Source : gURL.com
Re-formatted : Garbage2.com

shirley_manson_gurl: A big hello from everybody here in Garbage.

Brunetteminx asks: Shirley, I love you, you are my idol! My question is have you seen most of the webpages in the large (and growing) community of fansites of Garbage? We're all very hopeful you'll come by and check us out.

shirley_manson_gurl: Yeah, we do check in every now and again, and marvel at the info that everyone gets a hold of. A common complaint heard is that "why doesn't my site look as good as that?" So yeah, we're in awe of the sites out there for Garbage.

samiad2000 asks: Shirley, what is your most favored part of the album development cycle? Do you prefer the early stages, where large changes can be made to unfinished tracks, or the perfection of near-completed songs?

shirley_manson_gurl: The bit that I like best about recording is lying on the couch, shouting orders at the boys and sitting and watching TV. I think it's well documented that I don't have as much patience as my band when it comes to the studio process.

blisteringheat2000 asks: Happy birthday Shirley! I notice on your studio diaries that you're really practicing your guitar. Will you be playing it during a lot more songs next tour, AND does this mean you won't be messing up "Wicked Ways" anymore? ;)

shirley_manson_gurl: I'll ignore that barbed comment! Yeah, I decided that I wanted to play more guitar in the live context because I got a little disheartened on tour last summer, when Garbage was playing all the summer festivals and I found myself to be the only female on the bill. I decided there and then that I would go back home and learn to play my guitar like a pro because I wanted to inspire people, particularly women, to pick up a guitar and make a noise!

passivesoul asks: In an interview, it is rumored that you said Britney Spears was "okay," while it was bugglegum queens like Christina Aguilera who you had issues against. Could you clarify this sentiment, if it is indeed true?

shirley_manson_gurl: It is indeed true that I've softened my hard line approach towards Britney, simply because if we're going to have any such vacuous pop stars in our midst, it's alright if it's Britney because she has a sense of humor--unlike the aforementioned and that hideous creature Mandy Moore. I try not to dis too many of my fellow female musicians, but I make an exception when they really hit rock bottom.

shirley_manson_gurl: Mandy Moore is foul, you must admit. She is absolutely hideous. I want to slap her from here to Tuesday.

pranoid_vixen asks: If you had to pick one Garbage song to listen to for the rest of your life, which one would you pick?

shirley_manson_gurl: Ooh. That's a good question. One I've not been asked before, which is miraculous. I'm going to choose two... either "Vow" or "Medication."

Luismoya asks: Shirley, what are the best new bands with truly new music?

shirley_manson_gurl:Ooh. I guess that depends what you're into. Right now, I'm in love with a band called sigur ros, and I love Cat Power. I'm looking around my desk right nowÉI have Laurent Garnier here... and a band called Thou which is very cool and a great rap CD I've been listening to called Mos Def.

aqua718 asks: What's the deal with your special gURLradio thing? I never heard of it and was wondering what it is about.

shirley_manson_gurl: Well, it's a radio program hosted by me which will be played on gurl.com radio. gURL.com is an online website and magazine...and they invited me to participate in the launch of their new radio station, and I jumped at the chance because I got to play some of my favorite songs of all time.

Dylaninla asks: If you were trapped on "Survivor" island with only one of your bandmates, who would you want it to be and why?

shirley_manson_gurl: Oh god, that's so difficult. That's not fair. That's like asking a mother to pick one of her children. I can't answer that question!

manolis_varnassinger asks: Shirley, your music rules and happy birthday! Where did you celebrate it and what was the most beautiful gift you got?

shirley_manson_gurl:Ooh. I celebrated it in Madison, WI, where we're recording our new album. I spent most of the day in the studio, went to my hotel room, practiced my guitar, worked out for an hour, then got all dressed up, met my girlfriends and the band and went out to a fabulous restaurant in town. Got drunk as skunks. And then went back to my girlfriend's and watched the live Kittie video. And my favorite gift was a beautiful, red-leather bound journal. And that's how I spent my birthday!

Barryeb asks:Do you have plans to release another collection of your videos or maybe a live show? On DVD?

shirley_manson_gurl: Yeah, we've been discussing all kinds of things like that; we were thinking of doing so when we came off the road in December. But due to some internal legal wranglings, we've been unable to. I don't know if anyone is aware, but our record company is in the process of being sold, which leaves us essentially label-less, but we're still bound by our contract to the label, which leaves us kind of frozen...

passivesoul asks: What are some of the guilty pleasures in which you indulge? Or has your existence as a "star" completely voided such things?

shirley_manson_gurl: Well, I'm not very good at denying myself guilty pleasures, but anyone who has been reading my studio diaries will be aware that I've been in a very strict regime lately. So I've been getting off on denying myself. But after the day in the studio, I get back to my hotel room at 2am...and microwave some popcorn, eat lots of chocolate...and essentially feel guilty...and then get back into the strict regime againÉit's a vicious cycle of torture!

Allaxis asks: Is the new album darker like the s/t, or is it like "Version 2.0," or is it something so incredibly amazing that you can't discuss or explain it? ;)

shirley_manson_gurl: Answer C please! At the moment it's too early to give a definitive answer, but so far it's heavier perhaps than "Version 2.0," but we might get bored with thatÉand who knows! Strip it down to bare minimalism.

ucsbgaucho2001 asks: I loved "Silence Is Golden" when you played it live on the Campus Invasion tour. Did you make any changes to it for the new album?

shirley_manson_gurl: "Silence Is Golden" is my favorite song so far by a million miles. And no, we haven't touched it since we recorded it, so it remains as you heard us play it back then.>

ithinkimparanoid2000 asks: Will there be any celebrity guest musicians on the new CD?? Rumors of a duet with Courtney?

shirley_manson_gurl: God, I'd love to sing with Courtney but I don't think we would be including anything like that on our record. We've had a hard time in the past distancing ourselves from "celebritydom" so I think this will be pure Garbage.

