I feel that there is a culture being built that is a celebration of agony. There is also a celebration of being an outcast, to the degree that you are segregating yourself in a negative way from people who may want to be your friend.

Every day, people say crappy things about my band or whatever, but I live a positive existence. I got through everything by virtue of having the same passion that I've had through the years.

I noticed the different kids were always put down by other people and it would cause them to become almost violent with themselves. It's not really necessary; there's a way to find strength in yourself, and for me it was writing. That was sort of my release and my escape, so the term 'Knives and Pens' to me was like a choice. You can either create, or become violent, and maybe go down a dark road.

I make more time to have fun in the life I'm living before I'm worm food.

Creating art or something beautiful makes you a more fulfilled person than they can ever be because they're caught up in what they hate rather than what they love.

Never ran away for the sake of scars.

You try so hard to make something that's fun and exciting, then all anyone wants to talk about is how no-one likes you. It gets very grinding. I had to let the chip I have on my shoulder about that go.