Henry is currently in the middle of a spoken word tour across Britain. We took the opportunity to put your questions to him before his gig just over the county border at The Stables, Milton Keynes.

Q. Henry, aside from the cold, the rain, the fog that only lifts for it to rain some more, and the fact that we deep fry everything - is there anything special about the UK for you? (apart from your love of Morrisey of course) - Chris Lodge, Burton Latimer.

A. I think the UK is an amazing place and has been extremely good to me. Some of my favorite and most listened to bands are from England. I have met many good people there and have been in front of some of the most loyal audiences I have ever encountered.

Q. As a creative individual, but also as a publisher, what's your take on plagiarism today...there is inspiration, but there is also intellectual property; how do you make a distinction for yourself as an artist and as a publisher? Paris, Eastern Coast.

A. I reckon you should do your own thing and not lift. Inspiration is one thing, ripping something off is something else.

Q. I read Ayn Rand's Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, great books, very inspiring. I know Fountainhead is one of your favourite books too. What is your opinion on Ayn Rand's philosophy, objectivism? Ville Silventoinen, Cambridge.

A. I can't say I know much of her philosophy. I have one of her non-fiction books but have not checked it out. I thought that Fountainhead was a great read though.

Q. What was it like recording at Sun Studios in Memphis?  Did the vibe have a direct effect on the songs you recorded there? Eric Matsuda, San Jose, CA

A. Around two in the morning, it's really something. It's very quiet outside and you forget that it's open to the tourists during the day. It was truly something. I don't know much about "vibe" or whatever but it sure was cool being in there and playing music where all that great stuff went down.

Q. How do you rehearse for your spoken word shows?  Do you memorise the three hours of talk?  Do you have a kind of set list?  Watching someone engage in that lengthy a monologue is kind of a spectacle in itself, aside from how funny and insightful they tend to be.  How do you do it? Jeff Smith Peters.

A. I sometimes use a set list that consists of the basic idea, "Iraq: Sahaaf/Bush/Rums. and take it from there. I don't memorize anything really, it's just telling stories and telling your version of the truth. It's not exactly that easy but that's the basic idea.

Q. You are very well informed; what's your main source for news (newspapers, internet...)? Thanks. Lenora, San Diego.

A. I try to be well informed. I don't know how well I do all the time but I try nonetheless. I use the normal news channels, Wash. Post, NY Times, British Finanical Times, Harold Trib., CNN.com MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, stuff like that.

Q. If you were a crayon what colour would you be? Rick Haskins, US

A.The color of love Rick, the color of love.

Q. Henry - You often talk about books that have changed your life, and consequently, you've turned me on to Celine, Knut Hamsun, Bill Shields, Kobo Abe, Joan Didion, Henry Miller, etc. (thank you!) Read any good books lately? Courtney Pollard, Wichita, Kansas

A. Reading a book right now about the lives of Hemingway and Fitzgerald that details their lives and comparative literary careers. It's pretty sad stuff some of it. I'll be reading Bruccoli's version of the same study when I get back to LA next month.

Q. Can you please ask Hank if he feels he has got his dues for all the hard work he has put in? I mean , for 20 odd years he has given his all to the entertainment industry, but is still not got the respect of areas of the mainstream that put in less time and energy themselves, or other musical areas that dislike or consider his music mediocre, Bowling For Soup for example who include Rollins Band in the music they dislike. For the record, I am a big fan of almost everything Hank does, although I can't stand David Lynch so Lost Highway is not included there! Malcolm Brown, Burgess Hill

A. I don't think I am deserved anything. You do your thing and that's all there is. The idea that any performer type is owed anything is a joke to me. What anyone thinks of it is their business and their right. More power to Bowling For Soup.

Q. Which do you prefer doing: Presenting, acting, writing, spoken word or live music? Or is it a different kind of buzz you get from each one? Tom, Corby

A. I like to be working. Night to night, the music is the best.

Q. Is there anything left in the world of entertainment you'd like to have a go at or are you going to now stick to what you know? Phil, Hong Kong

A. I have no interest in exploring more aspects of the entertainment biz than the ones I am entangled in now.

Q. What do you think of the current punk explosion? Is it a genuine feeling and uprising of disgruntled youth, or just a marketing ploy by the major labels? Are there any new bands you're particularly fond of? Matt, Northampton

A. I really like some of the newer bands signed on Dischord like El Guapo, The Black Eyes and Q and Not U. I don't know what goes on with current marketing trends but I think there will always be young people wanting to hear music that represents where they're at. The record industry has definitely zeroed in on that target.

Q. I saw that you were in the Jackass movie. Were the Jackass crew really as nuts as they seem or did they act like snooty film stars retiring to their oversized trailers between takes to demand latte's from underpaid runners? Was filming as much fun as it looked? Jon, Wellingborough

A. The Jackass guys seemed very raw and not faking it at all. I didn't see a trailer out there when I was with them, just the truck and Steve-O's blood.

Q. Do you have a motto or a rule of life that you live by, or is life too important to be taken seriously? Emma, Bristol

A. My motto is never quit.

Q. What have you got planned after this spoken word tour? More music, TV, film, books? What have you got in the pipeline? Zoop, Edinburgh

A. We will be doing a lot of band dates over the summer, raising money for the West Memphis Three.

In Weekender