Recently, Ian sat down at his trusty keyboard and knocked out what we'd like to think of as a sort of online interview. I'd like to thank Ian for taking the time to answer all these questions. We know you're busy cranking away at the ol' music. Thanks for that as well! Thanks also to all the fans who contributed questions here. Cheers, Carl

McNabbhead: Could you describe in a few words the 'feel' of the new album?

Ian McNabb: Powerpop. Happy. Anthemic. Funny. Exciting. Moving.

McNabbhead: What can you tell us about the band on the new tracks?

Ian McNabb: Geoff Dugmore on drums, backing vocals, keyboards, percussion. Roy Corkill on bass, backing vocals, some rhythm guitar, digital editing. There's a French horn player and a pedal steel player whose names escape me for the moment. Yours truly on the rest.

McNabbhead: When is the tour and will it be with a band?

Ian McNabb: The tour will happen when the album is released. It will be with a band.

McNabbhead: Do you have a deal or will the next LP be D.I.Y.?

Ian McNabb: I do not have a record deal at the moment. We're working on it.

[Note: Ian recently remarked that a deal has for most purposes been closed with Sanctuary Records, the label that currently releases Pete Wylie.]

McNabbhead: How does the economics of your situation work? How do you keep the wolf from the door?

Ian McNabb: Keep buying the stuff and I'll be OK. Not enough of you are buying the live album. If you're worried about me keeping going, you have to order a copy if you haven't done so yet. Please.

McNabbhead: What do you think of the new Pete Wylie album?

Ian McNabb: It's the best thing he has done. Pete is a very close friend of mine. I left a party a couple of days ago at ten-thirty in the morning. Pete was still holding court. He's going to live forever.

McNabbhead: Have you met Neil Young? Tell us the story...

Ian McNabb: The Icicle Works met Neil after a show in Birmingham, England in 1987. He was very nice and friendly. I met him again after a Dublin show in 1996 where he was less friendly but introduced me to his dad, Scott, who was very nice to me. Neil was never happy about Crazy Horse playing with me.

McNabbhead: Do you still keep in touch with Crazy Horse?

Ian McNabb: Less and less these days. I sent Ralph a Christmas card last year but i Never got one back. He loved The Emotional Party.

McNabbhead: What happened when you met Crazy Horse again at the Phoenix festival... did they remember you? (joke!)

Ian McNabb: I did an in store at Tower Records in Piccadilly the day before the Phoenix. Both Billy and Ralph came down. I watched Neil's set at the Phoenix from side stage behind the monitor board. Jason from Spiritualized and Paul McCartney did the same. I know all the stars.

McNabbhead: Did you ever get round to the Video Compilation?

Ian McNabb: No. I hate looking backwards. It'll happen one day.

McNabbhead: Any chance of a kiss and make up with the two Chris's?

Ian McNabb: I speak to the two Chris's whenever I see them which is practically never. Chris Sharrock is doing very well playing in Robbie William's band. I saw him on millennium eve - Chris Layhe lives in Stockport, and I believe is teaching. I wish them well, they were my friends for a time but now we have nothing in common apart from the past. Actually, Chris Layhe and I were never friends, truth be told.

I wouldn't see any point in an Icicle Works reunion, we were never that big anyway. It might happen on a one-off occasion for a laugh one day - that'd be nice. But I don't see us ever making another record or touring.

McNabbhead: Why did you split from Geoff Muir?

Ian McNabb: I felt he'd done as much for me as he could. It was time to move on. He reminded me of the old days too much. I still speak to him occasionally.

McNabbhead: Will you collaborate with Mike Scott again?

Ian McNabb: I never collaborated with him. I played bass in his band for a couple of Months, and he returned the favour by playing some guitar and singing on APPOBOTEP.

He's a strange chap, but very talented and brainy.

McNabbhead: What you think of David Gray's success, particularly since he acted as support for you on a tour a while back. And what does it say about the possibility of you garnering some of the success that you deserve?

Ian McNabb: I'm pleased at David Gray's success. Although I'm not a big fan of his music, it proves that people are receptive to singer/songwriters in the pop charts if they are given a chance to hear them. When David toured with me, he was very moody and didn't smile a lot. Now when I see him on telly he never stops smiling. I guess money does bring happiness... I don't think his success will make things any easier for me. My new music is not acoustic-based. I am not afraid of the electric guitar. I am its master for all eternity.

