One of our favourite bands at TLOBF, Elbow have yet to release a disappointing album. So, when those lovely people at their label suggested they’d be game for our 20 Questions, we jumped at the chance. Lead guitarist Mark Potter took the plunge and left us wondering what a different world we’d be living in if he carried on with is first career…

1. Describe your sound in 3 words.
Intelligently crafted soundscapes.
2. What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?
Adam Ant - Stand and Deliver [single] Vibes record shop, in home town of Bury.
3. What’s the best cure for a hangover?
Bloody mary.
4. What’s on your rider?
Booze, healthy nibbles, water, pain killers, barrocca. Also fresh ginger,honey and lemons for secret vocal remedy drink.
5. How do you get ready for a live show?
Havana rum and coke and lots of pacing around the dressing room.
6. What’s your favourite song to play live?
Leaders Of The Free World.
8. Who would win in a fight, a stoat or a goat and why?
How silly… I guess a stoat as they are a lot more agile with flesh tearing razor sharp teeth, don’t mess!
9. What was the last album you bought?
BRMC Baby 81.
10. If you could rid the world of one song - what would it be?
The Doors- Light My Fire.
11. Who would play you in a film based upon your life?
Gary Oldman.
12. Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Velvet Uunderground, Spiritualized.
13. If push comes to shove, what is your all-time favourite album?
Spiritualized - Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space
14. What’s your most memorable on the road story?
Not so much a story, but I’d have to say our tour of Cuba a few years ago as every day became a new and mindblowing life experience!
15. If your life flashed before your eyes, what would be the highlights?
The day I met my wife, the days that my two sons were born and Glasto ‘05 Main Stage.
16. What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
“Creating great music is 90 percent listening and ten percent playing”, still taking notice today.
17. If you had to leave a body part to science, what would it be?
Very proud of my forearms, not sure if they’d much use help to anyone though.
18. What’s the best book you’ve read and film you’ve seen in the last 6 months?
Not a big reader at all, so “Danny the Champion of the World” by Roald Dahl from childhood and i’d have to say ‘The Last King of Scotland’.
19. What three things could you not live without?
My wife and two boys.
20. Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
I’m a trained chef.

Links
Elbow [official site] [myspace] [the seldom seen kid review]