I don't really know what inspires me to write the music I do, but usually, the music will set the tone for the lyrics.

On 'Van Halen,' I was a young punk, and everything revolved around the fastest kid in town, gunslinger attitude. But I'd say that at the time of 'Fair Warning,' I started concentrating more on songwriting. But I guess in most people's minds I'm just a gunslinger.

I mean it's funny, playing music, how of course you want it to do well, you want them to like it, but it's not competitive like an election, it's the Olympics, it's not a Formula 1 race. The Billboard charts are just to show you what people like.

You only have 12 notes. Do what you want with them.

Nirvana was huge, but it didn't appeal to everyone.

If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be.

Some people think a song without words isn't a real song. Tell that to Beethoven and he'll kick your ass!