Hey man, how’s it goin’?

Good, Jesse. How are you?

I’m doin’ great! Thanks for taking time out for this. Can you tell me a little about how you knew it was time to start work on a new CD?

I always planned to make a new one. I don’t know. It was just right. I made the decision late in 2004. I had been writing some songs and coming up with some ideas. I’d been working them out with my band. It seemed like the time to record would have been early 2005. We were off of Capitol so I didn’t have to meet deadlines. I didn’t have people calling me and asking when the ”product” was going to be ready. It’s not “product” – it’s music. It becomes product when it’s done and it’s their responsibility to sell it. I know they have to sell things. I know they want singles. It’s not like that with me. I’m not trying to write singles. I’ll write music until it fills up the record. Some songs will appeal to a mass audience and some won’t. Some Beatles and Stones songs are like that. This was the first time in a long time that the urgency wasn’t about finishing the record. The urgency was about making a record exactly the way I wanted to, ya know?

That had to make it a more honest record, I guess.

Oh, I think so. I don’t know if it’s exactly more honest. It just wasn’t as much “mine” on the last couple of records. I’m happier in my life now. I went through a lot of crap and a lot of changes that I’ve put myself through over the last couple of years. Personal, musical, professional and physical. I’m at a place now where I feel good. I’m still pissy and still mad but I’m mad with a purpose and a foundation behind it. I know what I’m mad about.

When you write a new record, do you ever write songs solely based on fan expectations or is it always just to make yourself happy?

I don’t think anyone can always write to fan expectations. Doing what I really want to do is living up to fan expectations. People say this is like a comeback. I don’t know. Comeback is like you went somewhere. I guess I did. I went off into my own place for a while. People think I’m back. I’m more connected now than I have been in years.

The buzz for the “Hater” video is huge! That tune has also been dubbed the “Breakup Song of 2006″. I guess it just depends on which version of the video you see.

The one I enjoy has a Jesus-like character smoking, rolling a joint, stealing, surfing MySpace and hanging out with lesbians! Who’s idea was it to do that?
He’s not a nice Jesus! He actually has nothing to do with Jesus. He’s a creep. He just has the power of God in him. He can do anything he wants. He could do good stuff if he wanted to. He chooses to do bad stuff.

That video is going to get a reaction, especially to people who can’t open their minds up a little. The publicity on the video alone is awesome to help push a new record. Is this a case of “any reaction is a good reaction”?

I’m not worried about the publicity. I didn’t even think about that. I just wanted people to think. Sometimes you’ve gotta piss people off to get them to think. Hate and the term “hater” is used in so many different ways. What does it mean? A “hater” is someone who chooses to hate. If you’re calling someone a hater it could very well be pointed back at you. That’s the whole point of the song. The guy in the song is me but when you get hurt by somebody you’re hating back. That gets you nowhere. Some people are picking up on that aspect of it. Some aren’t. They think I’m just mad, but that’s cool to them! They’re missing the point!

Just buy the record!

Maybe, but I hope they just like the song. It’s a fun rock song.

After writing, recording, mixing and mastering – by the time the CD is out are you tired of the songs by then?

I’ve learned how to get around that. After it’s mastered and I give it away to get manufactured, I don’t listen to it for a few months. I just started listening to it again a couple of weeks ago. It sounds really great. I’m really excited about it. You can get too close to something, that’s for sure. I’m not anywhere near there. I’m not ready to get back into the studio and make a new record. I’m ready to go out and play these songs.

So what do you have in store for 2006?

The record’s coming out. I just finished a movie that’s getting a buzz called “Room To Breathe”. I play a creepy man. It came out really good. That’s going out to some festivals. Next year I’m going to tour on the record and just get out there. I’ve cleared up a lot of loose ends as far as legal things go with my ex-wife. I just won a custody battle. We’re going to retain full custody. Another ex-wife sued me and won so I’m gonna have to make some money and pay her! I don’t really care at this point. I’m just going to do what’s right and see where the chips fall. I’m a worker man. I’m not afraid of it. If work means picking up a guitar and going out there playing guitar, that’s a good job. I’ve had crappy jobs. I’m prepared to do ‘em again if I have to. I’m enjoying it more than I ever have, man. I’m at a point where I don’t take anything in my life for granted. That’s hard to do.

Thanks again for making time for this today. What would you like to say to your fans?

Always wash your hands before and after a meal! I’m just kidding! I hope you like the record and come see us!