"I see my role in the Bonzos as being the straight man, in many ways"

Neil Innes belonged to the British comedy rock band, The Bonzos. In this quote, he is referring to his role in the band as the "straight guy". This implies that he is the one who plays the major, sensible character in the group, providing a contrast to the other members who are typically more outrageous and comical. Innes' role was to provide a balance to the group, allowing the other members to be more outrageous and amusing. He was the one who kept the group grounded and offered a sense of reality to the group's performances. Innes' role was essential to the success of the band, as it allowed the other members to be more imaginative and amusing. Without his presence, the band would not have been as successful as it was.