I'm definitely responsible for coming in with some basic chord changes, or ideas. Everybody in the band looks to me to come up with the basic seed, so it's not very productive to come in with nothing.

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

To me, music was about being accepted and escaping from this crummy existence.

I always thought Kurt Cobain was the perfect embodiment of the great alternative guitar player.

We were just a little immature in the past. I think we actually wanted to create difficult situations for ourselves just to be able to use that emotion for stimulation.

The difficulty, if you're in the world - and this is for anybody - is the eventual disappointment that comes with having to meet other versions of reality. Imposed systems that ask you to compromise or sacrifice things which you consider holy or sacred.

The reason I don't play any of the old songs is because I really honor my old band, and I think that those songs are best served within the context of that band.