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Issue #56, Part 1 - September 15, 2005

The towers are alive - with the sound of music .. Well, at least I'm tryin!

Alexander Falk Jr. tells me he knew YUIORTA came from the Stooges. Why ask me then?

Wyatt Ford asks if I'm feeling better. Quite spiffy, actually. Not 100% but I think it's the muggy weather that's supposed to leave any day now. Come to OHIO! I'll be there.

Lucy Biddulph: It's out of print (a crying, idiotic shame)! Try eBay.

Greg Varlesi: What happened to the members of MTH - are they still alive? None of us has popped of as of yet - which I believe shows a certain degree of intelligence (genetics permitting).

Dolpho Saldana writes this is his first time on the site. Says the Key Club was outstanding (blush). Jaco did play on 'Alien Boy' (It's being re-released next year in the UK by Sony with accompanying proof.) 'Both of the Micks and you changed musical tastes forever.' Well that nice, but a tad ambitious - than you!

David Stewart asks when 'Just Another Night' will be released in the U.S. We're waiting too. They say it's being sorted out. Hopefully, soon.

Wilhelm asks if we are planning a trip to Finland next year? Well, it's always in the hands of the promoters and their offers, but yes, it is being discussed. Wilhelm raving about Hanoi Rocks - says they're better than ever at the moment. Well - you're supposed to get better - that's the idea.

Dan Hartman: Which is harder - singing while playing guitar, or harping while playing guitar? Harping for me. I've never found harness that doesn't bump into the mike.

Dennis Leonard: I never realized we were that much of a threat although I do remember a teacher coming up to me once in Utrecht (where we played the University) and asking me if I was a human being.

Chris Semal: On writing at night. It's a well-known fact among the songwriting fraternity that ideas do come when half asleep. Everybody's lost at least one hit by thinking he'd be sure to remember it when he/she woke up. Some folk were smarter (Keith Richard's 'Satisfaction' is the biggest example). Right now I have pads and four cassette players (old habits die hard) littered about the house. Can't afford to miss anything. Of course, a lot of it is rubbish and revision is a pain as I tend to let things pile up. Part of the job. Good luck with the novel!! I'll wait 'til something happens for the man.

Jackie: It's your Floridian promoters who have to contact Paradise Artists.

Glenn Leonard asks if there are any videos available from the Mott days. Sony are working on a DVD now.

Pete Arvidson would prefer us at the Paradise to the Stones at Fenway. It takes all sorts.

Henry 'Dixie' Howard says there is much discussion about the song 'Boy' on the Yahoo/Hunter/Mott Group. Who was I singing about? Well, I've said before it was an amalgamated lyric. One thing I can tell you that nobody knows is that 'Boy' initially was quite a bit longer. Ronno didn't like one section so I pared it down.

Yugen (Germany) got 'The Truth, The Whole Truth'. Says it's one of the finest CDs he's heard in years. 'A real Hunter disc - effing brilliant!' Danke.

Jim Meade's having a problem with his computer, but he finally gets there! 'Just heard Mott review on NPR (it's almost like real radio). Thank God someone has ears. Well, we all do Jim - it's just they get infected.

TS is looking for stuff from the old days. Wrong place TS - try eBay. Don't get me wrong - I just don't look back.

Steve Molnar: Yeah - sorry about Buffalo. Herniated disc put me out of commission for a while. I will endeavor to make it up along the way.

Rich V: Did I like The Cars as a band. Well, I was never that keen on that type of music, but having said that The Cars had great songs and Rick Ocasek had unique vocal ability and a great ear. I think they were a great band.

Matt Nojonen says I missed some fun stuff in Ohio. 'A SWAT team stormed a house near Dayton expecting to find a murderer, but came up with a parrot - and one of the most incompetent boobs to occupy the Governor's mansion was slapped on the wrist for ethics violations he swore he wasn't aware of - this after having served as Secretary of State!' I was watching the Supreme Court hearings. Some of these Senators (Republican AND Democrats) are on a different planet. I only hope Mr. Obama comes through down the road unscathed.

Dave Cope: 'Play Southport!' Pretty town.

Daniel Mcllenan: 'Play Boston; we need you!'

Willie fie Glasgi: I'm OK. Next studio album? Working to that end. Covers album? Not in the picture as there are no offers for me to do this. Willie then lists covers which I'll file - just in case. How's it going?

Mark Davis: Proves to be a nifty lyricist. Keep at it.

John Hess: Yes, we were looking forward to the Steve Miller shows. We get offered stuff all the time, but this was one we really wanted to do. Sorry about that.

Fiona: Ta.

Randy Romig: 'The Yanks have a payroll of $205 million and the Indians have a payroll of $45 million. How does it feel that the Indians have a better team?' Well, I think Steinbrenner's an old guy and he likes to get all his heroes on his team. The fact that he empties his farm system regularly to pick up 40 year old pitchers is, at the very least, short-sighted. It's kinda like Chelsea. You're supposed to win every game injury free. I wouldn't be happy playing for the Yankees. I'm sure millions would. Constant winning is boring - especially against small budget teams - and if you lose - there's all hell to pay. I haven't watched them (regularly) for four or five years now. Grew out of it. Randy also says Bill Lewis of WNCX (Cleveland 98.5) always has kind words for moi. Thank you Bill!

