I've been playing live gigs since I was 13. I really don't know how to do anything else, and please God strike me down.

I got into guitar because no parent will buy their eight-year-old kid drums, unless they're divorced and trying to get back at their wife.

I'm not so much of a joiner.

I break my back for music because it's something that I love, but I'm not going to break my back for a bank. I wouldn't want to be an ATM repairman; there are some things that just aren't worth it.

I write about my life and the lives of people around me and situations, and the idea's for each record to try to make you a better person, to understand the life that you lead more.

I think music is a selfish masturbatory event - for the listener, the maker, the candlestick...maker.

All I really care about is that I'm being honest and I'm real and I'm coming from a real place.