The wit and wisdom of Ian McCulloch

Last week (October 12) Echo & The Bunnymen released their 11th studio album, ‘The Fountain’. To celebrate, we’re looking back at motormouth frontman Ian McCulloch’s funniest quotes. Pic: Photoshot

On journalist/TV presenter Miranda Sawyer: “Another Northern imbecile… she’s starting to resemble a pterodactyl.” (The Quietus, October 2009) Pic: PA Photos

On winning a Q Award: “It seems mad that in November I was picking up the award and then come March I couldn’t get an interview with them! Basically I only got [it] because Chris Martin wouldn’t shut up about me.” (Atomic Duster, 2002) Pic: PA Photos

On his musical peers: “I’m not a great mingler – I think most bands are rubbish.” (Rolling Stone, 2009) Pic: PA Photos

On ‘The Killing Moon’: “I’ve always loved singing it and just thinking about that song… ‘The Killing Moon’… the title alone, it’s the best title of a song of all time.” (Rockfeedback, October 2009)

On Bono: “There’s a lot of people who believe that Bono’s saying something. He’s so disgustingly creepy. Plus, he’s out of his fucking mind as well.” (Interview Magazine, October 2009) Pic: PA Photos

On growing old: “Being 50 means nothing to me. The idea of being dead, now that’ll be fucking weird.” (Rolling Stone, 2009)

On stagecraft: “We’ve never had that gimmicky ‘how you doing?’ attitude to playing live because, to be honest, I’m not that arsed. I’m more concerned with how I’m doing.” (Rolling Stone, 2009) Pic: Photoshot

On Joy Division: “They’re a bit overrated, I think. They’re very good live, but on record…” (NME, 1985)

On Oasis: “From when Oasis first started I thought, ‘Thank Christ someone has picked up on that simple technique of saying they’re the best thing on the planet and just fronting it.’ Liam is a part of a great ancestry of lippy, insecure bastard frontmen.” (Q, 1998) Pic: Rex Features

On highbrow culture: “It’s not to be feared. And it’s all laced with humour. Shakespeare wrote for the man in the street. Instead, we get Simon Cowell peddling this hopeless dirge in the name of talent TV.” (The Quietus, October 2009) Pic: PA Photos

On America: “I like Americans now. They’re dead nice. More polite. They aren’t like the English, ‘Ey Mac, comin’ for a pint round the corner, yer twat?’ I hate all that stuff.” (Q, March 1992) Pic: Rex Features

On ‘The South Bank Show’: “I hate that Melvyn Bragg! What a divvy. He’s just one of those Northern imbeciles, isn’t he?” (The Quietus, October 2009) Pic: PA Photos

On ambition: “I only ever wanted, since the age of 13, to be the best singer of the best band in the world.” (Spin, 2008) Pic: Rex Features

On ‘Ocean Rain’: “It’s the greatest album ever made.” (Spin, 2008) Pic: PA Photos

On being a misfit: “It wasn’t to do with conquering the world; it was to do with those lads, like me and Ian Curtis, who liked the Silver Surfer and Bowie.” (Spin, 2008) Pic: PA Photos

On working with Chris Martin: “I remember one day at the studio he turned up in a T-shirt and trainers, but with his socks pulled right up to his knees! I felt sorry for him. He hasn’t got a clue when it comes to style.” (Atomic Duster, 2003) Pic: PA Photos

On greatness: “How can you not sell the first three Bunnymen albums? It’s like, how can you not sell the Mona Lisa, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch?” (Spin, 2008) Pic: PA Photos