I never seemed to fit in. But it made me try to strive for things ten times harder.

I've seen foreigners really shift on their view of America, and that's hard for me to take.

People try to make a big deal, like I don't want to play my old songs. That's not it. I don't want to play my old songs if that's my only option. That's a different thing.

I've thought many times, 'I can't write this,' but on my own little planet I found the courage to write it because it was true. I put aside fear of Father being angry with me. It's hard though; the world pales in comparison with the stature of a parent. In some small-consolation way, my parents feel I'm helping people by giving them something to identify with. They feel proud in a sort of reverse way. My mom's proud of the fact that lots of kids look up to me.

The Smashing Pumpkins was never meant to be a small band. It was going to either be a big band, or a no band.

I've become a guy who's like a complaining, whining neurotic.

I met Scott Stapp when the band was first coming up, great guy. I haven't seen him for years, but a great guy.