I grabbed my drummer's cymbal in my teeth just as he crashed down on it with his sticks-I blacked out. I was a punk in those days. It was in Seattle. I still have all my teeth too, it's amazing.

I had my dysfunctions, but music gave me peace and joy. I never felt in tune with the world. My parents always saw me as an artist, and that greatly influenced me. My art was my autonomy.

I've also been writing for other artists, producing other artists, doing some country stuff. Those lyrics I tend to leave more universal.

If we didn't live in a society that told us we're not OK if we're not making 100 grand a year, I think we'd all be a lot happier.

I love Chrissie Hynde and Mick Jagger. Someone at Capitol pointed out how much my inflections are similar to Jagger's.

I know my ambitions are big, but you've got to have something after rock and roll.

A long term goal is to encourage students to start doing concerts in which I or the other artists will come back at the end of the school year to see their concerts.