Tell us about your tour vehicle.
For the upcoming tour we’re using a 15 seater van that I haven’t seen but apparently has about 350k miles on the clock! I first toured in a van two years ago and was very apprehensive about it having always been in buses before. But I have now done two van tours of the US and am about to start a third and I much prefer it to a bus. Having a bed that is actually “on the floor” and not swaying down the highway and a toilet that you can actually use “as a toilet” win the argument for me … not to mention the shower, the space and not having to change in a bloody corridor!! It basically changed the experience from “tour bubble” to “road trip”.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
Pretzels!
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
This is not my department except when it comes to paying! But as I never ever change strings on my guitars at home I am always flabbergasted that others want to and can be bothered … and the amount of skins, sticks and cymbals makes me think we should go a cappella next tour. But any excuse to get to a music store on tour seems to be grabbed with both hands by my lot.
Where do you rehearse?
These days our rehearsal space is used for what it’s intended for but back in the day it was more like a laboratory… more for chemical than musical experimentation.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
The first song I wrote was a chirpy little ditty called “Burn the Flag” which made Joy Division sound like a choir of happy angels. The “lyrics” comprised of the guttural groans of a depressed teenager attempting ritual disembowelment while simultaneously trying to look fabulous …
Describe your first gig.
My first gig was at a nearby boarding school in 1977 the where the kids took their pillows to sit on and during our cover of “Let’s Dance” (Ramones style of course) the 350 kids took it upon themselves to rip apart their pillows which ended in a snowstorm of white feathers and general mayhem … it’s been downhill ever since.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
I worked the day shift for a nightclub in the late 70’s London taking delivery of vegetables and booze. Not nearly as depressing as you think …
How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?
The income of is now the würst case scenario …
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
It may last longer than you think.