Onlyhappywhenitrainsinwi asks: Shirley, first of all I would like to thank you, you have helped me so much in my life. I just wanted to ask how you like Wisconsin? And will you be playing there next year?

shirley_manson_gurl: We'll definitely be playing here in Wisconsin for sure. And I've spent so much time here that I've grown to love it.

Aian_94123 asks: Do you feel that there is too much emphasis on physical appearance in the commercial part of the "Music Industry," or in society as a whole?

shirley_manson_gurl: Well, definitely in society as a whole, and the music business is merely a reflection of that. We live in a spiritual-less society in this place, at this time, sadlyÉtoo much emphasis on physical appearance.

Passivesoul asks: Why did you agree to be on the Jam tribute album? Are you a fan? And if so, what do you feel about the differences between The Jam, The Style Council and Paul Weller's solo stuff?

shirley_manson_gurl: Well, we did love the Jam, which is why we agreed to being involved in the compilation. I think we all consider Paul Weller to be a great songwriter. As far as analyzing the differences between his various bands, it would take me too long and this isn't the medium by which to do so.

imnotpunk83 asks: Ok Shirl, first off, you are totally amazing...Now for the question. When you are working on, or recording your songs, have you ever become depressed?

shirley_manson_gurl: Constantly. I find working in the studio severely depressing and I become extremely isolated, which doesn't help, but in the long run it's all worth it. And I don't think life would be as interesting without small bouts of depression.

Butterflyfiend asks: What ever happened to the b-sides album?

shirley_manson_gurl: Again, we had to shelve the idea for the time being due to our label's saleÉIt's a complicated issue but I think you get the idea.

DryiceX asks: What are your feelings on fans making remixes of your songs?

shirley_manson_gurl: Oh, we're totally in to it. And have over the course of five years received many incredible remixes by our fans. And in fact if you log on to our website, we have a link to some acid software which helps to facilitate remixing for our fans.

express427 asks: How do you feel about MP3s and Napster?

shirley_manson_gurl: Well again, anyone who's read my studio diaries will be well aware of my concerns surrounding MP3 downloading. I think that the issue is incredibly complex. And I'm hoping that all parties involved can come to some kind of arrangement where artist and consumer are both happy. As for the industries surrounding both parties, I hope they go to hell.

eloise07 asks: If you could be one person, from the past or present, for one day, who would it be?

shirley_manson_gurl: Ohh, god. Well, if I was to be a girl, I would like to be Mary, Queen of Scots. And if I were going to be a man, I would choose somebody flamboyant and witty, like Noel Coward.

Abushgrl16 asks: Do u guys have an official date of when the CD will come out?

shirley_manson_gurl: No. Don't ask questions like that! They make me edgy!

Broggikid asks: Who are your favorite book authors?

shirley_manson_gurl: Ohh, I have so many. Michael Ondaajte, Cormac McCarthy, William Boyd and Emile Zola.

Garbageoff asks: Hi Shirley...I love everything about you, including your outspokenness and political views. If you ever turn your back on the music industry (hope not), would you consider politics? You'd make a brilliant Scottish PM! Then I'd move from England to come and work for your cause.

shirley_manson_gurl: Never would I involve myself in politics. And that is my final answer on that subject.

nosebreak_1 asks: If u could be in one other band for the day which one would it be?

shirley_manson_gurl: Ohh, I'd be in the Beatles if I could turn the clock back. Definitely. I'd be John!

ucsbgaucho2001 asks: Have you found a name for your new album?

shirley_manson_gurl:We do...but we're not telling!

Samanthajored asks: Hi Shirl--are you going to make more garbage merch. for girls?

shirley_manson_gurl: Yes! As a matter of fact, I was discussing this very subject today; we've had lots of requests from fans for new merchandise. So there should be some up on the website before too long!

Dumbsky asks: If you could tell teenage girls everywhere one thing, what would it be?

shirley_manson_gurl: Be smart. That would be my one thing.

ucsbgaucho2001 asks:What did you think of Howard Stern when you went on his show?

shirley_manson_gurl: I love him. I think he's really funny and irreverent and he was an absolute pussycat to me and my bandmates. And really, you can only [be] debased on his show if you allow yourself to be.

Garbageoff asks:Hi Shirley! You've said, from a personal point of view, that the Garbage experience has been a Cinderella story. With the benefit of hindsight, is there one thing you'd change?

shirley_manson_gurl: Nothing. I don't believe in looking at your life past with any kind of regret. I think that's a waste of energy. I say you always look forward.

bunn_man_2000 asks: Have you ever beaten up guys? Have you ever lost?

shirley_manson_gurl: Uh, not technically. Verbally, yes. Physically, no, not really.

pixie_meatkc asks: Do u think female artists get treated with the same respect male artists do these days?

shirley_manson_gurl: Absolutely not. No. I think we're still treated like phenomena or secondary citizens. Either-or. But I do believe the climate will eventually change, the more female artists rise to the top. I don't believe we're without hope.

supavixen2 asks: Do you ever get writer's block? Or feel like you've written a song before??

shirley_manson_gurl: I completely believed that I had writer's block at the beginning of recording this time around, and I got completely freaked out and anxious and didn't write a word for quite some time. And then one day I walked into the studio and words came pouring out of me...and everything was fine.

rock_girl_112 asks: Given exactly 4 words, how would you describe yourself?