BBC Host: Here's the first question:

Matthew Pimm: Who was the mystery guest behind the drums at One Live last Tuesday night?

GZM Megan: The mystery guest was Peter Richardson who also plays for Topper. Rhodri Puw also played drums on one song.

Joe Weiler: Have you got a permanent replacement for Euros R?

GZM Euros: Not as yet. We'll just work through drummers for a while.

Matthew Pimm: Will you be releasing Honeymoon With You and How I Long For The Summer In Your Heart which you played on the Mynci 2000 tour?

GZM Richard: They'll be released on the next album, hopefully out in April or May next year. I'll make that June actually!
GZM E: Sometime in the summer.

Joe Weiler I thought Honeymoon With You and How I Long To Feel That Summer In My Heart were meant to be on the new album. Are they gonna be on the next one? The Blue Trees is brilliant!

GZM M: Thanks for being positive about the new album. We've recorded the other two songs already, for the next album.

Anthony Platt, Barcelona: Where did you come up with the name for the new album?

GZM E: I was reading a Truman Capote short story called The Grass Harp, and 'the blue trees' was stuck in a sentence describing a forest. I thought it stood out, so we named the new album after it.

Joe Weiler: Is the diary entry by Gorwel aged nine in The Blue Trees real?

GZM M: Yes. It comes from a scrapbook.
GZM E: He also goes to London to visit Buckingham Palace, and visits Holyhead. He sends his sister a postcard from there! There was a foot and mouth epidemic, but Angelsey wasn't affected.

Matthew Pimm: Did the keyboard land on your foot at the Valencia gig last year?

GZM E: No it didn't, but it's fallen off many times now.

Coffee Cuppa: Asking people you admire questions is difficult (hence the stupid questions here), but if you had to interview the Brian Wilson, what one question would you ask?

GZM E: It's hard, isn't it? I haven't a clue! Maybe about the recording of the Friends album, because I don't know much about that one.

Question from Melanie James: I'm welsh and proud of it, Are you?

GZM E: Yeah, we're Welsh. It's good.
GZM M: It's two separate things. We're Welsh, and we're proud.

Joe Weiler: I've seen you play Colchester, London Union Chapel and Reading this year. Which do you think was your best gig? I thought you were superb at the Union Chapel! Best gig of the year.

GZM M: Agreed.
GZM E: Colchester wasn't bad, but Union Chapel was the best.
GZM R: The sound was better there as well.

Alex Synge, Dublin: Will you be coming back to Dublin soon? I saw you earlier this year but i'm getting withdrawl symptoms already!!

GZM R: Hopefully, yeah.
GZM E: We're not going to be touring until next year. We're thinking of doing a short tour of Ireland. We've never played Belfast properly, for instance.

Question from Don't Look So Sad: Do you like Idlewild as much as they like you? Roddy says you're one of his top five favorite bands. That's of all time, mind you.

GZM R: That's very flattering. They've got a good live sound!
GZM E: Yeah, we're big fans.
GZM E: They've got our old sound engineer. Richard's never got over it. He was more than just a sound man to him!

K: How do you go about deciding which older songs to include in your live set these days?

GZM R: It's a lot to do with what we've had enough of playing.
GZM E: With Mynci 2000 every old song had never been played live before.
GZM R: It was hard to realise them live because we had five of us before. With Mynci 2000 there were seven of us.

Catherine Norton: I don't like Idlewild. They're really grumpy. Are you going to come to Brighton again?

GZM M: We played a theatre there. Nice venue. Good crowd. We'll definitely return.
GZM E: 98% sure.
GZM R: I've got to pick up some Kurdish refugees!

Eilir Pierce: When you were on Fontana did you feel more restricted musically than when you were on Ankst?

GZM E: No. No-one ever came to the studio to see what we were up to.
GZM R: They didn't like the music, that's why they didn't see us!

Megan le Button, Los Angeles: Are you all buttons? Someone told me you're all big shiny buttons. I am a button. And, I have no eyes.

GZM E: Yes, whatever makes you happy.
GZM R: I'm not a button, dear.

Porky's Psychotic Junkie: Do you expect to be going back to the US again next year?

GZM E: Yes, we're looking forward to it. If we get enough money from our label we'll do it.

Matthew Pimm: If you were nominated for The Mercury Prize would you attend the awards ceremony?

