I had been with the label since I was 21. The label wanted shiny pop but I didn't. I found a little independent and we've got all these great reviews in England and now it has gone gold.

Within three months I had gone from being this black sheep of the town to suddenly becoming a pop star.

I came from a small town and at school in one class there was me, a member from Depeche Mode and someone who went on to join The Cure. That was all in one class of 30 kids.

When you have a creative mind it doesn't stop going.

It is interesting seeing young people these days and watching how unimportant music is in their lives compared with our generation.

I think the world is a dead carcass and I think the purpose of human beings is as maggots.

Instead of thinking that's a nice tune, you start thinking is it the right pace, is it the right tempo? That is the death nell for artists.

I wasn't good at being affable. You get beyond that and realise the attraction in any human being has more to do with what they give to someone rather than just being face candy.

When you find yourself on stage singing and you are embarrassed about what you are singing in front of your peers, then you have to think about your priorities.

I have never done any other job. I have sung in bands since I was 15. I left school completely unqualified. I have no other training.

I was a single parent, and I was prohibited from working.

The courageous attitude of a leader awakens the dormant attitude of followers. The dormant attitude of a leader weakens the passionate attitude of followers. Leadership determines everything.

It's great to have him watching my back without standing in my way.

I have the best memories as a kid eating ice cream. It was a family tradition that I had with my father. It was nice.

The best part about using success as revenge means no 25 to life.

You have a lot of people on the run and really don't have time to sit down and eat a balanced meal.

I want my body to help fertilize the growth of a cactus or cliff rose or sagebrush or tree.

What Wikileaks exposed is kind of superficial in a way.

If we wait for the governments, it'll be too little, too late; if we act as individuals, it'll be too little; but if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.

Don't ask me how I am,' I blurt. 'Please.' I want to keep feeling good. Just because the lights are on doesn't mean I have to look.

Poetry is the first and last of all knowledge - it is as immortal as the heart of man.