The 5-minute Interview: Jake Burns, Singer

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Burns, 49, is the lead singer of Stiff Little Fingers, the Belfast punk group whose 1979 album "Inflammable Material" was the first LP released by Rough Trade. Eleven reformations and 23 albums later, they are still touring. They will perform across Britain this month.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be ...

It's lunchtime, so probably having a beer and a sandwich in a pub.

A phrase I use far too often ...

"Oh, and another thing". I often get carried away.

I wish people would take more notice of ...

The world as a globe rather than a habitat. I wish the world was more balanced.

The most surprising thing that has happened to me was ...

My wife, who is watching me right now from across the room.

A common misperception of me is that ...

I am just a singer.

I am not a politician but ...

I've always believed every government should have someone that can stop the war. Politicians should think things through before going to war.

I am good at ...

At my job, hopefully. I'm also good at quiz shows, particularly Jeopardy, which is shown in the US. Once I answered all six questions correctly. I felt very proud of myself. Then I realised the questions were for 12-year-olds.

I am bad at ...

There are many things I'm bad at. I am terribly bad with DIY.

The ideal night out is ...

An evening watching football with friends and then getting curry and beer.

You know me as the lead singer of a punk band but in another life I'd have been ...

Well I didn't really want to be a lead singer. The only reason I became a lead singer was because there wasn't anybody else. I would have liked to be a footballer.

In weak moments ...

I'm an optimistic person and I can usually work through it. A cup of tea helps a lot.

The best age is to be ...

People often say school days are the best days of your life but there are lots of stages of life. The best age for me is any age, just so long as you can be happy. When I wake up in the morning, I still have a smile on my face and I'm still married to my wife.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is ...

I've always wanted to have the opportunity to do everything until the end of my life.