We were 6 feet under. A lot of people gave up on us, including fans and critics and show promoters and record labels.

I'm not looking for sympathy, just understanding.

This is my dream. I ain't giving up. I see a band like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and they've had their ups and downs, but they've continued with heart. We look up to that. I see Papa Roach being around for another 15 years. We've always wanted to be a career band.

For us, selling a million records in 2005 is the equivalent of selling 2 to 3 million records (five years ago). Rock records aren't flying off the shelves like they used to. Hip-hop and pop are so huge. (But) everything's on the upswing for us.

Who was the fool, who the wise man, beggar or king? Whether poor or rich, all's the same in death.

We were 6 feet under. A lot of people gave up on us, including fans and critics and show promoters and record labels.

We really refocused ourselves. I didn't want to live my life in a dark shadow all of the time.