Wet and windy at Hunter Towers - and so to pen.

Victor Martinez: 'What's the story behind 'Big Mouth' (Words) on Shrunken Heads? It's self explanatory.

Gary Gick: Loved Anaheim Grove. Good one.

Steve Hall: 'You have got to come to Leeds.' Oh, dear.

Pete Iwuc: Nice one.

Tony Day: 'Why no Leeds?' Ask the promoter. I'm fine with Leeds. It just hasn't worked out so far.

Stano: Thank you, sir.

Gary Sawruk: Long live me!

Momma's Little Julie: Was at the Fillmore - 'The first time ever seeing you playing! Wonderful, but one hour was way too short! Anywhere near Chicago's fine with me.' We're working on it.

Alberto Bollero: Trouble is Alberto's got tickets for Vargas Blues Band - which he's had for some time - and now he's just found out we're in Madrid on the same night. Can we change it? It's not that easy, Alberto. He says a few fans have the same quandary he's got. Unfortunate. Hope you come to see us!

Howard Chapman: 'New York City?' I've heard BB's is on the cards for June but it's not been confirmed as yet.''

Dan Lellek: 'Thank you for signing the set list in Healdsburg. She had it taped to her heart on the ride back to MT. Fillmore was a lot of fun too.'

Ada: Welcome to cyber space Mill! My old friend Miller Anderson has got a web site now, MillerAnderson.co.uk - I'll give this to Trudi.

Dean: Enjoyed the West Coast jaunt. We'll be back in June (on the West Coast that is).

Phil Monaghan: It's true I started wearing shades in Blackpool. I was sitting on a tram and I couldn't stop squinting, so I nipped off to Woolies and purchased my first ever pair. It's not true that I wore them at the MTH audition (which was in London).

Rick Lake and his son enjoyed Anaheim. His son (21) says, 'Original rockers always have the tightest bands and the best rock attitude.' Rick also enjoyed 'The Charms' (we did too); they're a Boston Band; very good. 'Where did you wind up having dinner?' In the car park.

Dennis: 'Are the dates you have announced for the U.S. the only U.S. dates?' No, they'll be more added.

Michael Marchelos: 'Never realized the similarities between 'When the Daylight Comes' and 'Small Town' by John Mellencamp. I guess instead of royalties, you got Andy.' Andy's still with John - that's his main gig.

Bryan: 'Thanks for a great evening in Anaheim. Haven't see you since '83 - you're better than I remembered - and I remember a great show. Felt a young man again - band awesome. Thank you.'

Glen: 'Saw the show at the Grove. Great. Are you coming back with the same band?' We're coming back with a new set list and M.C. Bosch will replace Andy as AY is out with JM. Rest of the band remains the same.

Robert Mathison: Finally - IN PERSON (Henry Fonda - LA). Luvd the whole thing plus The Charms (didn't see the Zombies).

Stale: Opening for us in Trondheim. 'Highlight of our lives!' Aw, c'mon.

Vinnie Siegal saw me with Ringo - thought I used different tunings. I do. Mainly G; sometimes E.

Bryan Gorden: 'What were you listening to when you wrote AAAB?' Forgot. I was just hanging out with Jaco, Bobby Columby and a couple of jazz guys that probably motivated me.

Patrik Hanson: 'Do better covers!' You want to pay for them?

Joe Gorman: Memories of 'Youngstown Agora'. Met Stiv Baters there (he came to a gig). Threw an oversized plant pot at Ronson (who was playing me up). It cost $100 to replace and I made Mick pay half because he wound me up.

Steve Jeal: I've no idea why Brighton is over 18's only. I'm sorry about your son, but I have no sway in the matter.

Phillip Ranelli: 'Thank you for the Fillmore; please come back.'

Nick Barnes: Give my love to TM - it's difficult, right?

Tim Sheiring: 'Saw you at the Fillmore; you've still got it.' Thank you! Right - Mott played the Fillmore West - I thought it was different. Some guy told me at the airport.

Dave Ings: 'Irene Wilde was real.' Were 'Alice'; 'Whizz Kid' - 'Angel of Eighth Avenue' real too? I know 'Angel' was.

Dave Tyndall is a priest in Dublin, 'Thanks for inspiration and fell good factor - I use your music and lyrics to wake young people out of their complacency.' Good is good - bad is bad - that's all I'm saying, Dave.

Tyler: 'On Howard Stern they played songs that copied other songs. One was 'Small Town', which they say ripped off 'When the Daylight Comes'. Was this ever addressed?' Nope.

Steve Weiderman: 'Lightening Strikes Twice! San Juan Capistrano - bringing my MOTTMAN license plate! Yes, I'm looking forward to that one. Good gig.

Jeffrey: 'Straight back from the West Coast inks Horse's Mouth. My amazement never ends.' Hey - I was lying down and they moan at me if I'm late.

Leon Laudenbach: 'Love new song (Words) - production right on - Stones worthy. Lyric wise everyone should take a lesson. Any plans for First Ave. in Minneapolis MN?' It's up to First Ave.