McNabbhead: Where does he hope the music industry (fashion industry?) will move to when the current dancing children have had there day... and where does he fear it may move to.

Ian McNabb: It's all right having the Mickey Mouse Club on telly - but it doesn't mean you have to exclude everybody else. There should be room for everybody. I think the Internet is the way forward for people in my position. This isn't ideal - just necessary. I didn't really get into this lark to be a virtual rock star...

McNabbhead: I have an idea from somewhere that you have a guitar (white Stratocaster?) with the faded outline of a 'Peace Sign' on it. Any truth in this (and what's the story...why was it removed?)?

Ian McNabb: My Telecaster has the outline of a peace sign on it. I pulled it off one day when I felt punky again.

McNabbhead: Do you think that the use of err... exotic substances... enhances the songwriters ability to create?

Ian McNabb: If you mean drugs, I'd have to say no. You can't create when you're high - you don't have your natural perceptive powers working properly. It's fine to listen back to it stoned though - even preferable.

McNabbhead: Besides Birth, what are you listening to these days?

Ian McNabb: Stevie Wonder, Oasis, Pink Floyd, Elton John (who I went to see in Liverpool recently and was amazing), Phoenix, Air, me.

McNabbhead: What do you do from day to day? How do you spend your time?

Ian McNabb: Sleeping, looking for lighters, riding my mountain bike, watching crap telly, listening to music. Daydreaming.

McNabbhead: What is your favourite McNabb/Icicles song and why?

Ian McNabb: I don't really have any favourites, but I think the best Icicles song is 'When It All Comes Down' - the best McNabb song is probably 'Camaraderie.'

'When it all...' was the first song I wrote that actually meant something, and 'Camaraderie' has just got a beautiful sentiment to it. I think APPBOBOTEP is the best album I've made so far.

McNabbhead: There's always been a bit of discussion over the 'Liverpool Girl' lyrics, e.g. "She likes her crisps..." What's your answer to those who accuse the song of being sexist?

Ian McNabb: I write from experience. It's meant to be an update on the old folk song 'Maggie May.' I defy anybody who has spent time in Liverpool to disagree with the lyrics to the song. It's spot on. Not every girl born in Liverpool is like the character in the song, but no generalisation ever applied to everybody. It's obviously meant to get a laugh - if it doesn't, well it's your loss not mine. I've never written any song to please anybody other than myself - and what's wrong with being sexy?

McNabbhead: If you could have dinner with any 3 people (dead or alive), who would they be and why?

Ian McNabb: Neil Young for his strength and wisdom in the art of music. Any of the Apollo astronauts who walked on the moon for their side of the story. Meg Ryan for her beauty, talent and personality.

McNabbhead: Do you still feel as funky and free as ever?

Ian McNabb: Aw, it depends which day you get me on. Sometimes I feel trapped by the industry I choose to work in. Other days I feel like a goddamn force of nature. I'm more funky than free.

McNabbhead: You often mention the 70's in your live shows, e.g "Top of the Pops," T Rex, and Mott the Hoople. Is it tongue in cheek, or does he have fond memories of those times and the music, if so, which bands/songs.

Ian McNabb: I mention the 70's in the live version of 'Fever' because it is the time I became musically aware. I have no nostalgia for the time, although I do think it was an amazing time for music - certainly as important as the sixties, if not more. The music I like from that decade is too numerous to mention - Neil Young's work was unbelievable.

McNabbhead: If you had been a little older in the 60s, do you think you have been a mod or a rocker? A mocker?

Ian McNabb: I don't know what I am now, so God help me if I would've been a teenager in the sixties. As it is, I was happy playing with my Action Man.

McNabbhead: Are you the kind of guy who sees a glass as half-empty or as half-full? Or are you like me, and you think, 'hey, it's about time for another lager!'

Ian McNabb: I'm mostly a very positive optimistic person. These days I only drink a couple of beers, and I'm satisfied. It's beautiful thing.

McNabbhead: Has he got a favorite (preferably funny) story about meeting one of us punters?

Ian McNabb: Not really. No.

McNabbhead: What are your plans for world domination?

Ian McNabb: Same as they've ever been. I want to make records and tour the world. It's the hardest thing to get other people to believe in you the way you believe in yourself. It's not impossible, but it's close.

McNabbhead: I don't know if you remember, but I sold my wife to you after a gig in The Witchwood, Ashton-Under-Lyne in 1999. When are you coming to collect her?

Ian McNabb: Wednesday. Is she still fresh?