I listened to oldies radio stations as a kid; lots of Kinks and Beatles and '50s hits.

I like thrash metal and black metal, stuff like that.

Growing up in Orange County, it was all O.C. punk, L.A. punk. Black Flag, all the SST stuff.

I'm just a total nerd, in all honesty. I'm a massive, insane record fan - that's how I got into playing music. That's why I wanted to make an album - I'm obsessed with how sides flow.

Madonna was my favorite when I was a little kid.

When I sit down and try to write lyrics first - I've definitely done that in the past - but most of the time, they come off as a put-on, or less genuine than you would think. I'm the kind of guy that if I overthink a sentiment or I overthink a statement, it's weird.

To me, success has already happened. I get to make records and live doing that. Success is that.

People are embarrassed by disco, but I love it.

Each album I do, I try to have at least a slight rule, whether it's the band has to get together and record live, or all guitars, all fuzz on, all the time. It's varying and slight, but yes, I like having rules.

I really like proto-metal, so stuff like Pentagram is really great, and that's more in the vein of Sabbath and stuff like that.