I loathe the idea of going onstage in a T-shirt and jeans.

When people meet me I think they're surprised to find out I'm not always angst-ridden.

I always hate explaining away songs, because for me they mean something, and for other people, they'll mean something absolutely different.

I lead two totally separate lives. There are times when I have to slip into rock star mode.

I will be the focal point for however long I decide to play. Half of me likes that idea and half of me doesn't, but once the adrenaline kicks in, I'll probably really enjoy it.

Anything that I write comes from the soul.

I don't think I've ever tried to be anything other than a weirdo.

I'm not advocating violence but I think somebody should shoot Simon Cowell.

It creates a conflict of interest - what songs would I use for me, and what would I use for the band.

I do a cover of a Velvet Underground song, and they were one of the most important bands, for me.

When I write love songs, people think they're really soppy - but I see love as a consolation for the boredom of life.

I could mend my soul no more than my face. Unless the gods helped. And why did the gods not help?

Do you know why the rich get richer? It’s is because they spend time with other rich people.

If you want to be successful. You must pay the price in advance.

Life was a lot simpler when what we honored was father and mother rather than all major credit cards.

I use rock and jazz and blues rhythms because I love that music. I hope my poetry has a relationship with good-time rock'n roll.

I can trust my friends... these people force me to examine myself, encourage me to grow.

Sometimes (at least in principle) God might allow some evil because doing so will prevent a greater evil, and sometimes He might allow evil because it will produce a greater good.

I think China will do nothing to obstruct it, and they probably will go along with it.

No doubt, intuitions deserve respect. ...[but] I think that it is always up for grabs what an intuition is an intuition of. At a minimum, it is surely sometimes up for grabs.

Oakland is home, and you always want to go home. Anytime you get the chance, you're happy to go home.