I feel like we're always on the edge of someone standing up and saying, "Hey, the emperor's naked." I'm expecting that any second. But we're pretty lucky that way. The longer you do this, the more treacherous it can be, and the more pitfalls and sort of bad diversions you can find to paint yourself into a corner. But with every record, we try to change the situation, yet still keep it comfortable, and we're lucky to work with people who are inspiring to us who'll give us that extra push. It's nice to make records that are appreciated.

Alan Sparhawk

Categorized in : People Giving Nice

There are people in poverty who, if they have the gumption, say, "I'm leaving here. I'm gonna take three jobs and make it." There are definitely people who do that, and it shapes the rest of their life. And that's almost as unfortunate as someone who says, "Why bother? I'm not even gonna try." There are people consumed by that, and I've been affected by it. It's been a detriment for sure. It was ridiculous, and I don't want to see anyone go through that again. It makes me compassionate, and when I see it, it makes my shoulders tense up, and you remember it.

leaving trying people

Most people don't know what it's like to be poor, and to live in poverty. To live in a situation where everything around you - every opportunity is shut. You don't have anyone showing you how to rise above, you don't have any resources, and everyone around you is losing that battle too, then yeah, you want something that you have control over that makes you feel like you're running your brain for a minute.

opportunity running people

Obama administration has been the most narcotics-jailing administration ever. I just think it's so ironic and underhanded. It's so contrary to the consciousness and the feeling of the rest of the country. With a Democrat running things, it's still just the same things going on.

running country thinking

We're getting bombarded by the most polarizing reactions. As much as the punk in me likes it, I'm really surprised by the weird energy that comes at you when people talk to you like that. I mean, I know there are people out there who loathe me and loathe Low, but they stop short of broadcasting it. It's just interesting to see that line getting breached.

mean people interesting

I'm ashamed that we've progressed as little as we have sometimes. I think the template that every band looks at is The Beatles and how much they progressed in six or seven years. But if you're seeing it, good. Hopefully we're evolving. It's hard to tell from here.

seven sometimes thinking

We have a few artists that seem to sell enough to pay back what i... by Alan Sparhawk

We have a few artists that seem to sell enough to pay back what it costs to make a record.

records cost artist

Anybody who's putting out records is probably not making money at... by Alan Sparhawk

Anybody who's putting out records is probably not making money at it.

making-money records

We all know people who have worse fates. What do I have to complain about for Christ's sake? I have a beautiful wife and kids, and all this music, kids are paying my bills.

fate beautiful kids

Believe me, man, there are people who are going to have way more... by Alan Sparhawk

Believe me, man, there are people who are going to have way more troubles mentally than I am.

men believe people

I'm trusting everyone around me who seems to be confident and hap... by Alan Sparhawk

I'm trusting everyone around me who seems to be confident and happy with what we're up to.

be-confident seems

As strange as it may sound, I think I'm a lot more at peace with the fact that you can't guarantee you're going to be all right [at] any time.

guarantees sound thinking

I don't really like ska. by Alan Sparhawk

I don't really like ska.

I actually like taking a mic and plugging it into an amp and giving it to a kid to see what they do, 'cause they flip out. They're way more in touch with their voices than we give them credit for.

voice giving kids

Most of the time when musicians get together, there's always that variance - always someone's a little ahead of the beat, someone's a little behind, you just hope it meshes.

musician together littles

I've got a real love-hate thing with the saxophone. I've got to b... by Alan Sparhawk

I've got a real love-hate thing with the saxophone. I've got to be careful.

saxophone hate real