As I get older, I realize a lot of the things I could have done - things that I didn't think were so great at the time - actually would have been enjoyable.

I do need to loosen up a bit, and that usually does come with old age. That's the intention.

Ownership and control is important, because if you don't own what you do, all sorts of stupid stuff happens to it, and people spend good money on garbage.

A lot of people at my school could play the "Stairway to Heaven" guitar solo, but they couldn't play three chords of a Ramones song if their life depended on it because they didn't have the strength or ability to do it. But all I did was practice that, and the style that I eventually fell into is more focused than people would actually imagine.

When I was a teenager, I learned that in order to play guitar like Johnny Ramone, it takes a huge amount of physical effort.

The French were always masters at mid-range. And I like the attitude.

Most people just give up with time and go, "I'm a victim." The only reason I've got the reputation for delays and spending a long time on things is because I just don't stop.