You've said yourself that you don't really need hits in America. Why do you still tour here?
I like the vastness of this country. In between each city when you're on that tour bus some of the stuff you see is stunning. It just took me awhile to understand the corporate nature of the music business over here. I never really understood why I would have to get up at nine o'clock in the morning, go down and see the guy who owned the local record shop and meet his ****ing wife and fat kids.
What do you think the band has offer to an American teenager who is seeing you for the first time?
Nothing. Don't come and see us if you're expecting anything. I can't offer anybody anything apart from the music that's coming out of the speakers. And if they listen to that and they find some meaning in the songs, good for them.
You and your touring partner Ryan Adams are both pretty opinionated guys with healthy egos. Do you get along?
Well, I'm pretty and he's opinionated. I got a lot of respect for the man. He's a great guitar player. He's a little eccentric. He wears stripy socks and platform shoes, but not everybody's perfect. I wouldn't be on tour with him if I didn't like him.