In this month’s exclusive Mustangs interview, we need little introduction to The Mustangs' drummer Jon Bartley. A chat in which he reveals the possibility of TWO Mustangs albums coming out this year, and what 2009 has in store for The Band.

Q: Hi Jon, first of all, how was Christmas?!

Fattening! I put on the best part of a stone.

Q: It doesn’t show! 2009 seems to shaping up nicely for the band, tell us some of the things you are most looking forward to.

I am looking forward to "Shaping up nicely..." myself, but definitely looking forward to recording the new album. Some of the new tracks we have been trying out live have gone down a treat, and I can't wait to hear what they sound like when we get them down properly.

Q: France will be The Mustangs' first trip abroad, what are you expecting?

To be honest I don't know quite what to expect, except a hell of a lot of people. It's great to be playing two nights there. And the great things is, that if Adam forgets any lyrics (as he usual does at some point in our shows) no one is really going to notice.

Q: Will we see more European shows from The Band in the future?

We were promised a gig in San Tropez about five years ago, but I am beginning to wonder if it may not happen...

Q: Is there anywhere in particular you'd like The Band to play?

San Tropez. Anywhere hot in fact, with a sandy beach, a pool, five star accommodation and some cold beers.

Q: There has been talk of maybe two albums this year, a live one and a new studio album. Can you shed any light on this?

Yeah, Adam is supposed to mixing a live Album that was recorded at Colne last year. We have heard the tracks which have come out really well, but there have been a few technical issues which have yet to be resolved I gather. So probably no live album this year. However, we should have the new studio album out around the summer.

Q: So there will definitely be a new studio album this year? Has The Band started writing for it yet?

I'm beginning to think you aren't listening to what I am saying!... yes, we’re already playing some live and they sound great.

Q: How do you fit new songs into an already packed set? What factors do you need to take into account before you drop songs to fit them in?

We put all the song names in the bass drum, roll it around, and then draw out 20.

Q: Somehow I doubt that! Is there a particular direction you can see the new album taking?

I think it will be our rawest yet. Gritty and hard. Just how we like it.

Q: You did Skegness again in January. How did it go?

I think we have played Skegness four or five times now, and that has to have been our best show (and not just because a load of women through their underwear onto the stage (honest!). I think we have a real confidence to play those bigger stages now, and it feels very natural. We managed to recreate the intimate feeling of a smaller stage in the bigger blues-festival venue, which is what we have been aiming to do.

Q: Can we expect to see more and more new material in the set over the next few months?

Oh yes. We'll be churning them out before we finally record them. It worked very well doing it that way on the last album, and we'll be trying to do it as much as possible for this one.

Q: Finally, our regular final question. What, currently, is your favourite Mustangs song?

Can't find a diet, I mean, lover.

Thank you Jon.