A biography for Fred Armisenhasn’t been written yet.
“If something seems like a little venue, don't treat it like that. Do it all. If you're sort of wondering why you're doing something at some location, just do it - any size theater, production, or whatever. It's all helpful.”
“The worst art is when it's really convenient and comfy.”
“I've always been a fan of instructional videos. The bass-player ones are insane. The music on them is fascinating. It's not something you hear on CDs or would really ever play in bands. You listen to it and are like, 'What is happening?' It's this blizzard of notes in weird time signatures, and they're trying to teach you that.”
“I think I was a terrible husband, I think I'm a terrible boyfriend.”
“I don't think I've ever hosted anything in my life.”
“I feel bad for everyone I've gone out with.”
“I love driving. Listen to some music.”
“I have a problem with sweets. I have an inability to eat a just little bit. It's almost like I can't even enjoy chocolate anymore - I have to stuff it into my brain, cram it into my ears.”
“I can't relax. I'm not happy unless I'm working on stuff. 'SNL' is always a huge workload, as enjoyable as it is.”
“I'd want to direct a video for Yoko Ono. As long as I got to work with Yoko Ono someday, I'd be really happy. I just think she's such a great artist - it would just be so nice.”
“I actually, legitimately feel that I'm not busy enough. I want to be so busy that it's overwhelming.”
“There are bands that I am friends with, who will invite me up on stage. Like Les Savy Fav, who have had me on stage, and I have played on their record. There are a couple of bands like that. Yo La Tengo has invited me to play with them.”
“Wayne Coyne has put out Flaming Lips records in gummy bear skulls and all these different kinds of packaging that's really, really inventive. And that's what you should always do.”
“The Long Island experience is so strange. You're a satellite around the city, so the presence of the city is always looming.”
“I find it weird to use my own voice on TV.”
“I will always, no matter what, be a punk more than anything.”
“Something about Portland just really resonated with me.”
“Sometimes in Portland I'm like, 'Who is funding this city?' It's doing great - there's all these new shops; there's a synthesizer store. Where is this coming from?”
“I can only parody stuff I love.”
“Before 'SNL,' I would do stand-up, opening for Jeff Tweedy. It was worse than bombing in that people were dead silent.”