In eras past, mainstream culture was blandly, blindly complacent, so underground music was angry and dissatisfied. But now, mainstream culture isn’t complacent, it’s stupid and angry; underground culture reacts by becoming smarter, more serene. That’s not wimpy—it’s powerful and productive.

I really believe in the power of music - and I mean literally the power of musical tones - to rearrange the way you can think.

People shared everything: information, equipment, their floors, whatever. There was strength in unity.

The American indie underground made music for like-minded people who thought for themselves. Thinking for yourself is intrinsically subversive.

In eras past, mainstream culture was blandly, blindly complacent, so underground music was angry and dissatisfied. But now, mainstream culture isn’t complacent, it’s stupid and angry; underground culture reacts by becoming smarter, more serene. That’s not wimpy—it’s powerful and productive.

I have this theory, bands with enigmatic lyrics attract crazies.

I would roll out of bed and immediately start working, and keep working until it was so late at night that I couldn't stay awake anymore. Then I'd go to sleep and wake up the next morning and do the same thing all over again. I did that every day for three years.