GZM R: You have to, don't you? Actually, I probably wouldn't, no.
GZM E: The only award we've won is the West Wales music prize for outstanding achievement.
GZM M: In 1996. We're due another!

Brian Hamilton: Patio Song is one of the nicest tunes I have ever heard, it is vibrant and colourful and always cheers me up, what inspired you to write it?

GZM E: I was doing a Robert Wyatt impersonation into a dictaphone. It was gobbledygook to begin with. The song's in two parts. I wrote the first bit first, and translated it into Welsh, then English. It took four years to write. The end bit took another three!

Sylvie & James: what's your favourite song that you've written? Come and play in Bristol or Bath soon!

GZM M: I've only written three songs!
GZM E: Hair Of The Beautiful Pondgirl. That was the best title!

Joe Howe: if your record company forced you to choose once and for all whether you were to play on entirely acoustic instruments or entirely electric instruments when touring to cut down costs, which would you choose?

GZM R: That's too unrealistic to register in my brain...
GZM E: It would be cheaper to do it acoustic.
GZM M: Acoustic strings are cheaper.

Matthew Pimm: For my Aussie friend Fergus Noodle, will you be playing Australia in the near future?

GZM M: Not in the near future.
GZM E: We've been thinking about it for about 3-4 years.
GZM R: I met an old friend yesterday called Roland Evans, who in our early days used to play drums for us. He said he went travelling, and worked in Australia on a building site. He was working with a man from north Wales. Patio Song came on the radio once when he was working on the site, and he couldn't believe his ears. His first reaction was 'I can't believe it's those ****s!

Matthew Pimm: Did you hear about the naughty hacker who posted a fake news report that Badly Drawn Boy had dedicated his prize to you because of how badly treated you were by Mercury? Not that I know anything about it.

GZM E: I know someone who knows about this, but I can't say any more!

Anthony Platt: Do you have any plans to play in Spain in the near future?

GZM M: We did a tour last April.
GZM R: Hopefully we'll go back next year.
GZM M: We've got no firm plans.
GZM E: We haven't got a drummer, either.

Stefan Kubiczyn: Was it a conscious decision not to play any tracks which had been released at the Ifor Bach gig on tuesday? By the way, cheers for taking time to talk to me in Womanby Street afterwards, Rich!

GZM R: That was just between us!
GZM M: We didn't realise at the time. The album was recorded months ago. We just did the best set we could, acoustically.

thegreenman: although you have big following do you ever wish it translated more into commercial success like chart positions?

GZM R: Yes. Chart positions, cash.

Alex Synge, Dublin: What would you like for Christmas?

GZM R: Chart positions and cash! And a laptop computer from Santa Claus.

Scott Watkins: Will there be any possibility of an extended US tour (beyond the obvious choices)? I live in Atlanta, and any chance of a Gorky's show here or in Athens (home of those like-minded Elephant 6 bands, as well as Team Clermont's headquarters) would be eagerly anticipated...

GZM M: If we did play the US again, we'd try and go to some different places to last time.
GZM R: We'd try and play Athens, because the Olivia Tremor Control come from there.

Scott Watkins: A year ago at this time i had never heard Gorky's before. but after reading an old Mojo interview I saw Barafundle at a store and thought "why not?" I immediately became a massive fan, buying absolutely everything related to the band & all of my friends would be sick of hearing me gush on and on if it weren't for the fact that they also like it when i played the albums for them. Just like my other favorite active band, Yo La Tengo, you incorporate everything I love about music.

GZM E: We'll come and play for you, for that reason alone!

thegreenman: what has john been doing since leaving the band?

GZM E: He formed the Infinity Chimps.
GZM R: He went travelling in Peru for two months. He's now working in a hotel bar in north Wales.
GZM E: I think he's got a new album coming out. He's keeping active.

Julien, France: why don't you release your masterpieces on Placid Casual (SFA's label)? And will you perform with Grandaddy for their European tour?

GZM R: Placid Casual haven't got enough money to sustain a professional slick outfit like ourselves!
GZM E: We're getting a live band together. No plans to tour with Grandaddy at present.

Cindy Gomez: Hey, Gorky's!! Remember me, Cindy from Michigan?! Want to say hi and wondering when you are coming back to do more gigs in the midwest. My favourite gig was the Toronto show. What did you think of the Chicago and Minneapolis gigs?? I gather you probably preferred Chicago? Minneapolis was different, but worth the hike. I hope you come back soon!!

