Things happened so fast. In some ways, it's better to come in second at first because it humbles you and you end up being focused and work harder.

With a hundred ways to do a dozen things, why not try it all?

I very often have night terrors. Just think of the worst possible situation, and it's a regular thing for me. I've died in my sleep twenty-three different ways.

One of the big songwriting things for me has always been: always think what you do sucks. Because the second you stop believing that, you suck. And that's a fact.

When the Strokes first started playing gigs, instead of getting into a costume for the shows, we talked about how we should dress every day, in real life, like we're playing onstage. I don't really care about clothes, but it's about wearing something that gives you social confidence. Or maybe helps you pick up chicks.

You hear about whoever throws the first punch gets the win. That's what happened.