When they come here, the English make a choice: New York or L.A. L.A. suited me better, I just feel comfortable here.

I've never been able to sit round on my own and play drums, practice in the back room, never been able to. I've always played with other musicians. It's how I play, there's no joy for me in playing on my own, bashing away. I need a bass, a piano, guitar, whatever, and then I can play.

I never studied anything, really. I didn't study the drums. I joined bands and made all the mistakes onstage.

You either kiss the future or the past goodbye.

I mean, I was born the day war broke out, but I don't remember all the bombs though they did actually break up Liverpool, you know. I remember when I was a little older, there was big gaps in all the streets where houses used to be. We used to play over them.

When they come here, the English make a choice: New York or L.A. L.A. suited me better, I just feel comfortable here.

We [the band] had this open door policy - if you walked in the door, you were asked to play