Dead Fingers Talk was a novel by a favourite writer of mine, the late William Burroughs. Such Perfect Liars was Jim's baby (SPL Lead Guitarist Jim Underhill) and already a great band, before I joined. I just made it that bit greater. All they really needed was someone to 'gel' with Jim, and put a bit of new blood in the band. The chemistry between Jim and I was (and is) perfect.

I am almost permanently out on the road at the moment, doing 5 shows in under 48 hours last week. I said I wouldn't go knocking myself out again, but I've had a fairly long lay-off while at the pub, so I don't mind. I love playing live - always did, and the sound of applause is still as sweet after all these years, as it was in the beginning. I am, essentially a 'live' artist, I don't feel comfortable in a studio setting. Give me the smell of the crowd, and the roar of the greasepaint any day.

The internet means any band can put their music across to their audience, which is great, and means bans can remain true to themselves, keeping their integrity, rather than change style or attitude just to get a deal. I'd rather die poor and remain true to myself, than play "I love you baby" songs, just to be commercial, or land a major deal. Artistic Integrity is key to me!

Yes, I'd go with a major as they have the clout to get the music in shops in even the smallest towns. Everyone should have access to what they want to hear. As long as I had creative control. I don't much care about money (there's a song there somewhere!) but I would like to be heard again, especially as both my take on life, and my writing style, have changed so much as I have gotten older. I would insist in 'total artistic control' as I'm firmly in the 'old dog, new tricks' camp. If I could do things my way I'd go with a Major, depite my earlier misgivings about them not really caring whats best for the group. As long as I wasn't expected to change, or write 'to order' I'd go with it.

I've been in 'the business' since I was a child. Playing drums, then singing in a variety of punk/new wave/rock bands, before teaming with the Bale brothers for the Dead Fingers Talk period. When DFT folded, I was poached by Such Perfect Liars, and the rest, as they say - is history! My bands have played and/or hung out with Slade, Alvin Stardust, Hawkwind, Pasedenas, Echo & the Bunnymen,The Icicle Works, The Mission/Sisters of Mercy, New Model Army, Fuzzbox. Now working on new material. I currently have around 70 new songs, but getting to record them is a different matter now I am so busy playing live again. I have to say, although I was worried I was losing the 'angry young man' as I get older, I am writing the best stuff I have ever done. Exciting times ahead!

Influences are many and varied. Everything from Heavy Rock, to Country, classical, and I adore reggae. From the Angelic Upstarts to ZZ Top, there's something in it all for my ears. I admire a man like Paul Weller, who I have a lot of time for. I like a guy (or girl) who walks the walk, and isn't afraid to rock a few boats! I love The Fall above any other band ever, but I wouldn't dare let myself be influenced by Mark E. Smith. Haha!

I love coastal Britain. Anywhere, no matter what the weather, or time of year. I write best when I'm near the ocean. Even if that ocean is a shitty colour. When the waves stop moving, I stop writing.

Peavey power amps, with Peavey cabs. Stageline mixer and Gemini CD players. SM58 mics. Crafter Eq-FX550 accoustic (nice), cheapo Fender strat, Fender Squire (Affinity model strat) Encore Dreadnaught accoustic, the 'Columbus' (SG) Jim gave to me, a Yamaha Jumbo accoustic, Yamaha EG112,an old unbranded nylon strung guitar (nice tone) plus a 5-string banjo (Jim again) I'm just learning on it.If a guitar 'feels right' then THAT si the one for YOU. Do NOT go laying out maga bucks for groovy kit. Find what suits your hand, NOT what looks cool! KORG AX-1500G Effects pedal board.Zoom unit pedal (vocals through it at moment, works fine as vocal unit) Recording into 'Adobe Audition'. No Gimmicks, just right onto hard disk.

I'm a very 'Organic' type when it comes to recording. I may start off with a clear idea, then change to banging a biscuit tin on the track (Mr Suicide/Hey Judas) for a bongo sound. I normally don't labour over a track, if its not happening for me, I move on to other things. I keep hearing of my peers 'polishing' tracks. Hell, I don't clean the car, so I'm not gonna sit polishing tracks. People can hear what you are getting at, without polishing them to sound something they aren't. Besides, I'd never do anything in the studio, that I could not reproduce live. When I hear someone has put 15 guitars on a record, then they go out live, and its nothing like the record, I always feel cheated. The band and me went to see 'Talk Talk' some years back, and they did everything that was on the record, right down to the little bell ringing. That made up my mind for life!