with something I missed. Your music makes me so HAPPY.' I like this email, thanks Gregory.

Barry says I was a great excuse for a weekend in Shrewsbury, well, me and Iron Bridge (my Mum told me one of my relations built Iron Bridge). Bottled out on an autograph - silly girl!

Mark/Detroit: There was a chance Mark, but there isn't now. Got to sit this out. (Actually, I can't sit - I'm still lying down at the moment.)

Greg and his wife have 'living in a heart with you' engraved on their wedding rings.

Ralph Cohen: Oh dear, O dear. Sorry Mr. Aspinall - they come in 3's. That's your lot!

Carl Ewens says a lot of people want a full length 'Journey' at some juncture. I'm OK with that, but isn't it a bit boring for those non-die hards? (And it's long, too.) Dilemmas, dilemmas. He also says, 'Don't put Nightingale on the next DVD'. Jeez - am I the only one that likes this song?

Tom McGarry: Great show in Aberdeen. Rock star of choice for Moray College. Eight of them went and had a great time. Hello to Heather, Jackie, Fraser, Carolyn, Kirsten, Cara and Alex. Recording a studio 'Twisted Steel' would be great (in the can). Please don't rest 'Dudes'.

Matt Nojonen talking about 'Irene Wilde'. It's easy to see why it's endured now, - but this was before I put it on record. You have no clue then.

Ian: 'Felt a bit flat in Crewe Ian … nicely played, but not top notch? I've got to be honest; we did too much. Too many gigs before we even got to the UK and then 18 in the UK was too many. Then we all got colds/flu (well, three of us including me) so it was just a question of hanging in. It happens with tours. It's OK. We'll just do less next time and enjoy them more! Tours in a way are like going to work; you're selling yourself. There are good days and bad days. I'm sure you all know that from going to other gigs. I'm not knocking it; we had some fabulous nights, but it did get tiring for me that last week.

Alexander Falk: Is a sign guy and he wishes he could rip down every Clear Channel poster he sees.

Andrea: 1) How did you come to be interviewed on Medford MA) public TV a few years ago? Don't remember it. 2) Many reviews of the album 'American Idiot' point out obvious MTH influence. Do you hear it? Haven't heard it … must be an idiot.

Buddy Cage: 'I'm the slide (it's a steel guitar, eck-shoo-ly!) from New Riders mentioned in your book, 'Diary of a R'+'R Star'. Nice to know - after all those years - I spun your head.' An honour old chap, and sorry about the slide thing - cough!

Doug says it's not cheating to do 'Twisted Steel,' 'Rollerball,' and 'Salvation' if I want to put them on a studio CD. Thanks for the Astoria.

Stay Tuned! The Horse's Mouth #54 Part 2 will follow shortly ...