Nearly 20 years in the business, The Charlatans first emerged during the 'Madchester' scene of the early '90s and have since released 10 studio albums. As one of the stars of the current series of 'Other Voices', drummer Jon Brookes was online on Thursday 13 March.

Read his answers here:

Paulo: Will you be doing any Irish gigs apart from Oxegen and are the Baggies going to win the Cup?
Jon: Hi all, Jon here. How are you? Right let's get crackin'. Eh, Baggies got the worst draw. Trust Bryan Robson. We'll have to see. We are planning an Irish tour in the near future.

Stuart Dale: The latest single 'Oh, Vanity' has a great drumbeat and fans have been saying it's the best Charlatans single in ages. Would you agree. I have seen it live a few times and its a true dancefloor stomper. Cheers.
Jon: Well, I think it's a great drumbeat, which was conceived by Tim. I can't take credit for that. It's def got that classic Hammond sound that we love. It's one of our strongest singles and captures the band's mood. Driving forward!

Stuart Dale: Hi Jon. What is going on with Tim's fringe and can you confirm the rumour that it is invading international airspace? Great album and looking forward to the tour. Cheers
Jon: Ha Ha. He's currently in between hair cuts! I like that one, 'international airspace'.

Stephen Lyden: If Hollywood came calling for The Charlatans to be made into a blockbuster movie, who would play each member of the band? ie: Martin Freeman aka Tim in The Office to play Martin Blunt and so on....
Jon: Yeah that's cool for Martin, ha! I'd like Christopher Walken for me. Anyone from the Carry On movies for the rest of us. It comes up quite often, that question. When in doubt go for the Carry On Camping cast!

Ciara: What's the meaning of the cats on the album cover? Are they the band members and if so who's who?
Jon: Yeah. It's a strange concept. It's 'you cross my path' so you think of a cat crossing. It's a bit of feline symbolism. Cats are quite mythical and it's better than putting us on the cover again.

Richard Dunne: Lads, it's nearly 20 years since your first album came out! Is it still as much fun as when you first started out?
Jon: It's more fun than it ever has been. I think we just appreciate it more.

Richard Dunne: Lads, when you started out bands like The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and Blur were around. Yet you have outlasted them all! Any secret to your longevity?
Jon: You know, we never finished what we started. As you can tell by our records we're constantly reinventing things and that keeps the band alive.

Rew Waters: What's it like to work with the best front man, Tim Burgess
Jon: It's inspirational. He's a very creative young man, a great guy.

Donal Glavin: What bands do like these days?
Jon: Eh, nothing particular really. I've my ear open to anything really.

Brian A: Do you think it is more difficult to compete with the rock bands of today then when you first started out or do you just not care about other bands?
Jon: Don't really care really. It makes no difference.

Stace: What sandwich do you recomend at Antons?
Jon: Ha Ha ha. I'd my usual bacon and egg on brown this morn. You should be at work pal!

Kylie or DanniY: Kylie or DanniY
Jon: Danni everytime man!

Paulo: What song off 1995's 'The Charlatans' would be your favourite and why?
Jon: Hmm, the first one. What's it called? It's gone out of my head. Can't believe I've forgotten! I like 'No Fiction' and ...'Feeling Holy'!

Kevin Esson: Hi Jon, I'm a drummer aswell. My influences are yourself, Bonham, Moon, Copeland, what drummers did you like when you started playing?
Jon: Just those guys. They were great. They're the key rock drummers right there. The holy trinity of drummers.

Shane: You have a really good song called 'Try Again Today' and it deserves more recognition. Do you play it often and are you going to play it at Oxegen?
Jon: Eh, it depends where the band are mentally. It's something we have to get our head round to play. It's a weird one to do sometimes.

Paul McDermot: How has the hunger stayed so strong after such a long career that had some tragic moments? PS Amsterdam Melkweg a few weeks ago was class!
Jon: Cheers mate! Taxman keeps you hungry!

Mick: I reckon you guys are a top band. Do you ever think that with the top tunes you have that you should be bigger than what you are now? I certanly do.
Jon: We're grateful for what we got but we'd alway's like more.