Frank: 'Happy you're with Yep Rock - they've done a wonderful job promoting Southern Culture on the Skids and our home boy Reverend Horton Heat. I'm sure they will give you much deserved support. A U.S. tour would be sensational.' We shall see!

Mike Chanon: Nearest west is Birmingham, I think. Things could change.

Dominique found a recording of an Akron Agora gig I did with Todd Rundgren! 'Astounded by the joy that emerges from recording. Did Ronno play on this tour?' No, but he turned up and played on a couple of the dates. I forget which.

Willie: I'm not bothered at all Willie, but if it ain't in the set - don't feel bad. It's complicated putting a set together and you can't please everybody as we know, so I just please myself. Hoping for your continued support with humour intact.

Dave P. loves sample song ('Words') from 'Shrunken Heads'. I'm very pleased with what the English label is doing as well as Yep Roc. It's great to have people really working for this record. Nice one, Mick!

Magz: Will 'Standing in My Light' be in the Glasgow set? Nah.

Constance Van Beek: 'Saw Fillmore - incredible (I was the one with the Hereford United T-shirt). Loved the set. Loved the new song you showcased - 'Words'. Can't wait for 'Shrunken Head's' release. Nearly there now. Please do the Mid- West.' Apparently there's some promoters out there mad at me because of the back problem I had a couple of years ago. This is total BS; you try working with a herniated disc and sciatica. I couldn't move an inch let alone travel. They'll come round, but it's all time consuming.

Mark T. 'What's the reason behind Leeds?' I can't say but it has nothing to do with me.

Rege Kraus: 'Did the 'Houserockers' ever open for you? Don't think so, but Mick and I knew Joe and the Lads.

Alan K: First part - forgotten.

Mark Silverstone: 'Just heard 'Words' - can't wait for the album if 'Words' is anything to go by. Another great from the big mouth.' Thank you for that.

Ron Scarlett: 'Listened to 30th Anniversary AAAB. Great album. Surprised it didn't get more recognition the first time round.' The trouble was (as Joe Elliott eloquently informs me) that people like Joe were about 16-17 at the time and expected another rock record. Joe says he just didn't get it at he time. Now he gets it. He has a point.

Recalculating Bob: 'Had a ball on the West Coast - spurred to action - 'Big Mouth' ('Words') great - can't wait for new album and UK tour.

Roger Ellison loves 'Rant'. Loves it when I work with Andy York.

Bruce suggests MTH get together in a pub and do a DVD of chat and playing -that's it - no touring etc. Good idea.

Peter Jorden: It's funny you should mention Beverly as that was the night Andy York met Minnie Ronson (Mick's Mum).

Brent Coursey: It's down to Dayton promoters.

Kevin (Newcastle) 'Great to see you're coming to Newcastle - got my tickets already - 19 year old son 'loves to see legends'. That makes you an official Legend, Ian!!! (us oldies have known for years) See you in Newcastle! Ticket sales are -as they say - encouraging. Don't hang about.

Jeff: 'Words' you gotta winner there. Just my opinion. We're guardedly optimistic; the press and radio response good so far. Nice advance orders. Keep 'em coming!!

Bill C: 'Words' is pretty good. Somehow you always get the job done. Looking forward to seeing you in NYC. Maybe SH will convert the wife.' What does she like?

Tim: 'If you walk in a club and a band (if they're good) are playing one of your songs - how do you feel?' Flattered.

Paul L Heureux: 'Did you ever meet Freddie Mercury? Fred and all the Queenies have always been mates. They use to open for us.

Bill: 'How do you feel about real fans swapping tapes?' If no money's involved and they've bought in the past - fine.

Ian Martin: 'Looking forward to King Tuts. Will you be playing 'Shrunken Heads' material?' The set will be a lot different.

Paul L. Heureux: 'Why is it you Brits created 98% of the great R/R ever produced?' Oh, I wouldn't say that at all. The U.S. was where it all came from. We played our small part.

T. Rheinholdz just bought tickets for Vastervik, Sweden on July 27th. Enjoy!

Matt Nojonen: 'Listened to 'Big Mouth' and all the samples on the Yep Roc site and they are fantastic. 'Rant' was a high bar to clear - you've done it.' Well, 'Rant' was one kind of record and this is another.

Ken Moore: Chicago! What is a 'Jerkin Crocus'? Pete Watts used to do all kinds of weird things with people's names . This guy was a tramp in Hereford. His name wasn't Jerkin Crocus but that's what Pete turned it into.

Bob Clark (Kings Lyn) - oh, go for it!

Celtic Rock: SHUT IT!

AL MOORE: 'Just listened to 'Words'. Excellent, voice as good as ever. Which track are you most happy with? Is there another 'Dead Man Walking'? All the tracks play their part. Don't think in terms of comparisons. This is what it is.

Bob Jones pre-ordered SH. 'Is your agent shopping you for gigs in the U.S.?' YES!

Greg Horne works for Red Eye/Yep Roc. Loves the record. Heard it close to 100 times and it 'keeps getting better'. Buyers are very excited. Love to buy you a drink on the road.' Lovely. Let's hope we can keep this thing moving. Look after me, Greg!

