The only band I was really over-into was Cream. And the only thing I really liked about them was their live stuff 'cause they played two verses, then go off and jam for 20 minutes, come back and do a chorus and end. And I love the live jam stuff, the improvisation.

I'm just a normal schmo like anyone else.

Music is for people. The word 'pop' is simply short for popular. It means that people like it. I'm just a normal jerk who happens to make music. As long as my brain and fingers work, I'm cool.

I have selective hearing.

Holdsworth is so damned good that I can't cop anything. I can't understand what he's doing. I've got to do this [does two-hand tapping], whereas he'll do it with one hand.

There are really three parts to the creative process. First there is inspiration, then there is the execution, and finally there is the release.

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