What's On Your Rider?

Paul Tiernan tells TONY CLAYTON-LEAwhat's on his rider

What's on your rider?Cognac and oysters.

What would be on your fantasy rider?Cognac and oysters.

What's your pre-gig routine?Walking around whichever town I'm playing in, aimlessly, then falling asleep from pre- gig narcolepsy, then waking up in time to have a glass of red.

How do you get to the gig?If possible walking, as I have a long- standing aversion to taxis.

What's the best gig you've been to?No best gig, but Van Morrison when he was karate kicking his way around the stage in City Hall, Cork, in 1970-something. Recently, it was Camille in Bordeaux.

And the worst?Van Morrison at the National Stadium being a grumpy git.

Ecologically speaking, are you closer to Radiohead or Motörhead?Radiohead – but I aspire to Lemmy's facial hair.

Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?Jeff Buckley at Sin É, New York.

Most embarrassing on-stage moment?I said: "There's Jeff Buckley!"

What's your crowd-pleasing number?Belle.

Chatting between songs – good or bad, and why?Good if it's short, bad if long. My syntax is atrocious. Once I hit the first verbal semi colon nothing makes sense after it.

Groupies – would you?Do you want the truth?

How many roadies does it take to change your lightbulbs?I change my own.

Have you a special stage wardrobe?Yes, my gay hairdresser shirt which is light, indestructible and never needs to be ironed.

Do you like to meet and greet fans after the gig?See the groupie question.

Any useful stage tips?Got a good tip from Chris de Burgh: never say thank you 'till the crowd has stopped clapping. He's the man.

Who's invited to your aftershow party?Marja Gaynor, Clarence Black, Jessie Kennedy, Maurice Seezer, Bertrand Galen, Fergus O'Farrell, Kevin Murphy, Colm McCaughey. Oh, and myself.

** In conversation with TONY CLAYTON-LEA.

** Paul Tiernan plays Bantry, Co Cork tonight and Cork city on Wednesday