Brian Mc: 'Looking forward to the Canyon Club in California. Who's in the band?' Steve Holley, Andy Burton, James Mastro, M.C. Bosch and Paul Page (the new kid). 'I'm a huge MTH fan - I would love to hear some of those songs.' I see.

Don: 'Ohio, this year.' Yup.

Steve M.: 'Just ordered 'Shrunken Heads'. Got the downloads - holy s ___t! Can't wait for the rest. You did it again. Looking for NY dates.

Stephen: Flying from Kansas City to England to attend the first six October shows (bit of a schlep, that). Oxford, Southampton shows don't appear to be available online as yet. Don't know about that stuff. Will get Trudi to check it out.

Richard Usher: Hi Richie! We fly from Paris on the day of the Glasgow gig. The traveling is really tight. I'm sure we'll see you. Trudi says hi. 'Which mag would you read first, a guitar one or a keyboard one? Toss up.

Bill: The Canyon Club in Las Vegas.

Pete Andrews: No plans for Brussels (I was born in Oswestry).

Jacob Huffman is 12. He likes me and BB King. He's coming to some West Coast dates and wants a picture with me. Well, if you see me hanging around, Jacob just come up and we'll see what we can do.

Jeff: Congrats. What's the matter with you people! Give it a rest.

Eric Hemphill: I never get into serious debates about the origins of punk; too busy.

Wayne Hall just preordered and downloaded bonus tracks. Great stuff. Looking forward to release date.

Karen: 'Just listened to 'Big Mouth' - so good! Went straight to web site to pre-order. Big thanks to Mal who got me into IH in the first place. Long way to go, but steady recovery.' C'mon Mal!!

Joan McHugh: There's West Coast gigs in June (Joan's a tax preparer).

Keith Nickless: 'Classic Rock have done a feature on 100 best guitarists - Bender no. 95 - no Ronson, Ralphs, York etc.' Whose poll was it? Fans? Critics? Doesn't make sense to me. Keith says 'One of the Boys' was on 'Life on Mars'. We have seen the first season on BBC America, but are awaiting the second season. Does anyone watch BBC America over here? 90% of the programming is bloody awful and the way it's programmed is sad - to say nothing of the ads. Wish I could run it. Thank God for Tivo!

Kenny Mac: 'Do 'Resurrection Mary' at Tuts.' You never know.

Mike Constanzo: 'Roll Away The Stone' was written during the recording of the 'Mott' album and could have been on the 'Mott' album, but it was decided to hold it for 'The Hoople' (which was a good idea). I think it came at rehearsals which were held somewhere down by the Kings Road. Can't remember much else. It works at a slow speed too. Always a good sign.

Bryan/San Diego: 'Do some 'YUI Orta' in San Juan; recent West Cost shows awesome!!'

Willie: Probably won't record this lot. No plans for covers. Hey - once they're out there - anybody can do them - I have no say. Public domain and all that. As long as I'm credited that's it.

Steve K. says 'Roll Away the Stone' is being promoted with TV ads for 'Life on Mars' soundtrack album. Didn't know that. Nice one, Steve.

Fred: Loved 2005 gig at the Key Club. Any chance of a MTH DVD compilation? Sony says the BBC are asking too much for footage and it's an ongoing thing.

Steve Jeal likes 'Big Mouth' and ordered the CD. He's going to Brighton regardless of age. 'What advice would you give me to point my son's band (Pure Insanity) within the industry with straight and honest direction tips on where and where not to go and the correct way forward.' Well, I haven't lived in England in a while so I don't exactly know where and what you do there. All I can tell you is believe in what you do and stay optimistic. The business is in dire straights and massive changes are taking place. I think the future lies mainly with the live aspect rather than the recording. Everything (merch, CDs etc) will be based around live performance so work on that. Try to avoid scumbags with dirty little contracts that have you for life. Stay tight. It's you against the world.

Zach Kleinheksel: 'Any more plans for the U.S. this year?' Working on it.

Bart: 'I love the song 'Words' - CLASSIC HUNTER - you never let me down. Why not 'Dirty Laundry'? I am aware of 'Dirty Laundry' not being featured as of yet and I'll try and get a song in at some point.

Glen Macleod: 'Saw you in Anaheim - took my 12-year-old daughter. Brilliant! New stuff, wonderful - you're in good voice - God bless Andy York. You are great together. Best of luck with SH!' Lovely.

Jim Stotts says pretty good footage on 'YouTube' of me and Ronno on 'YUI Orta' 1989 tour.

Bruce Stein: 'Just listened to 'Words' and immediately purchased SH through Yep Roc. Definitely one of your best tracks ever. Come to Michigan. ('Words' was written in Wrexham at a sound check by the way). 'What's your favourite beer or cocktail?' I'm into mid-range champers like, Cliquot. That's all the old tummy likes.

Terrance: Do you have your 'H' shaped guitar? Pete Watts says I smashed the first one. The second one (made by Tokai) is in the R+R Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Bucks Burnett: 'OK - preordered SH thru Yep Roc and Townsend. They've both been great about sending out info. Labels that actually promote their artists - extraordinary!' Good luck with he other stuff.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...