HUGH CORNWELL - INTERVIEWS

You are heading out on a short UK tour in November. What sort of show can we expect?

"This will be as a 3 piece with Steve and Windsor, and a follow up to the Middle East shows we did in May. There'll be a big accent on Stranglers songs."

I understand you will be playing a very different set to recent tours - can you tell us some of the songs that you are considering for these shows, any potential surprises?

"I've recently been trying to rearrange some of the old songs, partly as a challenge but also to maintain my interest in them as a performer. I've recently played longer versions of Spain and Walk On By and will be expanding Feel Like A Wog on this tour, as well as a few surprises, like Tank for instance! I also hope to resurrect the longer Torture Garden too."

Do you anticipate playing any of the songs from the new album with the band on this tour?

"This album has in essence a very acoustic feel to it, but one song Under Her Spell has real potential as an electric feast, so we may try that out in November."

You seem to enjoy playing live as a 3-piece now. Does this put a lot more pressure on you, and will you be using any effects to enhance the songs on this tour?

"There is definitely more pressure on me nowadays, but that seems to be bringing something out which deserves to be seen. I think my playing is improving gradually, and I intend to be using a few effects on this tour."

Will the whole show be electric?

"Maybe not. I could see myself playing some of the new songs at some stage on acoustic."

You have ditched the name Sumyunguise and gone with Hugh Cornwell's Three Piece Sweet. Why was this and does it have any bearing on the album?

"Sumyunguise was useful because it was able to describe the changing nature of the 4 piece line up which was occurring, with a bit of humour. Now that Windsor and Steve are becoming more recognisable in the line up I thought it was time to mark that with a change of name."

I know the songs are written for the new album, but how far down the line will you be with the arrangements prior to recording? Have you just played them acoustically, or do you have a good idea, prior to recording, of how you want them to sound?

"Tony and I discussed the songs when we met in NYC in May and he was pretty happy with the general arrangements of the songs at the time. Since then I've been making changes as the bass and drums have been bolted on and we'll go to New Orleans with those arrangements in place but once we get together with Danny Kadar, who will be producing the track recording, I'm sure changes will be made."

Is the preparation for this album different - presumably when you've recorded in the UK for the previous albums, there has been plenty of preparatory work done in Soundlab, but as you are recording in the US, do you have to spend a great deal of time rehearsing and working things out with Steve & Windsor, prior to the recording sessions?

"The preparation has been different from the two previous albums - which were recorded with Laurie Latham in the UK. There was less of a deadline then, the sessions were more or less open ended, so things were less defined when the sessions started. But I can also say that my idea of what this album will be like when we finish is much clearer than before."

What sort of album can we expect? At this stage in the preparation of a new album, do you have a clear idea of the direction you want to head in?

"The songs for this album have been well played by myself over the past year or so in front of audiences, in fact, 24/7 I was playing when I was promoting the Song By Song tour. So I think the arrangements have been very much dictated by the nature of each song. I always wanted to try an acoustic feel album, very much in the vein of Dylan's John Wesley Harding, so that's been in my mind whilst writing."

You've previewed quite a few of your new songs live on recent tours, such as 24/7, Cadiz, Beauty On The Beach, etc. What other songs are you considering for the new album?

"There are 11 songs scheduled to be recorded, two of which I wrote earlier this year. Which ones end up on the album depend upon how they go down in the studio."

What made you decide to use Tony Visconti for this new album?

"I wanted to record the next album in America, and Tony and I have been in touch over the years since he worked on La Folie, Feline and Strange Little Girl for The Stranglers. The quality of his work has never been doubted and its good to see Bowie back working with him these days."

I understand you performed most of the songs that will make up the new album to Tony Visconti acoustically when you met to discuss the new album. Was this the first time you had met since the Feline sessions?

"Tony and I have been bumping into each other in London ever since he sold his studio in London and moved to NYC."

You are splitting the sessions for the new album - starting in New Orleans and finishing up in NYC. How much of an influence on an album can the location have?

"Originally Tony was due to produce the album, all in NYC, but when the opportunity to lay down the tracks in New Orleans presented itself I thought the different location may be beneficial to the album, considering the acoustic feel that I wanted."

Tony Visconti is mixing the album, who else is involved?

"Danny Kadar will be producing the track laying process in New Orleans, and then Tony will mix in New York. Danny has just completed the recording and mixing of one of America's hottest live acts right now, My Morning Jacket, and BMG are thrilled with the outcome!"

Presumably you chose to mix down in NYC, as Tony's studio is there, but what attracted you to the studio in New Orleans? Having looked at the studio website the equipment list is very impressive.

"When Danny became involved in the project I thought it would make sense to work somewhere that he knew and felt comfortable in."

How do you plan to split the time between New Orleans & NYC?

"Once the basic tracks and overdubs are recorded, Steve and Windsor will return to the UK. I will then go to NYC to mix with Tony."

When do you think the album will be released?

"Probably next March or April."

Do you plan to support the release with a tour with the band in the US?

"It is possible the album may be supported in the US with touring before Europe, then the UK."

Following the success of Song By Song, are you still planning to write your autobiography?

"I am in negotiations with several major publishers at the moment."