David Ford tells us what's on his rider
What's on your rider?A few cans of warm beer, some sweaty cheese (but no knife), herbal teabags (but no kettle, water or cups).
What would be on your fantasy rider?A small Mexican family restaurant offering warm hospitality and margaritas like battery acid.
What's your pre-gig routine?I don't understand the question . . . is that a sex thing?
How do you get to the gig?I get to play the show, carry the gear and drive the van. It's all glamour.
What's the best gig you've been to?Tom Waits in El Paso, Texas. I took a 1,000-mile detour to see the man who I consider to be the greatest songwriter there has ever been. Two days driving through the dust of west Texas set the tone perfectly.
And the worst?I don't like to name names but, generally, the more hype surrounding a band, the more I tend to hate it.
Ecologically, are you closer to Radiohead or Motorhead? If anything, the lack of an energy-sapping light show and extensive trucking makes me greener than Radiohead.
Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?1980s Page 3 stunna Samantha Fox about 10 years ago. I don't think she was there to see my band.
Most embarrassing on-stage moment?I once suffered a colossal nosebleed half-way through a set and had to play the remaining songs with blood streaming out of my face.
What's your crowd-pleasing number?I try not to please a crowd – I'd rather the show was slightly traumatic but ultimately uplifting. Like any good tragedy.
Chatting between songs – good or bad?The well- sharpened wit of a seasoned raconteur is always welcome, but I also love the Ray LaMontagne silent approach.
Groupies – would you?No. It's a tired and embarrassing cliché.
Do you like to meet and greet fans after the gig?More and more, I do. I'm opposed to it ideologically, since I cherish the barriers that exist between myself and the artists that I love. But these days, the shriveled music business has drastically reduced the opportunity for artistic survival, so on a personal level I feel very thankful to all of those who care enough to attend my shows.
What's the worst thing ever thrown at you?Comparison with the works of James Blunt.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea. David Ford plays the Sugar Club, Dublin on Thursday
