Rock music is the province of the young, and it should be made by young people. I'm not running around in a pair of spandex tights trying to reclaim my youth.

Most people wait for the muse to turn up. That's terribly unreliable. I have to sit down and pursue the muse by attempting to work.

I see it as my duty in some way is to be out in the world as an Australian putting forward what I consider to be authentic Australian music.

I consider myself to be first and foremost a comic writer. The way I entertain myself - especially in those long and grim hours in the office - is to write stuff I find funny.

My muse is my wife. It's not some vague thing that flutters around the astrosphere or wherever it is. Sometimes as a songwriter you need something to hang a song on, to give it some kind of presence and form. For me, Susie is that.

To my undying shame, I do read reviews. I don't read them all, but I like to get some kind of idea how things are going.

No wonder sorrow doesn’t smile much. No wonder sadness is so sad.