Just because I grew up a white guy in America doesn't mean that's the music of my life.
But you have to give your whole life to a cello. When I realized that, I went back to the guitar and just turned the volume up a bit louder.
We obviously need more love in the world. And we obviously need more compassion and understanding. Our leaders need to really address these issues properly now.
As an artist you have the luxury of maybe presenting an issue in a certain way, as opposed to actually solving it.
No part of Manhattan these days really has the same vibe I get from a Ramones song or a Velvet Underground song.
'Rocket to Russia' is, I think, my favorite Ramones record. We reached our peak at that point.
I don't tolerate anything that runs slowly. Whether it be a phone, tablet or computer, it has to run at optimum speed.
Everything I do, I build a kind of confidence net - 'I'm able to execute this; it's fine.'
Cello is my first instrument, then piano, drums, bass, violin, recorder, saxophone, but I'd never play them live!
What had disappointed me at the time of the last tour, was to go on a worldwide tour, we were at some incredible places and we couldn't enjoy it, hadn't the time.
We were into Hendrix and Cream, who were like the heaviest bands around at that time. We just wanted to be heavier than everybody else!
It may take me a long time before I feel 'ready' to tour as a lead singer. I may never be ready... we'll just have to see.
There's been a lot of role reversal going on in the band. The roles people have been playing for a long time will always be there, but everybody's willing to try on different outfits.
I'm very moved by Renaissance music, but I still love to play hard rock - though only if it's sophisticated and has some thought behind it.
I could have gone on to be an engineer full time, except that there was more demand for my playing. But the love of working the board never leaves you.
If there is any justice in the world, then eighties rock will never again serve to blight humanity as it did in that dark decade!
I've recorded 25 or 30 albums. I know that sometimes when you work with producers who are kinda dictators, it doesn't help you make a better record.
Session work makes you more strict. You can't hit notes all over the place. You've got to make each one really count.
I knew school was stupid since the fifth grade.
I want to be a band that people haven't seen.
I was a schoolteacher for a while, and it was the worst job.
