He sits on the terrace of the Hamburg Market Hall. Within a couple of hours he's be onstage with his group Nova Mob. A member of his German support band is trying to draw the enigmatic one into conversation. Hart is polite, but reserved.

WHEN his admirer realises that he's barking up the wrong tree, he smiles sympathetically and says farewell: "I'll leave you alone. Goodbye Bob." Realising that the numbskull fan has confused him with his former bandmate Bob Mould, Hart acknowledges him with barely a smile.

The break-up of Hüsker Dü in the late Eighties was possibly one of the most tragic events in rock history. It certainly seems that way for Grant Hart, and some say he's still recovering from the shock. Hesitantly, trying hard to retain a nonplussed façade, he talks about his relationship with guitarist Mould. It is an ongoing involvement, but obviously their friendship has been somewhat strained since Hüsker Dü split up:

"BOB and I continue to work together as business colleagues - after all Hüsker Dü records are still selling. I've tried several times to resume our friendship, but Bob always seems to reject me. It's very difficult. I expected our relationship to develop over the years, both on a personal level and on a professional basis. I really thought we'd work together again, but as time goes on, I've realised that just isn't going to happen. It's very disappointing. That's all there is to it."

It's obvious that Hart finds questions irksome. As such, he never goes into any great detail with his answers, replying with an almost laboured patience and precision. As with so many other great musicians, he refuses to interpret his work. Asked to explain the meaning behind the melody in his songs, he shrugs with irritation, and replies in clipped tones:

"There is no meaning behind my melodies. I don't think about how to write a song in a melodic way, because there is no song with out a melody for me. An artist does not have to reflect about his style, because it is a style that comes naturally, without preconception."

In the meantime, after his solo album, "Intolerance", and Nova Mob's debut, "The Last Days of Pompeii", Hart has sufficient clout to be able to include some of the old Hüsker Dü favourites in his live set, most notably "Pink Turns To Blue" and "Never Talking To You Again": "During the first few years after Hüsker Dü's demise, I refused to play any of the old songs, because I wanted everyone to know there had been a break, and I didn't want to live on Hüsker Dü forever. There had to be a complete break. I had to make people understand that I couldn't just play all their favourite Hüsker Dü songs at concerts, but at the same time I knew that's all they wanted to hear. Now, however, I feel more free to play those numbers."

NUMEROUS underground bands still refer to Hüsker Dü as their most overwhelming influence, and the appeal of the band's cathartic music is as strong as ever. Truth, so their songs tell everyone, will always be the truth for you.

The truth today is that Nova Mob don't have a record deal. In an age when any school band can rattle out a self-financed CD, this seems slightly absurd. But when Rough Trade America went bankrupt, Nova Mob's contract was dissolved at the same time.

Fortunately the independent label Big Store grabbed the EP, "Shoot". For Grant Hart fans, this is a true indication of his abilities as a song-writer and musician of the highest standard. He writes from an autobiographical point of view: about pain and anger, love and hate, alcohol and heroin. As a major influence on the current alternative rock scene, Hart appears somewhat bitter when asked to comment on flavour-of-the-year, Nirvana:

"They're Number One. They're the status quo. I read a few of their lyrics, and they seemed like total nonsense to me!"

At this point, it's obvious that Hart wants to draw the interview to a close. SO I ask him one final question: does he regard himself as a perfectionist?

"No, I wouldn't describe myself as such, but I do like things to be done prudently and with care. I hate carelessness."

With this parting shot, Hart flashes me a rare smile, lights a cigarette and disappears