You become friends with your kids' friends' parents. That's just the way it's gonna be. And sometimes you luck out, and it's great.
I can only write from a man's viewpoint.
When you're in a band, it's a close-knit thing. There's a lot of emotional stuff.
People in Seattle - and I'm speaking from experience - are indoors more. It used to just rain a ton, and as a result, you'd be inside listening to music all the time and playing. You'd all rehearse at each other's houses and share ideas. There was no competition. When I got to L.A., I was really stunned by the competition.
I think you can tell stories and give perspectives and yet still keep stuff for yourself, too. I keep a lot of my life private, even in a public forum like writing.
I didn't have any work to do, and I had files of my personal and Guns N' Roses financial statements for the previous eight years. I wanted to learn how to read these, but I didn't trust anybody. I just got a lightbulb in my head and said, 'I want to go to school.' That began my journey, taking accountancy and business classes at Seattle.
When the record company pays you an advance, it is just that - an advance. And it's at worse rates than any bank would charge you to pay them back.
In rock n' roll, we don't sell records at all like we used to. Yet the artist still has to pay to make records. So you've just got to get out on tour and be smarter about your merchandising.
I saw some really amazing stuff with Axl. We worked really well together. We were good friends. And I hope to perhaps have that friendship back one day, although it's not something I wait around for.
Axl's favorite record in 1987 was 'Faith,' by George Michael.
I started playing in punk-rock bands and touring when I was 15, so I missed high school.
I'm not Cormac McCarthy, but I can get my point across in a thousand words.
I'm really not about changing my image.
I saw the Clash in '79 at the Paramount in Seattle, and it changed my whole life.
Playing with Iggy pulled me back in for a while and reminded me of what I love about music.
I find in my career that I never know what's going to happen in two months.
I don't have resentments towards anyone I played with or to the guy who bullied me in the sixth grade. I've worked through it.
Is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that important to me? No. Is it something I've aspired towards? No.
When you're a musician, you are around your peers a lot, like Slipknot and Alice In Chains... you name the band. We're all just kind of friends.
Any musician in any band - for a really good band - you know your part in the band.