Joe Doyle: Though you've never really made a bad album, which do you feel is the band's worst and why?
Jon: The second LP has got a lot of bad memories associated with it. We were all kind of screwed up mentally when we made that, so I suppose that one.

Paul Smyth: Is Tim still in that band The Chavs with Carl Barat and are they ever going to release anything?
Jon: I dunno. Got to ask Tim.

Phil Roche: Did you enjoy recording your Other Voices set?
Jon: Yeah that was fantastic. I'd been there before, in Dingle, and loved it. We'd a great time.

DJD: Hi Jon,what did you think of the 'Other Voices' venue?
Jon: Interesting!

Jenny: So it's October 2007, you've already made plans to give away your new album free, a revolutionary decision, and then Radiohead beat you too it. How annoyed were you?
Jon: They were always going to get the press. We had the idea first though. We don't mind though, they're an important band.

John: What's your favourite Charlatans song to play live?
Jon: The last one we do!

Ian McCarthy: Hey Jon, how old were you when you got your first set of drums and why or how did you get them?
Jon: I got into them because it was the only thing I could express myself on, and I was 11 years old.

Ian McCarthy: With Irish band or artist would you like to collaborate with?
Jon: U2!

Ian McCarthy: Can you name the birthdays of all the other lads? Bet you cant!
Jon: No I can't. I don't even know how old they are!

Eric: What are your memories of recording 'Between 10th and the 11th' and how do you feel about that album?
Jon: It was kind of strange. Difficult really. It was the end of an era and we had to change the whole dynamic of the band. A transitional period.

Eric: What was the biggest career mistake The Charlatans ever made?
Jon: Woah, that's a great question....hmmm....it would prob be..I think. There's been decisions made and carried out which in hindsight were not the right decisions, but.. you know I can't really think of one. It's really difficult. I'll come back to it.

Brian Reynolds: I'm thinking of starting to learn the drums - any tips for an eager beaver?
Jon: Best thing to do is play along to your fav records, music you like. See if you can get it. If not try play along to Motorhead, that'll sort you out!

Stuart Dale: I have seen The Charlatans over a hundred times and rate Trentham Gardens, Brixton All Nighter, Dublin Castle, Manchester Boardwalk and last years gigs at Loch Ness and Glasgow ABC as the best. What are your favourites and why?
Jon: I think I'd prob agree with that. Trentham Gardens was excellent.

Austin: Have you ever thought of doing an acoustic live album?
Jon: No! Our band is split between lover and haters of acoustic guitars, I'm sure you can guess who's who!

Rocky: Will you ever sign with a record label again?
Jon: Yeah I think we would. We don't consider them the enemy.

Steve: What is it about Manchester and music?
Jon: I think it benifits from a real diverse student population in a fairly small city and I think this gives rise for different avenues for music to be created in and appreciated.

Jonathan: Hi lads, thanks for visiting Ireland again, you are legends. When Tim discovered his high pitched singing style a few albums ago - did any of the band members think "Oh dear, I'm not sure about this"? No offence Tim, I actually grew to like it a lot.
Jon: No, we thought it was really cool. It was a direct result of being inspired by Curtis Mayfield.

Donal Glavin: What new Manchester bands do you like these days and are you a fan of Oasis new stuff?
Jon: On Oasis's new stuff, eh, it's patchy sometimes I think.

Brian A: After all this time do you still get nervous before playing live gigs?
Jon: No, just excited

Cristina: I got the chance to see you live last year during the Natural Music Festival in Almera, southern Spain. Are you going to be back some time soon? We want more... ;)
Jon: Eh, we loved Spain. Who doesn't. It's one of the best places to play. It's got all the perfect attributes people in a band love - late night bars, smoking in bars and afternoon naps.

James: What advice would you give to young bands?
Jon: Oh God. Get a decent haircut, and never write you're name on a dressing room wall....and never give out advice!

Mick: When do you play in Ireland again?
Jon: At Oxegen, which should be great. We enjoy playing Ireland, always seem to have a good gig there. We actually did some of the new album there. So on that, cheers for your time and questions. Hopefully see you all soon on the road. Jon