As a label, you have to treat every group and every record as a unique entity. I think that that has been our success, rather than relying upon a fan base.

We were excited when we sold our first 10 records. I always felt that if we could get the music out there, and if people became accustomed to it, then a substantial number of them would enjoy it.

The Minutemen were seen as more of an art thing than Black Flag, although I didn't see them that way. It confused people when we put out Saccharine Trust, too.

There are several books out on punk history, but I haven't read any of them. I was there.

Punk rock really came out of N.Y. as a philosophy before the groups were ever recorded. I had a kind-of intellectual interest in the idea of creating a new scene that could be a grassroots thing.

The biggest disappointment has been seeing the number of people in this business with very shortsighted views.

I still think the best metal bands have a blues feel. The first Black Sabbath album is kind of a bludgeoning of blues. Deep Purple also started out as a blues band.

The small companies who feel that the majors are a threat, or are predators, will use that as an excuse for their eventual downfall. Dont blame others for your own inadequacies.

Black Flag was formed in 1977. We first recorded in 1978.

Most good things happen with time; especially music, which needs time to breathe and to find its own way.

We've gotten involved in cat rescue we take them in and find homes for them. I've always loved cats. I saw how homeless cats were living out there. We take them in, put out flyers.

We sit and talk, quietly, with long lapses of silenceand I am aware of the streamthat has no language, coursingbeneath the quiet heaven ofyour eyeswhich has no speech

You can never let your data dictate design. If you do, you end up following what people currently do and never innovating.

[From a window in the Writer's Building at MGM, which overlooked a cemetery:] Hello down there. It might interest you to know that up here we are just as dead as you are.

For centuries many of the world's distinguished philosophers have assaulted Christianity as being irrational, superstitious and absurd.

I never wanted to feel I hadn't worked hard enough.

Truth is what the voice within tells you.

I choose to live until death, not spend the time dying until death occurs.

If I'd known it was going to be the last time he'd ever hold me, I'd have paid better attention.

That is a big question we all have: are we alone in the universe? And exoplanets confirm the suspicion that planets are not rare.

It's better not to argue with women... When people push boundaries too far, it's not because they are strong but because they are weak. But maybe weakness is not the worst quality for a woman.