Hope Campbell: Actually, I didn't really mind lying on my back all day - caught up on reading American history. It's when I moved it got ugly.

James Zemba: Seen me perform 17 times since Mott's first album. Just got a herniated disc! DO NOTHING!!!

Edward Shirley says to read, 'Four Men In a Boat' re: sciatica.

Nick Malcolm: Suggests a T-shirt, 'We were Morons - from the day we were born'. Mmmmmm. Can be taken two ways, Nick.

Tod Dension bought a sex manual and threw his back out over a misprint. Serves you right - invent your own.

Larry Woodside says China Smith (a great supporter of our stuff) passed recently. China worked on most of the major radio stations in LA. Larry says he will be sorely missed. Am I writing new songs? Yes. Did I ever play with Willy DeVille? No, but I like him.

Chris Hludzik says I'm 'criminally underrated' so we got to include him!

Dan Hartman: Don't swing albums - swing lighters.

Jeffrey is impressed by Buddy Cage email. 'Awesome - a virtuoso - as good as Pete Drake and Buddy Emmons!' Yes, it was nice recently, in fact, close to perfect - but the past few days have been well stuffy at the Towers.

Scott: 'Do Jersey/NYC!' Now and again, Scott, now and again! You say Craig got you into one of our rehearsals - any friend of Craig's is a friend of mine.

Brian Bonhomme: I don't remember about Harlow. We were doing five nights a week in those days - it's possible. Buff does have a good memory for certain things.

Janey: 'Had a dream that an entire venue was singing 'I Wish I Was Your Mother' you weren't there. We just like the song. It was bit like the Count Basie in Red Bank, New Jersey. Hope you're feeling better.'

David Kiley: Just found the site - and 'Rant'. 'What a great record.' Welcome aboard, David.

Robert Small: I heard Lynsey De Paul say 'Ariel Bender' as she watched Mick Ralphs run down a street in Mannheim, Germany bending all the car aerials and dunking his head into a horse trough of all things. I kept it in mind until the Luther situation came up and then suggested it to Luther at a pub in Hampstead. He like the idea and the rest is history.

Tim Keans: 1) 'If you did all the material again for Overnight Angels who would produce it?' I wouldn't do it again. 2) 'Were there any thoughts on employing Bob Ezrin on any records? I was in a band Bob was putting together once, but it came to nothing. 3) 'How do you rate Hanoi Rocks? Good at what they do. 'Kiss'? - Please… 'Enuff Z Nuff' - never listened to 'em. 'Space Hog' - don't anything about them; 'Cheap Trick' - Good. Tim rates Rammstein (German Band). You know, I've written rock songs, but I don't really consider myself a rocker - I'm a writer.

Julian: Play SXSW! I just did!

Willie's got a new phone - one of those singing/dancing ones and - of course - 'No Wheels to Ride' is the ringtone. He says people are getting fed up with him ringing himself! Willie - let's be honest - it's getting sad!

Rich Whalen: 'Rest up you old sod.' Gee, thanks.

Ian Kelley: ditto

Arnie/Northampton: 'Who sang, 'The Outsider' on the secret sessions? Corky? I don't remember, but it was probably Corky as it was his album. Corky can sing.

Heather: Yes, go for it.

Chris F: 'How were the relationships in the '70's between Mott, Ronno and Bowie?' It was great between Bowie, Mick and us. David was a fan and helped all he could. He had more songs for us for the ATYD's album, but came to a rehearsal and said he liked the ones we'd written and we'd stick with them. Didn't really know Mick as well as David at that time. Mick came later.

David Nagy asks if I ever listen to jazz - Coltrane 1960's and Miles Davis 70-75? No, for some reason I didn't and I don't. You write and are affected by how you grow up and I never heard that stuff growing up. For me it was a different time, I was, and still am, concerned more with the present and as I've said before, I'm not a musician - I'm a writer. Do I feel I've missed something? Yes, I do - and I do love Charlie Parker records and Miles records, but I don't make a connection. I don't know what it is. Go figure.

Sheila Osborne: Can't help you there, Sheila; lost touch.

Don: 'Ohio this year?' Maybe next.

Terry: 'Big fan Indianapolis. 16 year old daughter loves 'Rant'. Current fave is 'Wash Us Away'. Good oh!

Martyn lives in Perth, Australia. Seeing plenty of 'MTH' and 'Ian Hunter' CD's about (even 'Strings' DVD). Any plans for Aussie tour? Nobody's offering mate.

Andrew Clegg: Not into producing any more, Andrew.

Adrian: I have an inbuilt aversion to learning, which started early on and is now worse! Do I see any similarities between 'Overnight Angels' and the Clash. Not really; go back a bit further.

Verne Davis: 'Thunderthighs' were our excellent session trio (Karen was one name that comes to mind). They just seemed to understand what we were doing. It's always easier if walk-ons 'get it'. The bug goes on!

Ian Kell: Newcastle has not made us an offer on the last two tours. Our promoter there got in trouble and his replacement hasn't come up with a bid. Search me. I love playing Newcastle and we do well there.

Stephen Myles wants to put 'Roll Away the Stone' in his band's set. Needs the blessing. You've got it - good luck!

Michael: 'Play Winnipeg! Do another record!' Jeez. If life were that easy!

Stay Tuned! The Horse's Mouth #56 Part 2 will follow shortly ...