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Issue #65, Part 1 - June 18, 2006

Watching the World Cup. Why does Guinness make excruciatingly poor ads aimed at five year olds when the drinking age limit is 18? Perhaps they know something I'd prefer not to know.

Matt Nojonen asks if there is any chance of a few samples of the new work? Nah.

Rich H : 'Would you consider Wrexham again?' Actually, I thought Wrexham was extremely well run. There's a song on the new record, which started there at a soundcheck - song called Words (Bigmouth). We were treated very nicely in Wrexham.

Owen Kelly understands 'Rollerball' and 'Twisted Steel' are not on the next CD. Says the songs are great. Thinks they're both singles. Actually, 'Twisted Steel' was recorded before the live Astoria DVD, and was in the can. I just thought it was out, so why put it out again?

Mark Gibson: Exeter or Devon? It's down to your local promoter, chaps.

Colin Powell had a great time on his U.S. visit. And why not...

Benno is in awe of Ronno's string arrangements. Did he conduct himself? Does anybody have the parts? You've probably heard about the proverbial arrangement written on a cigarette packet. Mick did this with 'Sea Diver'. Wrote it last minute on a fag packet. Fortunately, the string section was cool to the extreme; Mick directed and a good time was had by all. The arrangement cost us 20 quid.

Ricky Newby: 'What's up with the NY benefit for Love - is it open to regular folks?' Yup. I think the tickets are being sold through TicketMaster.

Janey's foot's a mess - could be worse!

George says I'm underrated and people have pecked at my style and made a lot of money out of it (the Swines!) Thank you, George.

Karin and her sister were in Atlantic City and say they enjoy the shows more and more. All the best to the Rant Band.

Question: Should I keep the 'Rant Band' name or change it to the 'Shrunken Heads'?

Tony Montuoro bought MTH yesterday from Amazon. Listening again - thirty years later. Says it sounds as good as it did back then. Tony's cruising around Korea in a Corvette. Nice one.

Ken Moore: 'Planning any Chicago gigs?' Can't plan anything until we've sorted the record out. It takes forever, unfortunately.

Jason Rubin interviewed Ian Hunter today. Jason is head of Mechanical engineering at MIT and Ian's head of the bioinstrumentation lab there. Ian said whenever he checks into a hotel people ask him if he's a rock star. They never ask me!

Rich: How do you keep the weight off? No secret, Rich. I can get heavy really easily. Eat less, exercise more. Don't believe any of those TV ads full of miracle slimming crap. Speed kills.

Alan: 'Who was the best, Ariel or Mick?' Reminds me of all these top 100 this's or that's the music paper are so fond of doing. They're different.

Jim McConnell: Any progress as to release date and November tour? No, this is going to take a while if it's to be done properly. I've cancelled the November tour. We'll go next spring instead. I'm really trying to get the business end right this time. I feel the last two albums suffered unduly.

John Huffman and son, Jacob, are waiting for an LA gig.

Chriz saw Tracie and her band last night. 'They were brilliant.' My son (6) got her autograph.' Yeah, she said she enjoyed that one. Her new band seems to be settling.

David Evans lives in Tasmania and just got 'Strings Attached' (absolutely brilliant). 'Come to Australia.'

Glenn: The riot you are referring to was at Hammersmith. The management tried to drop the safety curtain as fans stormed through the orchestra pit and started climbing towards the stage. Morgan Fisher and Queen's roadies pulled the grand piano under it (they weren't going to break their own piano). I just remember being out on a riser with Bender going crazy on guitar. Jagger and Bowie turned up. All in all - fun.

John Lappen: Rerecording restrictions in force until early next year. Interesting offer. Try us again next year. We'll keep this in mind, John.

Great World Cup. Do you think those great Eric Cantona ads have anything to do with it?

Barry Diamond wants Toronto shows. We'll be there; I just don't know exactly when.

Marty G.: We wanted Roy Wood at one point but Roy was having a spot of trouble with his manager, Don Arden at the time so we never got the chance. There were similarities musically, at that time. Roy saved my life one summer with 'See My Baby Jive'. What a great song.

Tom Eul: Tom says why don't I reinvent myself? I had a problem inventing me in the first place. Don't want to go through all that again. Tom's worn out five 'Schizo' records. Good on yuh.

Pat: 'We only read you when you write - brilliant! (that effin Guinness ad again!) Not out of place on a Sinatra album.' Actually, when Manilow did 'Ships' he wanted me to change those lines - said his audience wouldn't get them. Never changed 'em and it went top ten.

Matt: Suggests Blur's 'On Your Own' is a MTH/Hunter tribute? Don't know.

Rick Lake: Any plans to remaster and release 'Mott'? I believe they just did.

Bruce: Play 'Life After Death.' Have I tried to quit smoking? Yes - I'm trying right now. Eff off!

Nick Malcolm: Going to the Beacon. I'm not bothered about the Guy Stevens thing, but thanks.

Rick A loved the gig with Dave Mason and asks if our paths have crossed over the years. Not sure - maybe back in the Island days.

Andrew Field: 'How come 'Rest In Peace' is attributed to you, Wattsy and Buffin?' Cos I'm a nice guy. What do I think of the Lep's cover of 'Golden Age'? I think they've done a great job. Not only on my song, but all the others, too. 'What do I think of my cover versions in general?' I'm usually down on them at first. I'm usually down on my own versions at first. After a while they start to sound better and I wonder what the hell I was thinking in the first place. 'Has anyone done a cover version of a song that you think is better than yours?' I told Joe I thought their version rivaled ours, but in general, I really don't think like that. They're different interpretations. Is 'Your Way' on the new record? No. This is a typical case in point. I hated it when we did it. Andy and I heard it a couple of weeks ago and is sounded fine. I'm an idiot - sometimes.

