People think I'm a miserable sod but it's only because I get asked such bloody miserable questions.

Cynicism and defensiveness are two things constantly levelled at me. Look, I've got time for people, I'm good mannered. I usually find that when you're down, nobody has a bloody minute for you. If I was a nobody, you wouldn't even talk to me. People, in general, don't like you being upfront and civil. They hate you for it. They label you a cynic 'cos you're reasonable.

I think there is a certain perversity in my music in that I continue, you know, to eat at the same ball of vomit year after year.

Jesus Christ was the biggest blight on the human race, he was. And all them socialists and communists - second rate Christianity.

Look, when I look back, from 20 onwards, I was actually having a pretty good time, I have to say.

L.A. is full of screenwriters. I don't know why. On many levels, it's such a thankless occupation.

As people buy less and less records, it's become more and more important for me to spend more and more on them - to lavish that much more attention on them. The Bad Seeds were always quite protective and old school, but Grinderman has opened us up to do anything and be shameless. We're not so precious about it.