I can only write from a man's viewpoint.

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.

It's funny: when I started playing bass in 1984, you had guys like Paul Simonon fron the Clash, John Paul Jones, Lemmy, and Nikki Sixx was the head guy in Motley Crue, and you had all this post-punk stuff like Magazine and Killing Joke where the bass sort of lead the way. Not that I picked it to sort of be a main dude, but it intrigued me.

When you're in a band, a marriage - whatever, it's kind of the same deal - there's a lot of things that you see, and people trust you with information about their lives. Call it a 'bro code' or whatever you wanna call it, but there are certain things you do not tell. At least, I don't.

'Mr. Brownstone' is always a fun song to play because it's got that beat, and you see people bouncing.

I don't know if I have a favorite song.

Whenever Boston comes on, I play air guitar.

When you start a band, you have to find people that are good, have the same sort of mindset as you musically.

Turn off the TV, turn off the Internet, just go out, and I bet you your life will get better really quick.

If you don't have a good rhythm section, your band is toast; you're a bar band. Good rhythm section, you've got a chance to get out of the bar.

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.

Lemmy Kilmeister is most certainly a rocker.

Left to my own devices, I tend to go darker and weirder, and it's fun.

Read books and keep informed. The conversation can get old if you don't have some good new topics to bring to the table.

'The Taking' is the closest thing to a 'concept' record that I have ever been involved with. Pain, loss, triumph, and redemption. Life. Bring it.

Being a rocker, to me, is equal to living as much of the truth as possible.

You turn road-gay on the road. After about 10 days, the fellas in your band start looking really good.

I went to Seattle U. Nice Jesuit school there.

I've never seen 'The Simpsons.'

When I sing with Loaded, I can't move at all. I'm playing guitar, and I'm singing.

Guns N' Roses is a weighty subject, but in the same breath, I don't take it that seriously.

I made money in my 20s, became sober in my 30s, looked around, and didn't know who I could trust for money advice.

'Chip Away' is somewhat of a rail against cable news and divisive agendas... all for the almighty dollar.

Being in a band is the best place I can think of to be as up-front as possible. If you let something stew, it'll grow into a mountain of nonsensical black mud in no time.