My Fantasy Band: E, Eels

Keyboards - Sly Stone

There is nobody like him. You have to check out old YouTube clips of him. It doesn't matter if he's playing organ or acoustic piano, it's all totally unique. Our bass player jammed with him quite recently and he's most definitely still got it.

Drums - Ringo Starr

I truly believe him to be the greatest drummer on Earth. He tends to get quite a lot of flak simply because of who he was surrounded with in the Beatles but he played on some of the most perfect recordings ever created and you can't argue with that; he obviously did something right.

Bass - Paul McCartney

I'm sorry but I have to choose another Beatle because he's the best and if he's available I'd like him on board. I'm always telling out bassist to be more "McCartneyish." And if you can turn your name into a description of how to play then that really says something.

Guitar - Prince

He could probably play on any of these instruments so you know you're getting an amazing guitarist but also that he'll be able to do tons of other stuff too.

Vocals - Tom Waits

To make this a true rainbow coalition, I want Tom Waits on vocals. With that backing band behind him, it would just be the most unusual explosion of joy the world has ever seen. Now I just need to get tickets to see this band. Can you hook me up?

Eels' new single, "The Man", is out on 25 July. They play T in the Park (10 July), Newcastle O2 Academy (11 July), Leeds O2 Academy (12 July) and Latitude Festival (17 July). www.eelstheband.com