"I studied German at school. I lived in Berlin for two years and had a German girlfriend for five years, so I don't find speaking German particularly difficult. Singing was slightly more difficult."

"Anything that I write comes from the soul."

"Record covers helped me discover a lot of music that I wasn't aware of."

"I tend to like songs that are very emotional, that strike a chord with me emotionally."

"I don't write poems and put them to music. Just let things flow."

"The majority of the time I'm at home with my family, I play football three times a week."

"I didn't write songs for a very long time."

"I didn't expect us to be around after 25 years."

"People are People still gets played to death on '80s stations. It was our first big break in America. It's not exactly my favorite song."

"I like their darkness but I also like the pop-side of the Velvet Underground."

"I sit down and create atmospheres, start playing guitar or piano and just sing whatever comes out of my mouth."

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

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

"Music is really all about experimentation and lots of trial and error. It's just mind-numbingly boring until you hit on something that works well."

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

"Once I'd chosen the songs, it seemed like it would just be a question then of recording them. But it's a case of trying to re-invent the songs; taking them in different directions."

"Our music over the years has been very cinematic. It's surprising we never really got into film soundtracks."

"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."

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