When you're younger, you see the people who are in power and think they must have that position because of some degree of skill. And as you get older, you realize it's not true, that most people in those positions are absolutely inept. And this naturally makes you feel better about yourself.

I think labels for the most part want to sign new discoveries so that that label alone is seen to be responsible for the rise of the artist. Not many labels want bands who have already made their mark, because their success is usually attributed to some other label somewhere else at another time.

That's why I do this music business thing, it's communication with people without having the extreme inconvenience of actually phoning anybody up.

Age gives you a great sense of proportion. You can be very hard on yourself when you're younger but now I just think 'well everybody's absolutely mad and I'm doing quite well'.

I lie a lot - it's really useful.

Each year of life brings us nearer to our decline, but I will continue to seek a listener until I'm dead in a ditch.

This world, I am afraid, is designed for crashing bores.