We were gradually playing larger venues and in the early days PA systems were kind of non-existent. So to play loud, we had to use louder equipment. The PA systems back then didn't mic the instruments - only the vocals.
For me, writing is 75 percent procrastinating and 25 percent actually sitting down and working.
There is no reason to have problems between country and country, between government and government, when there is a separation of powers.