John Von Reine: Glad Def Leppard keeps the faith (great lads).

Paul Kennett: I rang Stan to congratulate him on Hereford's success but he was fed up because a fox had just offed some of his chickens. Well done chaps!!

Pete: Hello, Pete. It'll soon be next year and we'll be back.

Jeffrey: Crap weather therefore a while, but it's all over now. Trudi attending the vast garden - me pulling dead frogs out of the pool. I could get used to this.

Andrew Field: 'How much did 'Shrunken Heads' cost to record?' Can't remember. 'How's the deal coming along?' It's on going. I'm in limbo. 'Who's interested' Quite a few. 'Are you going to tell us about the songs?' Well, the songs usually tell you about themselves. I let them speak for themselves when the time's right. Andrew you are sooo bloody nosy!

Patrick Bernard: 'Are you familiar with Al Stewart ('Year of the Cat')? But that's hardly the sum of it. Like you he is criminally under appreciated by the masses and (also) like you, he's doing some of his best work at an age when most musical artistes have either become nostalgia acts or hung it up completely. It's guys like you and Al who keep me believing that quality has no age limit. Best of luck with the new album.' I was talking to Robert Plant about this. You've got to do your own thing. Some monkeys will always be on your back, but you have to go your own way. Glad Al's doing it.

Ian Hollinghurst: 'Say Hi to Stan and Congrats to Hereford.' Stan's not the fan he once was. Gets boring after a few decades!

Martha and her sister would like to see us at the Royal Oak. So would I. Nice gig - we'll see.

Paul Stepto: 'The Horse's Mouth' is a horse racing term. The gambling fraternity consider the best tips come from people closest to the horses - stable boys, trainers, jockeys etc. One stage better is something from the 'horse's mouth'. I knew that - the source.

Michael Broking can't stop listening to 'Irene Wilde' and asks if she really exists. She did exist - she still does and I'm told she liked the song although I've never seen her since.

Kevin Dennis: 'What's your take on the immigration issue?' If somebody wants to work and there is a need - it is beneficial to everyone - but there must be some control. The trouble is the Immigration Service is swamped, the criminal element gets in and the major problems arise. Each side has its points and I'm a bit left and a bit right on this one. Dangerous times.

Graham Clark lives in New Zealand and definitely enjoys 'Strings Attached'. Best of luck with the band, Graham.

Terence: 'The world waits for a Hunter/Bowie duet.' Really?

Jim Scully says the 'All American Alien Boy' reissue is fantastic. Loves 'Weary Anger' (stripped down version of 'You Nearly Did Me In') and asks if Queen were added afterwards? I think Queen overdubbed around the time we did it. This must have been a different take. Glad you liked it.

Ed O'Brien: 'Who is the girl at the end of the video of 'All of the Good Ones Are Taken'? No idea, forgotten. Say hello to your son for me.

Ed recently saw a band called Mardo. He says they have a MTH think about them and we should check 'em out.

Jeff Salen: How could I forget! Best of luck with 'The Endless Road' I talked to Tommy just the other day. He said he was going to the Beacon. Glad it all worked out for you. We're fine.

Mike Robinson: Happy Birthday and thanks.

Susan + Mikey: We gave my Mum and Dad a Sheltie who had three pups. They kept 'em all.

Paul Abbott: Ralpher and I swapped emails about a month ago. Give my regards to Luther.

Zach Kleinheksel: 'Come to Michigan.'

John: When will you tour next? Spring 2007.

Peter Jorden: 'Do you think of yourself as a rebel? If so, what are the things you are rebelling against and are they more serious or less than past in justices such as the destruction of native culture in your adopted homeland?' I'm a logical person and I don't like standing by and watching stupidity, arrogance and blind belief substituted for common sense and fact. It's bound to creep into the writing. Of course we're ignorant rockers who should shut up and let the idiocy continue unabated, whilst we bewail lost love etc. I think it's a shame where the West is heading. Vocation is losing out to greed. Sorry about that! As we were.

Peter Jordan: All Peter wants is a little honesty, integrity and depth - that stuff's hard to come by.

Francis L: Congrats on your purchase. 'In an interview re: 'Drive In Saturday' Bowie says he shaved his eyebrows off in a drunken rage because Mott refused to re-record the song as their next single. Is this news to you?' No, it comes up now and again. He says we refused to do it; the way I remember it was he didn't want us to do it. Perhaps it was DeFries playing both ends.

Rafe Szynowski: 'Black and gold Ford Anglia' actually the moment I saw it I felt really bad. It just looked totally wrong. Don't know what happened to it - our first car.

Bucks Burnett: 'Is this the most pointless question I've ever asked you?' I've heard worse.

Rick Armstrong: Bar's closed - cheap scotch - listening to the Hoople - 'What an effin' Rock and Roll recording Unbelievable.' Could have been the circumstances.

JR: 'Read any good books lately?' Am reading 'Mayflower' by Nathaniel Philbrick at the moment - vivid, factual; am labouring with Gore Vidal's 'Burr'! Coulda been great, but there's too much Vidal in it. Was going to say too much gore, but there isn't.

Don Brown: 'Is 'Welcome to the Club' available on CD?' Not to my knowledge. [Note from webmaster - It's available on both Amazon USA ($30) and Amazon UK (12 GBP), and many dealers on ebay have it for under $20.]

Rik Rolski: Welcome Lucien Ian Rolski; born 10:55 Wednesday, 31st May. Congrats - Mom and Dad!

Mike Ollier: 'Ad for Saturday evening in South Shields: Ariel Bender's Mott the Hoople. What's your view on this?' Could be the promoter - they're cunning chaps.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...