Stone Gossard

“Dave played an important part in our growing, but change occurs.”

“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.”

“My daughter loves to do art stuff. As a father, I like to play with her. We break out the big pads of paper and the glitter and all the stuff. She likes to do what she likes to do. I want to do something, too. So I've just started using her same materials - a lot of crayons, a lot of sparkle, charcoal, pencils, markers and glue.”

“I like myself. I think I'm cool. But I think when you're in a band you take on a role within the band, and I think people over the course of years can identify those roles as almost being bigger than just the individual. I don't know. It's kind of hard to talk about.”

“I like to write music. And I think exploring with lyrics and figuring out how to make complete songs is fun. I think I have a take on it. I don't know if it's great, but it's an interesting take. It's original.”

“The past is filled with people who aren't traditionally thought of as fantastic singers singing these songs that capture people; songs like 'Louie Louie.' I just aim toward that, and I think I've gotten better at it.”

“Raising awareness, changing the marketplace, effecting spiritual change - whatever it is that you decide is your thing, go for it.”

“I liked the banana-seat bikes with the high handlebars - maybe a card in the wheel could have been part of it.”

“I'm in a rock band - I don't have a day job! I am spoiled... a lot.”

“Eddie is a natural leader. Jeff and I have been very much in control of previous bands we've worked in. But the way Eddie grew into being the leader of this band was the most gradual, slow and respectful process that I've ever been involved in.”

“As a songwriter, it's kind of hard to listen to your own stuff with clarity.”

“That's not to say Eddie's never done anything malicious. But he never grabbed power for power's sake. His position was gained only because he has that energy, and that's naturally where he ended up.”

“I think that's one of the biggest problems in rock is people thinking too much, putting too much emphasis on getting things perfect or completely sorted out. Sometimes that sound of not having everything sorted out is kind of cool.”

“You know, at 35 or at 38 or 40 you really start to see what your body could look like if you just don't do anything all winter long. So that's another motivating factor, our vanity.”

“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.”

“I think people will always love a heavy Sabbath riff because it's fundamental to rock.”

“If you have a lot of nature in your city, it becomes a more enjoyable place. That's my own feeling about it.”