...was the 'huge' singer in Hackensack, right? I was familiar with him from an album he did with Big Jim Sullivan in the band called Tiger and later, NWOBHM act Samson.

I agree, though, that musicians should make some effort to communicate with the ground.

yes, absolutely spot on, which made it all the more funny, for some reason. I remember that Ten Years After playing Guildford Civic Hall in the very early 70's was the biggest gig I could ever remember. Sold out in a flash, waited with baited breath, etc. There was a bomb scare beforehand, so it was really late by the time they trooped out on stage. Much whooping and a hollering, and Alvin Lee rubs his hands, leans into the mic and says "What kind of shit-hole is this? There's no sink in the dressing room, and I've got chocolate on my fingers" The atmosphere was sucked out of the room like a deflating balloon. Wanker!

at the November gig in Dublin, Neil Finn said "God, the last time i was here, my Mum was in the audience with my cousin who's a Jesuit priest, and Paul Hester told the filthiest joke i'd heard in an age..."

Cue the audience en masse seeking that it be told again...

'Aussie Bruce says to Aussie Shiela "Fancy a fuck?"

'Aussie Sheila says to Aussie Bruce "I do now, you smooth talkin' bastard'"

Brought the house down. Could have only been topped by them doing Nails in my Feet...

In our fleapit flat in Wembley we had a tape of Eagles Greatest Hits which regularly got an airing because as we all said "everybody loves The Eagles".

The more I hear lately about this money grabbing nasty crew the more I think they're a bunch of supreme cu*ts.

And thats the truth.

Rick wotsisname, after performing Speakeasy on their (first) farewell tour a few years back muttered almost inaudibly as the final chord was still fading away, "They didn't even give us a free fucking phone".

The Broken Family Band are brilliant at it. My favourite was Steve Adams walking out onto the main stage at the Cambridge Folk Festival at about midday to a half empty tent and shouting, 'Helloooooooo Weemmmmmbleeeeeeeeeee!" at the top of his voice.

There are occaosions though when you want them to shut up and play. Robyn Hitchcock for example.

Didn't DH write a column about this a yonk ago - about acts communicating with the audience? I couldn't agree more. Really annoys me when performers can't be arsed to say anything - rightly or wrongly it makes you think they can't be arsed about the rest of the gig - and in some cases that is probably the situation.

I won't mention the divine folk rock icon, but it is generally the case that folkies are good at this sort of thing as they are frequently retuning, moving capos about etc. and need to do something to keep the audience amused. Reminds me of seeing Michael Chapman on the Whistle Test - after his first number he announced "the hot pies are now available at the back".

There is always a raffle at folk clubs, and there is always a choice of prizes between wine, a food hamper and free tickets for next time. Which is always the last to go. Funny, that.....

... playing with Monaco at Exeter University supporting The Charlatans circa Telling Stories: "Good evening. We're Monaco, you're a bunch of student c***s." Which you can't argue with really.

The Bluetones live always give good value. A real sense of community, which you don't often get in the world of indie schmindie these days.

I met Van Morrison in a lift and he was very friendly, must have been in a good mood that day too!

At a Boo Hewerdine gig at Colchester Folk Club, Mrs Skirky once won a melon. Best onstage banter? "We once had a review that said we sounded like a bag of spanners being thrown a a child's climbing frame. By a child. See what you think".

..to hear The Eagles talking?
I fucking don't.

...too popular around these parts, but Jools Holland's on-stage chat was an essential component of the live Squeeze experience.

Pete Townsend on the extended Live at Leeds album - trying to explain 'A Quick One'. For about 17 minutes

I've seen him 3 times and have yet to hear him utter a single word between songs. Or even a goodnight at the end.

The silences were pretty long too while Neil Young wandered about during his acoustic set last month.

On the other hand, I'd rather have silence than hear well rehearsed bon mots. I saw Macca twice on his last tour and even what at first appeared to be ad libs were the same at both gigs.

Likewise, saw the Waterboys twice on the last tour and Mike Scott told the same unfunny story about some bloke handing him a note before the gig. Really, Mike? At both venues?

but I've seen Rush a few times, and the Geddy Lee banter is exactly the same on the DVD which was recorded at different venues from the gigs I attended. He ALWAYS says before the interval: "We're taking a break to get some brain surgery."
I have a Misfits live album where Glenn Danzig says to an audience member: "Do that again, asshole, and I'll come down there and break your neck."
And I was at Motorhead once when Lemmy called someone in the crowd 'a glass-throwing fucking c**t'

and AC/DC are on their first UK tour. They call in at sleepy Exeter University, and set about delivering an utterly blistering set. Half way through the gig, during a brief lull in the sonic devastation, a berk lobs a plastic pint bouncing onto the stage from somewhere dark and invisible at the back of the hall. Mr Young, en-shorted and packing a full satchel, shuffles to the mic at the front of stage. "If any of you f*cking c*nts have anything to say to us, come backstage after the show and we'll f*cking sort you out. Until then, stop f*cking being c*nts". Stunned silence for half a second. Loud enthusiastic applause. Richter scale SG riffage as "Whole Lotta Rosie" kicks off. Outstanding. You tell 'em Angus!