since he was a kid. I could understand where he might be a little weird about things. Like George, John, and Josh didn't really care cause they all got their stuff together quickly afterwards.
Mud: Ok, you wrote "Lifeloss" on Automanipulation, right?
Arty: Yeah.
Mud: It seems like there is a similar type of pattern between that and "You're So Great", with the going through the ages and where you are at in your life at different times. Like following through on a timeline. Did you realize that when you were writing it?
Arty: No, actually George pointed that out, but George is also obsessed with age. I think its just what I think about. I didn't really write songs when I was a teenager so I never really wrote songs about teenage stuff, but I find that real life-like "Oh, my god I got to pay my bills.", "I've got to pay my rent.", "My mom doesn't do my laundry anymore." type issues are what really affect me. Also this dream of being able to play music for a living and not having to be like everyone else. I see my alt friends and they're like normal people with normal jobs and some of them are getting married and shit like that. I want that, but on the other hand I want to have a different life too, and its sort of about that. That struggle between trying to keep your own identity and not having to get a 9-to-5 job and be like everyone else and do what you love to do. So few people are able to do that, its extremely rare. I actually wrote "Lifeloss" after I got off tour with Shelter and I talk about reincarnation, that's what that song is about. Being reincarnated, you know, what the fuck did I live my life for? It didn't do me any good, I just fucking gotta do it again. Its sort of pissed off style, because those guys really infected my head. They tried to drill it with a lot of shit, and I was just like, "Fuck off." "You're so Great"

was originally written about someone else and then it became more autobiographical. It became more about where I'm at and what I'm doing. About what it takes to be the person that does what they love to for a living. It takes more than just being talented. You have to be at the right place at the right time and kiss the right ass. Having to be nice to everybody, I think, is just a bunch of bullshit.
Mud: So now, getting back to the age thing, with "Born In The 80's", are you more scared of getting older or is it about realizing you're getting old and these kids that a few years ago were young kids and now they are getting older and you see, you watch them getting old and it reminds you more and more of yourself... you're seeing kids born ten years after you and they are, kinda, finally being able to relate to you a little bit more...

While in Tower Records Arty gave me some vary important tips I thought I should pass along to you...
How to read a fanzine:
1. look for a review of your band
2. look for a review of your friend's record
3. look for your name used as a reference in another bands review
4. look for review of band you hate hoping it's bad
5. read friend's bands interview to see if you or your band got mentioned (if not, make a mental note never to mention them on stage or in interviews)
6. read interview of a band you hate hoping they say something stupid
7. check top ten list for yourself
8. wipe and flush