I don't really have a favorite bass player. I listen to a lot of bluegrass. But then again, I'm not a typical bluegrass bass player. I was really into the Grateful Dead, and I still am - I don't listen to them too much, but for me they are a big influence.

I've written some poetry, but...songs have to be more poetic, and I've really gotten to this non-poetic sort of writing.

The worst thing I could be thinking is how could I be a cool bass player.

Right after I graduated, my girlfriend, who I had been going out with for five years, dumped me, and my grandmother died.

As long as we keep learning new music and getting better musically, there's a good chance that the record deal won't change anything.

Usually I don't think much in terms of interesting sounds. Although I think I want to get one of those whammy pedals, I forget what it's called and who makes it. It's got a whole bunch of different settings. You can play a note and it will raise the pitch when you push the pedal.

The guy we want to get is the guy who did the Aerosmith album which is coming out in two days, and a Chili Peppers album, and a couple of Pearl Jam albums. We want to get someone that will sort of bring out the high energy aspect more than the dreaminess that was on the last album.