Just because you know umpteen billion scales, it doesn't mean you have to use them all in a solo.

I'm death obsessed. You know, I have death all over my house. I have a stuffed two headed sheep!

I was really, really wild in my early twenties and a bit self-destructive.

Basically I just had to say, 'Screw everyone around me - from now on I'm just gonna play what I think is important to me and our music.' So I gave the big finger to all the current trends in technical wizardry, and just went off and did what I felt was best for the songs.

For the 'Load' album, I was experimenting so much with tone that I had to keep journals on what equipment I was using. For 'Hero of the Day', I know I used a 1958 Les Paul Standard with a Matchless Chieftain, some Boogie amps and a Vox amp - again, they're all blended.

I think it's morally wrong to keep someone away from what keeps him happy.

If a guitar is too easy for me to play, it makes me too laid back. I like to battle with my guitar.