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Issue #57, Part 1 - October 18, 2005

Sorry I'm late. Nipped into London for a week. Saw Tracie's band; loved the new stuff especially 'Heroin' and 'Vanilla'. Good time was had by all.

Alan Maddox: Glad things are looking up, Alan. Been through a few myself. Glad to have been of service!

George Braithwaite: Wants the prices for stuff at the web store in UK pounds as well as dollars. This I understand, but the dollar/pound thing fluctuates a lot, so I'm not sure Rick can do this. I will ask him.

In. Keith: 'Got an new axes?' Nope. Rainsong acoustics and Les Paul Juniors. Actually, every guitar has got a song in it - I should try a few more. Can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Michael: Owns a hydro therapy store (Artic Spas in NY). Says he hates Ray Davies and me falling apart. I don't know about Ray, but I'm OK now. Thanks for the thought.

Matt Nojonen: 'What are you planning to do when you get old?' Haven't really thought about it. I guess I'm doing it.

Jim: You're right.

David Piwonski: Got his T-shirts and loves them. Good oh!

Simon loved Bergen and Oslo. What do I think about the Pogues and Dogs D'Amour? Apparently Shane MacGowan's first gig was a MTH one and him started - James Fearnley says he recorded a demo with MTH. He may well have done but I don't remember it. Good bands.

Susan Elaine Martin: I think Tony and George don't intervene because they're too busy sorting out that other pickle they've gotten themselves into. 'Ever thought about using my savvy to convert idiots?' Well, I do try in my own way. 'Rant' was a bit of dig at the UK owners, but not many seem to notice or particularly care. The next one is a tad political too. It just makes one so sad and medieval.

Tony Smith talks about 'Death of a Nation' apropos above.

Fion: Yup - I do read this sight - welcome aboard! Time to catch up.

Mark Saucier/New Orleans: Another new arrival! Yes, Mick lived on Glasco Turnpike in Woodstock for many years. He'd have been happy to chat.

D Kelvin is surprised to see Brian May, 'and not the great Andy York in the central photo of the live CD. Well, Andy and Ralpher did the motherload, but it's Brian on 'Memphis'. Secret have been promising us copies - haven't even see it.

Ron Frankl loves the new CD. 'Ralpher great. Whole recording a joy to behold.' I don't know about 'All of the Good Ones' being released in the near future, I think the next reissue from Sony will be 'All American Alien Boy' in the spring of 2006.

Rob: We just met! Rob read a 'Classic Rock' article and wanted it to go on.

Rob Young: 'Does Andy ever break into Mellencamp licks at rehearsals or in concert? I don't think so …

Pete Jordan read Iggy Pop's biog in which I'm quoted as being less than kind about his talent. Maybe that's the very early days or it was taken out of context. Iggy's a one off - totally unique - goes his own way. I respect that.

Tom Landry: How nice of you to offer. Unfortunately, I'm fully loaded up in that department at the moment.

Jim Knight: Would I play at Foxwoods? Sure if it was right.

Scott: Well, publishing companies hustle (or are supposed to hustle) your songs to producers etc. In return they get a piece of the song. Publishers vary; some try, some are sheisters who just build catalogues. They may be legit. It can take years before you're covered and often it's a fluke.

Jeffrey: Well, we've had our rain and we needed it. I guess we're lucky up here.

Gary Cochrane: Saw us in Aberdeen. Says he's spreading the word. Nice one, Gary. Will we do Aberdeen again? Don't know.

Gene Casey is fascinated by Mott covers - why such odd covers? Dion was Guy Steven's idea (Dion was less than pleased, I've been told!) Doug Sahm - another Guy Stevens idea. Sonny Bono was my idea because I could sing his songs. 'Lay Down' we did because I just liked the song.

Larry Lee calls me the Reverend Hunter! I've been called a lot of things but this is way off the mark! I'm not sure I know of the repackage you're referring to, but you seem to be enjoying it so - great!

Mikey: Glad I'm better. Thanks.

Verne Davis: Who were 'Thunderthighs'? I've had this one before; they were a back-up vocal trio. I remember one being named Karen, but the other names escape me. They were great though, and instinctively knew what we were after. I think they did something with Lou Reed, but I'm not certain. It's a long time ago.

Glenn the Rock: Complicated!

Bobby Ballock: 'If a film was made of MTH who would play IH?' Well, if they hurry up, I'd stick a bit of pancake on and do it myself!

Bob C.: Thanks!

Mike Robinson: Don Ohio. I was thinking next spring.

Jeff: It's going good, but it's early.

