How would you describe Birkenhead and The Wirral to anyone who has never been?

Wirral, it is sometimes said, is a microcosm of England in that if one were to undertake a perambulation of it they could reasonably expect to witness both ends of the social spectrum within a relatively short space of time. Certainly, we have the lot here....Deplorable Housing, Bad Sanitation, Outstanding Heaths, Ancient Hedgerows, Violent Crime, Picture Postcard Villages, Heavy Industry,Light Entertainment,Sea Views, SSI's, the most under-rated Art Gallery in the country (Lady Lever) A Scarecrow Festival, Historic Park (see Violent Crime)an Offshore Island, Dickheads on Trail Bikes and a Giant Grasshopper which isn't nearly as interesting as it sounds.
Well worth a visit I'd say.

Do you feel growing up in Birkenhead shaped who you are as a songwriter in any way?

Difficult one that. I don't particularly see any reason why I wouldn't have written the songs I have done had I been brought up in say, Cirencester for let's be honest, they're not exactly earth shattering affairs and I imagine that what I do is not beyond the means of your average farm labourer who has the simple ability to sling a few rhymes together whilst attending to the herd.

Where have been (past and present) the most inspiring places and people in Birkenhead?

Inspiring places in Birkenhead?-Central Library on Borough Rooad for a start...ESWA Club on Park Road South also as this is where Sandy Irvine grew up ( he of Everest fame) and if you ever take a stroll along Slatey Road you might like to notice St John's Vicarage where the Mallory family once lived-George of course being the other casualty in that tragedy of the Himalaya-(note Himalaya NOT Himalayas-a right bugbear that!)

Wilfred Owen as well obviously, and although yes, some might argue that he was really of Shropshire stock, let it not be forgotten that he was educated at Birkenhead and it was that education which ultimately leads us to remembering him.

Are there any things or anyone who make you ashamed to come from Birkenhead?

Can't say there is no. You get pricks who drop litter and drive badly everywhere so I wouldn't attach any special shame to our town for that.

Do you think there is a distinctive attitude that bands from Birkenhead have?

Haven't got a clue!-never really known many bands to be honest-I sort of stumbled into the world of music despite myself so I've never ventured to seek out the rules of etiquette regarding such things as 'attitude'.

Do you feel living close to Liverpool is a problem or a benefit?
As far as being in a band is concerned it's certainly never been a problem for us -as regards generally, absolutely beneficial, for the fact remains that in spite of the continual brickbats hurled by certain idiots from the Home Counties (posing as the Universe once again) the City of Liverpool is a posing as the Universe once again) the City of Liverpool is a magnificent place to be, not least for it's History, it's Architecture and it's Field and Trek on Bold Street.

How do you feel about the last album, it seems more reflective and less angry?

I'd not really noticed that but you could have a point there....thing is,our 'albums' as such are not really specific bodies of work created as a whole within a definite timescale of emotion....rather more like a load of throwaway tunes interspersed with some desperate caterwauling that we happen to have available at the time. Not that I'd wish to shatter anyone's illusions mind....

How do you feel your targets have changed over the years?
I don't seek targets so much as they themselves sort of come 'knocking at my door' whereby some form of lambast duly manifests itself.

Are you surprised at the way people relate to the songs?
I suppose it confirms in some small way, that I'm not alone in complaining about such hitherto perceived trifles as the price of a cup of tea at Stapeley Water Gardens and therefore not completely wasting my life.

Do you see any legacy from HMHB in music or any other area?
Well we never really get name checked I don't think! -I imagine it would appear slightly uncool to cite a gang of 'scouse novelty punkers' as any sort of influence when you're conducting your interview with the heavyweights of the music press.

How many of the letters on the sleeve of Achtung Bono are real and are the oven gloves real?
The letters are all genuine yes. The only ones I didn't write are the three which counter-attack Charles Exford though I did submit one in that vein which als, wasn't published. Conducting a tirade against 'myself' in the local freesheet would have satisfied me immensely.
The Oven GLoves on the back of the album I created by going in the first instance to Wilkinson's and then to the printer's in the market armed with the sleeve to Unknown Pleasures. Nice lady. Efficient.
The other pair were presented at a concert in Penzance.....more are appearing in our audience which I find wholly amusing and very much 'Spirit of 77'!

How close is "What is Chatteris" to being a straightforward love song?
Sorry to be somewhat cold here but it's simply one of those songs where I have the title first and everything else is just lobbed in around it. I've never even driven through the place so the one-way system could in fact be rubbish.
Having said that we did make the front page headlines of the Cambridgeshire Times regarding the blighter. 'Notification of Arrival as Band' thought I.

What do you believe has been your greatest achievement as a songwirter and have you ever changed your mind about anyone you've written about?
I'm tempted to suggest that last affair was my greatest achievement as a songwriter but I suppose the tedious answer to this question must be that the thrill of hearing one's song being played on the radio never wanes.
Changed my mind about a few things probably....no need for that Hattie Jacques slur that's for sure and I do wince at that line about Marilyn Monroe on our first album (I was only a kid but it's still shite).
And y'know, when you think about it, Styx aren't so bad after all. I'm joking of course.

And a few words about the greatest person ever to come from the Wirral, John Peel

I know a load of groups say this (mainly because it's true) but in our case we really wouldn't be where we are if he hadn't have played our record back in 1985. Simply cannot praise the man highly enough in my eyes...I'd still hold this opinion if he'd never played our records I'm certain. He shaped whole record collections and his written word was spectacularly good and possibly overlooked.
They played 'Goin' Down Slow' by Howlin' Wolf at his funeral and it instigated the most incredibly powerful atmosphere I have ever experienced.
Without him, Life seems less sweet, Death less bitter.