Of course, to a lot of people of a certain generation, it was the first and only time that they had heard of High Wycombe.
Howard: [laughs] That's where I lived during that time. Me and my wife Jan had an end-of-terrace house in the bad side of town! It was great for us. I used to keep my gear in the front room which was about 10 foot from the road. Each time I did a gig, my banana-coloured Escort van would pull up and block the traffic for as long as we were loading!

The synth act is in decline! Why do you think that's happened. Afterall, electronic music is as popular as ever?
Howard: I think it takes a different form if you think of people like BT. It's more rooted in the dance world these days. I always thought of myself as an artist who wrote songs and used synths. It wasn't like I used synths and stuck some songs on top. Most people who are involved in electronic music now go into the dance world.

Didn't you renounce synthesizers a few years back?
Howard: I've done every kind of manifestation of my music. I've done a big band with brass sections and string. Plus piano and percussion. Most recently has been purely synth again and the things I've just finished is all piano. It's whatever is getting me excited, really.

You do a lot for your fanbase. You create special CDs at live events, etc.
Howard: I've put out about an album a year. I have a very active website and I'm involved with lots of other people via my label. But I want to set aside time for my own work too.

Last year you performed on the 'Hear and Now' tour. Did it feel like selling out?
Howard: I thought it was great to be playing the big venues again. I hadn't done that for a while. I did it completely with my own setup so I felt that I wasn't compromising. I was really happy to do it. It was really good fun. The audiences loved it and I felt that it was the right thing to do. It wasn't selling out, just doing what you do on your own terms.

No rivalry between the acts. There was a very good feeling between people. As time goes by, we learn that there's no competition between people and we were just enjoying each other's company. I was with Martin Fry, Tony Hadley and the guys from China Crisis. We got on extremely well.

So what are you up to at the moment?
Howard: I sort of do sporadic gigs. I'm about to go to New York to do some acoustic shows for a friend who used to run a club there. Nena ['99 Red Balloons'] is doing a big tour of Germany at the end of March so I'm going to do some songs on stage with her - she's a great lady. Then I shall be working with the Sugababes again on their next album.

Is it true that you wrote for their last album?
Howard: Yeah. It's called 'Blue' and it's the second track on their album. Me and my team produced it as well. I really think those girls are fantastic.

So, what is love?
Howard: [laughs] Well the third verse of the song is the key! Maybe love is just letting people be what they want to be. The door must always be left unlocked...

For more pearls of wisdom, check out Howard's official website at www.howardjones.com

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