GZM E: Yes, we do remember you! How are you?
GZM E: Thanks for the photos, they were great!

Stefan Kubiczyn: Do you know if Ankst plan to release your older albums? I'd love to have a copy of Bwyd Time on CD...

GZM E: I think Bwyd Time's the one you can still get on CD. Tatay's probably the one that needs to be re-released. I think you can still get Patio, too.

Emma Tapson: Hi Gorky's! where do you get your inspiration from?

GZM E: Just living, maaaaaaaaaaan!

Zoran Lazic: What's your favourite album of the year? You've got to sell me some more music since you're putting out only a few songs this year.

GZM E: Mwng, I suppose. Grandaddy, The Sophtware Slump.

Catherine Norton1: Why all the prolific album making? Are you all workaholics, or is it because the weather's so awful?

GZM R: We live to work! I abhor laziness!
GZM E: Richard is pulling your leg... If it weren't for him we'd release an album every 10 years.
GZM R: And we would be on Placid Casual!

K: I like that Sailor song that was put up on your official site. What's the story with that one?

GZM E: It's a traditional Scottish ballad.
GZM R: Attempting to capture the life of a sailor, and the joys of all that! In the 19th century.

Daf T: Richard, what's your favourite tree?

GZM R: Ones I can control!
GZM E: I take it you're referring to our film, 'Half Naked in Belgium', where Richard get familiar with a tree!

Amy Wiseman: Which song by any other artist do u wish you had written?

GZM E: Bridge Over Troubled Water, for the royalties alone. Also Pretty Ballerina by the Left Bank.

Stefan: You've released seven albums now, and a multitude of EPs stretching over a seven or so year period. Are there any particular releases which you're most proud of?

GZM M: Amber Gambler.
GZM R: Yeah.
GZM E: I'm proud that it got finished. Not proud of the cost. It nearly drove Ankst to bankruptcy!
GZM We always say it was half an album... in length at least!

Emma Tapson: Oh yeah. If Euros is there, can you give me a pronounciation lesson!? No-one I've asked knows how to pronounce your name!

GZM E: Like if you're saying 'hey, ross', but drop the 'h'. But some people pronounce it differently.

Joe Weiler: I thought I read Euros saying that you were gonna take 2000 off. Two tours, a mini album and most of the next album done, what happened?

GZM E: We did manage a mini album. That's taking time off, for us. It only took a week to record. It was quite quick.

Squrrl: Hey Richard, when's your birthday?

GZM R: My birthday is on March 27th. Cash would be preferable.

Smakaak: what do you make of other new-ish groups that are again spearheading a new wave of rock such as Muse or The Crockets?

GZM E: We're not big Muse fans. They're just guitar bands. They come and go. We've played with the Crocketts before, though.

Coffee Cuppa: You are sounding more and more like my local country band here in North Carolina. Who's the country music buff?

GZM M: Euros, probably.
GZM E: I'm the obsessive one in the band. I always take it too far, every time.

Matthew Pimm: SFA's music was heavily used in the documentary about the Enviromental Health department narated by John Peel. Which kind of documentry would you like your music played on?

GZM M: It was, on a programme on the decline of farming in the west country.
GZM E: War Walks. They used Blood Chant!
GZM M: Patio Song was used on Holiday 98.

Chimp Nuts: Who's idea was the sperm on the fantastic website?

GZM R: John Davis and Anthony Price. Dot Com!
GZM E: I thought it was my idea! It wasn't theirs!

Fait Accompli: I know this isn't a question... but over the last half an hour I have just fallen in love with your music.

GZM E: That's lovely. Thankyou very much.
GZM R: It's available in all good record shops!

Eilir Pierce: To Megan - is it strange being in a band with your brother for so many years? Is It like The Carpenters?

GZM R: She was in the Carpenters!

Zoran Lazic: And now for the movies and drugs. Which are your favourites? I'm trying desperately to figure you out, you see.

GZM E: I like a nice cup of coffee. That's the only drug that passes my lips!

Fait Accompli: All good record shops? Hmm, they don't exist here...

GZM R: Where do you live, then? Cardiff?

Stefan Kubiczyn: Does it ever frustrate you that bands like yourself a few years ago, Gwacamoli and Y Tystion get largely ignored by the mainstream music press, seemingly becuase of the language, and yet Sigur Ros etc get fawned over?

