I have to reign myself in a lot.

Each member does whatever they want with the song and it totally changes it from whatever idea I hear around it. It turns it into a Sonic Youth song and completely away from it being a solo song.

Lyric writing is an interesting process in Sonic Youth. There's three people writing now, and we've all had a lot of interest and involvement with expression through words

Buddhism has become a socially recognized religious philosophy for Americans, whereas it used to be considered an exotic religion.

I certainly don't sit around in the morning making pancakes listening to Whitehouse or anything.

I never go back and listen to the recorded document. The thrill comes when the balance can be attained. Everyone in the room can have a shared, communal rock experience.

Rock'n'roll saved my soul.

Every now and again, the alternative culture is cherished by the mainstream for what it is, rather than how it should be, like the mainstream popular music.

Hits are for squares.

I never do releases to try and make or break some contemporary band.

The band has a liberal philosophy - that's sort of a given.

When you change your perspective towards this world, you can find happiness everywhere.

If I have to produce movies, direct movies, whatever to change the way Hollywood treats older women, I'll do it. If I have to bend the rules, I will. If I have to break them, I will.

When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative.

The vision of time is broad, but when you pass through it, time becomes a narrow door.

What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.

My father was the only man I ever knew who really loved me unselfishly, who never used me for personal gain.

In our business, just getting to 40 means something...that's why I think sometimes you have to just live in the moment. You have to enjoy life to its fullest.

People think that I'm very serious.

If someone were to tell me I had twenty years left, and ask me how I'd like to spend them, I'd reply 'Give me two hours a day of activity, and I'll take the other twenty-two in dreams.'

I'd lie for you and that's the truth.