Nick Allsopp: 'How much of the follow up album to 'The Hoople' had you got mapped out?' To the best of my recollection - apart from 'Lounge Lizard' - nothing. 'Henry and the H Bomb' had been around for a while, but I could never get the lyrics. Jeff Tweedy showed me lyrics he said I'd written to it - and they were good - I figured Jeff had filled in the spaces, but that was years later. I don't know.

Shawn loved the 'Ariel Bender' story. 'Was there any tension when you replaced Stan?' No - it was just the opposite. Stan was great, but he wasn't right for MTH and he was the first one to say it. The first time I went to see the band in the flat on Lower Sloane Street, Stan was the only one who spoke to me. The others seemed extremely shy. We got Stan back as soon as we could because of his magnum personality (which is still intact).

Carl: Play the whole of 'The Journey'. You're not alone, Carl, but it's so bloody long and slow.

Mick McKenzie says I said I'm not doing UK next spring. I now say, wait and see.

Mark/Southampton: Do The Brook again!

Drew Eckman: Sad, but true. We are aware.

Ian Hollinghurst: 'When you first met Dylan, what did you say to him?' Well, the first time I met him I was pretty sauced, so I just said hello. He was hanging out one night with three or four of us. We finished up in a bar near his house in the Village. I think it was on Thompson Street. This bar had a back door he could use to disappear home. I just left him alone - didn't feel up to intellectual exercise - or actually talking!

Matt Donaldson saw the Roxy shows (with Ronno) in LA way back when. 'Most rockin' show I'd ever seen. Music tight and emotional and very rocking. I'd seen Queen, Sparks, and Bowie, but this show was very special. Why are there no photos of the Ronson period?' Well, there are Matt. I mean we did a double album at the Roxy (Welcome to the Club) and photos abound.

Hope Campbell: Actually, I think you can get 'Diary' on our website. You'll enjoy it.

Steve: Come to Seattle!

Fiona is talking about Lorraine Ellison's 'Stay With Me Baby'. Loves it. Then she talks about how lyrics can heal and I only hope that's true.

David Robertson says 'Brain Capers' is one of the highest achievements in modern civilization. That's stretching it a tad, David. Says you can now get the Willard Manus original, 'Mott the Hoople' book (not a MTH bio - the book we got the name from). Apparently, my face is on the front now (they never asked). Amazon has it.

Tom McGarry: 'Printer's error!' Guy Stevens - yes.

Adrian: 'In the 'Great Rock Discography' your date of birth is listed as 3/6/46. Elsewhere it's different - what's correct? Were you at the Priory Grammar School too! Sure, I was there. Go figure it out.

Chris Emerson asks, 'Have you read Stuart Maconie's book, 'Cider with Roadies'? It's the best book since 'Diary'.' I'll have a look for it.

Hope Campbell is again gainfully employed after the Yacht Club disaster. On the whole I think movies are better than undies.

Peter Jordan: Do I ever wish some of my stuff was less personal and revealing? Well, you reveal what you want to reveal, but sometimes a song can be so simple and powerful you have to let it see the light of day. Hopefully, nobody's been hurt by what I've said. It's never meant that way, although I can get a little defensive at times. They're not all totally truthful, but there's elements of truth that justifies the song's existence. I don't see the point of total prefabrication. I've done it and I don't find it satisfying, because it means nothing to me.

Victor Martinez: There's always going to be opinions and I understand that, but don't forget you're putting a live show up against a recorded one. Two different animals.

Bryan says he thinks, 'Leave Me Alone' and 'To Love A Woman' were both written for airplay (he likes them, but they don't somehow sound the same). Well, they weren't specifically written for airplay, but they did seem like singles so I guess it all ties in with Peter's email above. I remember 'Leave Me Alone' left me alone. Wish I'd never written it. I/we never did get it right.

Wayne Dean: Was it me at Dulles on 9/25? Nope.

Janet from California was at Sheffield and in Scotland for gigs. 'I have to tell you the men on the IH tartan Army are the finest I've come in touch with!' Kudos Willie and Co.

Peter Holsapple's band the DB's 'borrowed' Andy Burton. 'He was exceptional. Is 'England Rocks' available anywhere on CD?' I think it may be on a Sony compilation. Peter lost all his singles in New Orleans.

Bob/Nevada: On about Michael Picasso. Thank you.

Will Bailes sends a lovely email about 'Strings'. Much appreciated. That old 'best kept secret' thing again. I don't want to be a secret!

John Von Reine says the Downtown in Farmingdale has closed down. That's a shame.

Lee Shafer sends greetings to M.C. Bosch - Lee and Paul. So that's why he was throwing the guitar around a bit!

Peter Holmes: Re: Newcastle. Not really; it's up to the venue and Emma at Helter Skelter. Hope it works out.

Joe Marn finally got 'Truth'. Had to get it online as it's not in Toronto stores. 'Great stuff - come to Toronto.'

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...