GZM M: We've always had quite a lot of mainstream press.
GZM R: THe Blue Trees got three out of five in the Daily Mirror.

Chris Lilley: I don't suppose you can give us any details on a new album? I know you only released one today but...

GZM E: We've recorded two songs. One of the songs we did at One Live, Her Hair Hangs Long, will be on it.

Matthew Pimm: The intro to Hitchin' A Ride by (spit) Green Day is exactly the same as the start to Merion Wyllt. Are you going to sue?

GZM E: No, it would cost too much.
GZM R: We can't be bothered!

Liz: I've just read High Fidelety so my question would have to be: what are your top 5 best most uplifting bands of all time ? ps you guys are the best ever !!!

GZM E: The Beach Boys.
GZM M: The Beatles.
GZM R: Gene Clark.

Chris Lilley: Will there be the song you did at Reading, How I Long To Feel The Summer Song On My Heart? That was amazing.

GZM E: Yeah, that'll be on the album coming out next year.

Joe Weiler: Do you think Badly Drawn Boy should have won the Mercury? I thought The Delgados should've got it, and they're fans of yours! I think a joint tour would be a fantastic idea, do you?

GZM M: They're good, yeah.
GZM E: I've not heard all the BDB album.
GZM M: It's got nothing to do with what I think, who wins it!

Coffee Cuppa: You write the most tender love songs I've ever heard. Who's the biggest softie in the band?

GZM M: Rhodri Puw!

Chris Lilley: Will you please play live in Weymouth in Verdis? Ash are!!! I am desperate to see you again

GZM R: How far is that from Bristol? We should play the west country.
GZM E: We played four days in the west country in 1995, with Baby Bird.

Zoran Lazic: Do you have a favourite fairytale or maybe children's book?

GZM M: I like the one where someone has to knit 100 shirts out of nettles.
GZM R: Where The Wild Things Are.
GZM E: Maurice Sendak again. In the Midnight Kitchen.

Nisha Mootookistnen: Do you like UK Garage?

GZM E: I don't know what it is. Is that where you put your cars?
GZM R: And it's got two doors!

Chimp Nuts: What are your own favourite GZM songs

GZM M: Cinema.
GZM R: Wordless Song.

Anthony Platt: Do you speak Welsh to each other all the time?

GZM E: Yes.
GZM R: Adapted Welsh!

thegreenman: I was listening to Bywd Time today. What exactly was facination with salt (Man With Salt Hair, Eating Salt Is Easy)?

GZM R: Coincidence.

Zoran Lazic: So then, are you summer or winter people?

GZM: Summer, without a doubt.
GZM E: We're starting to get depressed.

Stefan Kubiczyn: Do you have any plans to resurrect Blessed Are The Meek on a future tour?

GZM E: None whatsoever.
GZM R: But it's not a bad idea.

Nisha Mootookistnen: What country would you most like to perform in ?

GZM E: Australia.

Cindy Gomez: When are you coming back to tour North America??

GZM M: Probably at the end of next year.
GZM E: There should be an American tour next year.
GZM R: When it stops being minus 30!

Catherine Norton1: If you could poach any musician from any band (living or dead), without necessarily replacing anyone in GZM, who would it be?

GZM R: Paul McCartney. Good instrumentalist, songwriter. You can't ask for more than that, can you?

Peter Salmon: Apart from going on about GZM to everyone we meet, we've just got into Martin Carthy. Are there any folk-type artists that you listen to / would recommend?

GZM E: Yeah. Bert Jansch.
GZM R: Richard Thompson, John Fahey.
GZM E: John Renbourne, and Meic Stevens.

Stefan Kubiczyn: Any tips for somebody wanting to learn Welsh?

GZM R: If you move to Wales and plan to have a family, send them to a Welsh school! Otherwise you don't belong here!
GZM E: It's a local country for local people!

Joe Weiler: Gorky's is 10 years old now. Where do you see the band in another 10 years time?

GZM R: Fate is a fickle master!

BBC Host: Just time for a final word from Rich, Megan and Euros:

GZM Richard: Thanks to everyone who's dropped in for the chat!
GZM Megan: Sorry if we couldn't answer everything, but thanks anyway!
GZM Euros: Yeah, thanks for bearing with us. Hope our answers weren't too flippant!
GZM: Bye from us!

+++ End of transcript.