Margaret Mumford asks about the process of composition: Do the tunes come first or the lyrics or both together?
It varies, usually for me, the tune comes first or both together. I think that's how the others work too. The keyboard parts usually evolve as the song takes shape.

Uli Schmid says he likes "Beauty of the Beast" and will there be more like this to come?
All I can say is glad you like it and it all depends on that illusive thing: inspiration.

Al Fiendish asks about our interest in Hammond organs and what old Damned songs I would like to play live?
Me and Captain have, I think, the kind of brains that become instantly soaked with pleasure producing neurotransmitters when we hear a Hammond. We recently had a treat in Scotland when supported by Huckleberry who have a real Hammond player. Unfortunately Hammonds are very big and cumbersome and we would need to afford loads of huge roadies to hump one around.

I always fancied doing "I Believe the Impossible" live but it never happened.

Mark Bannister (who else!) asks "Sylvia or Hokus Pokus?"
I like both these songs; I would like to hear Captain play 'Sylvia'. I also like an obscure Dutch prog band called Ekseption, whose keyboard player Rik Van De Linden formed Trace before, as far as I know, disappearing without one.

Michael Barnes sez "Britney Spears or Christina Iguana-malaria?"
All I can say is long live Kate Bush! She is working on a new album.

Ges suggests an anti beer barrier for the keyboard. (At some Damned gigs unsavoury members of the audience have been known to throw beer on stage - Orbit).
We have considered this already; this problem only occurs in the good old UK sadly.

James from Canada asks about my interest in jazz and it's compatibility with the Damned.
What we do share with jazz is improvisation or "jamming" which takes place in some of the songs live. This ensures that each gig is different rather than a carbon copy of the album like so many bands do these days. Improvisation is, I believe, the lifeblood of music. Even the great classical composers were also great improvisers and got their ideas for compositions from there.

Jazz is a whole world of musical styles worth exploring. I once attended a piano workshop run by Keith Tippett who is dedicated to free improvisation. I like to think there is a bit of Cecil Taylor in my live performances also! Welcome to jazz club, NICE!

Nursing related questions

Steve Lester asks if I still practice nursing?
I work in a nursing home for the elderly mentally ill, mostly Alzheimer's disease. I meet some good hard working down to earth folk there who help keep my head in the real world!

Anita asks if they know about the band and does our training feature general nursing?
Yes they do and they are surprised because I am very placid at work; a split personality can have its uses! Regarding general nursing: only 12 weeks on a medical ward. I think it's all changed now. I have to study for to maintain my registration so I'm studying anatomy and physiology for this.

Phanny Tasmagoria asks if psychiatric nursing is ever rewarding and in what way?
Well I used to enjoy the aspect of communicating with people who most people could not understand. Nowadays I just like getting things done. Nursing is always meaningful in that you are aiming to preserve, maintain and, if you can, improve people's lives. I miss nursing if I don't do it for a long period. It has taught me how to live, but I'm still learning!

Must Dang Sally asks if I could go back in time and change anything what would it be.?
Aha! I've always been a DR. Who fan, however I don't think I would try this as you would need precise knowledge of how everything in the universe would be effected by any changes made: near omniscience. Douglas Adams described a creature that could change the past in his last "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" book: the result was that the fabric of existence began to unravel! "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"; it would be tempting indeed to edit out the time when Thatcher came to power etc., but who knows what might happen instead…?

Ken Ottman asks how I wipe my arse?
Don't get dementia or I might have to wipe yours!

Thanks to all the folks who sent in questions and to Monty himself for taking the time during his busy schedule (moving, planning for Zombie Tour etc.) to answer the Q's for the web site.