'The first time I ever went to Gladstone's was the first time I went to Los Angeles, in 1990. I think it was probably one of the first times I'd ever been abroad and tasted good fresh seafood. The Charlatans' first record company introduced me to the place. Then, when I was in LA again in 1997, my friend Michelle wanted to take me to get some seafood. I'd dj-ed the night before and had $100 to spend. She drove me to this place and it turned out to be Gladstone's again. That was our first date. Michelle is now my wife and we like go back to Gladstone's together for a romantic meal. It's cool - now my favourite restaurant.
I always get lobster, Jack Daniel's and a few olives and oysters. You can't go wrong with that combination. I think whisky works with everything and lobster works with everything. I like my whisky because it makes me go mental.
Hollywood rules. I've lived in LA since 1998 because I didn't fancy living in London again. I had four years in London and then I moved back to Manchester for a bit. I wanted to move, but returning to London was like going backwards. I like to discover new places. A lot of people flock to LA, especially old rockers. I think my type is drawn to it because Hollywood's so cheesy and it's a bit plastic, but beautiful as well.
I realise that this place is not for everybody. Lots of people argue that they prefer New York but I think 'whatever'. I'm very happy living here with my wife and my dog. We're settled in the lifestyle that we've created for ourselves. Most of the time I pretty much avoid the day: I sleep through it and go out when it's dark.The smell of night life here is great and it's all very hedonistic. We're not into the celebrity scene here. They wouldn't like to hang out with me and my underground friends- they'd be put off by the dark clubs we go to. But we like it. You do get to see a few celebrities, probably when they park next to you in the car.
A typical evening certainly wouldn't be going to Gladstone's. We're more likely to stay in and watch the TV. Michelle and I go out on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays; I avoid the weekends like the plague. I like to go to a place called the Farmers' Market which is a bunch of restaurants. It's a bit like Camden Market, but the area has a big Jewish community and there are a lot of Jewish restaurants. I discovered matzo ball soup there.
I couldn't go to my favourite restaurant every night, so I go to Gladstone's for a treat. It's priced average to a bit expensive. It's by the ocean, you can sit outside and it has quite a bit of Hollywood history because all the movie stars have homes in Malibu and they've all been here at some point. I'm often on Malibu beach because I've joined a dog club here, so I walk my Yorkshire terrier and get my Jack Daniel's and lobster fix.
The drink-drive laws aren't as tough as they are in Britain; maybe four shots and I might be over the limit. I have two or three shots of whisky then I have to drive home. My house is nice, but quite modest - it only cost $250,000 - but my goal to get a house with a pool.'
The Charlatans' new album, Live It Like You Love It, is released on Universal on 22 July.
Gladstone's 17300 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California
The history
Gladstone's is one of the top 10 biggest grossing restaurants in the United States.
It originally opened in 1972 as a small restaurant in Santa Monica Canyon and moved to the Pacific Coast Highway in 1982.
The place
On entering the restaurant, famous faces smile at you from the Wall of Fame. There's sawdust on the floor and you can have your photo taken in a cut-out of a 1920s bathing beauty and a muscle man. Waiters sport shorts, T-shirts and big cheesy grins.
The food
Main dishes range from $19.55 to $26.99
Fisherman's Platter: red snapper, clams, scallops, shrimp and calamari, fried to perfection.
Shore dinner for two: lobster, roast chicken, steamed mussels, slab of beef ribs.
The Mile High Chocolate Cake is legendary.
The celebrities
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stevie Wonder, Kelsey Grammer, Anthony Hopkins, Peter Frampton, Cuba Gooding Jnr, Mel Gibson, Jack Klugman, Dr Dre...
The facts
Gladstone's sells 35 tons of crab a year, 65,000 lobsters and 19 gallons of clam chowder.
To book Call 001 310 573 0212; www.gladstones.com