I guess standup is really painting pictures with words - especially for me, as I describe quite fantastical, visual things. My art teacher, Dexter Dalwood, always seemed to think they were linked. We bonded over our love of Vic Reeves.

The film-maker Alejandro Jodorowsky - his films are hard to watch - they're so dense and rich - but they're probably the best things ever made. And Spike Milligan, who was light years ahead of the rest - I played some of his stuff to Jack Black once. He'd never heard of him, so watching him listen to Spike for the first time was just hilarious.

When people come to see you, they know what you do. That's what they want. They want it to be quite English; they don't want to watch an English bloke trying to fit in. They want it to be quintessentially English in the way that Ricky Gervais is rude to people at the Golden Globes.

I always had a sort of niggling regret that we didn't come do stuff in America.

I'd rather do smaller theaters, because it's more fun for the audience and more fun for me. I like to build up demand.

The Boosh was cult, but then it crossed over a bit, which we needed it to, because we were working on it full time, and it needed to go mainstream so we could keep making material.

I can't write unless I've got the voice for a character.

When I was at art college, a can of Spray Mount adhesive cost £12: £2 more than my weekly food bill.

My parents had lots of parties. They were hopelessly bohemian. They were just 18 when they had me.

My mum and dad are massive Bowie fans, so I grew up listening to his music.

When we got quite big and were generating a lot of money through the arenas, we became quite a big thing, and a lot of managers appeared, and it became a big machine, like we were in Pink Floyd or something, and I don't think we were into that. We didn't really compromise.

I don't live to work; I work to live.

I'm not interested in making money. It's just that with my talent, I'm cursed with it.

Great music is in the ear of the beholder.

We're not arrogant, we just believe we're the best band in the world.

Rock n' roll to me is all about freedom of thought and to be whatever you want to be.

You've got to be strong enough for love. It's very easy to be cool and cynical. It's very difficult to just let yourself go and be in love. You've got to be strong enough for that.

The charts are only relevant when you're top of them!

With every song that I write, I compare it to the Beatles. The thing is, they only got there before me. If I'd been born at the same time as John Lennon, I'd have been up there.

Music is a thing that changes people's lives. It has the capacity to make young people's lives better.

To be quite honest, John Lennon had questionable politics. There was a flip side. He was all peace and love, but he was a very violent character.

My wife would say I'm not romantic at all, but I would say that I'm the ultimate romancer because I write about... life being brilliant.

You can't put a load of rockstars up on a stage and expect to wipe out global poverty. That's ludicrous.

I go into Daunt Books in Marylebone every couple of weeks. My wife Sara demolishes books, but I only buy stuff occasionally. I like boys' things, spies and the Cold War.

You've just got to trust your instincts and realize that you can't please all the people all the time. You've got to please yourself ultimately in the end.

You'll find people who rib you about their age are petrified about getting old. It doesn't bother me.

Solo artists are generally totally insane. Elton John? Slightly eccentric. George Michael? He's mad as custard.

My first instinct when I write songs is not a negative one. It's something positive... Everything I've ever done has some form of hope in it, I think.

You can't afford to think about what might have been. You just be aware of what is.

There's nothing good on the news. You're not telling me CNN is all cats in trees, are you? Nothing can be that good if Piers Morgan is in it, you know what I mean?

I remember the '70s constantly being winter in Manchester and the Irish community in Manchester closing ranks because of the IRA bombings in Birmingham and Manchester, and you know the bin-workers' strike, all wrapped up in it... They were violent times. Violence at home and violence at football matches.

Fame is something that is bestowed upon you because of success. Success is something you have to chase.

I'm a happy-go-lucky character. I'm not that miserable. But I can never let anyone into my world.

When you're the cash cow that lays the golden goose egg, people are always going to cheer you on, whatever.

Oasis were the last great, traditional rock-n'-roll band. We came along before the Internet so, if you wanted to see us, you had to be there. It makes me feel like a righteous old man.

You can't be a mod and a rocker. You have to choose sides.

There's no reason, ever, to be late. Or early.

I've never been asked to do a collaboration. I guess I just don't give off that come-and-get-me vibe. I wouldn't be adverse to doing one with Coldplay or U2 - anyone who sells 50 million albums.

What's problematic about playing stadiums and driving around in private jets and drinking champagne at 8 o'clock in the morning? What's wrong with that? I haven't got a problem with that. I can't fathom why people would.

I don't much like 'Wonderwall,' but the effect that song has on people, I can't deny it.

We shouldn't need riot police at schools.

When I was 16 I'd watch 'The Godfather,' but I didn't think, 'Right, I'm going to go down the barber's and get some protection money off him.'

I love the Bee Gees, but only the pre-disco stuff. From '64 to '69, I've got all their albums.

If I can give you any advice, it's this: every hour that you spend sat on the couch doing nothing, put it to good use, because when you have kids, an hour is like a lifetime.

Twenty years from now, will we listen to Lady Gaga? No. She might think she is making a stand for the freaks and the weirdos. But they're not going to have any decent music to play, are they?

Tony Blair is a brilliant politician. Unfortunately, his legacy is entwined with George W. Bush because of Iraq.

I have 3 kids and a cat and a busy, noisy house. I get more time to relax when I'm working.

For the record, I Iike Jay-Z. That's my opinion.

I don't dislike rappers or hip-hop or people who like it. I went to the Def Jam tour in Manchester in the '80s when rap was inspirational. Public Enemy were awesome. But it's all about status and bling now, and it doesn't say anything to me.

America is incredibly professional and corporate.