Andrew Vachss Quotes

I start with something that makes me angry or confused, and then I write about it. It's a form of self-help.

I think I cry when I'm angry. I let it go that way.

The anger and the creativity are so closely intertwined with me, and there's plenty of anger left.

Experiencing sadness and anger can make you feel more creative, and by being creative, you can get beyond your pain or negativity.

Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence.

I turned to music originally because of my past and needing a release or an outlet to get out anger or frustration or hurt.

I tend to write songs critiquing myself. The best way for me to deal with stuff is to write a song about it... That's not to say all my songs are like that.

I've always been one of those people that, if I am angry, I just hold it in. And I always kind of, like, wrote it in a song and put it aside for myself because it helps me get it out. It's almost like exercising; it's almost like that for me.

I've always viewed writing as an outlet for being vulnerable and all that comes with that. You are able to let things all out.

When I am angry I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart.

I've found, in my own writing, that a little hatred, keenly directed, is a useful thing.

Part of my therapy is to write.

I don't need therapy. I'm not going to see a therapist; comedy acts as my therapy. I put my problems out there. I talk about them. I talk about everything before anybody has a chance.

Singing gives me a lot of energy.

I see writing and acting as different parts of the same continuum. Writing is better for intense emotion. If you're very angry about something, you shouldn't present it as strongly when you're acting. But if you're really angry and writing about it, that's the best way to get it out and across.

Music inspires me.

So I'm not worried about the emotions I carry with me, because I'm happy that I have them; I think it's good for the work I do. The emotions that are not healthy are the ones you hold inside, like anger.

Listen, Bruce Lee fought out of anger. That's why they call it the 'Fists of Fury.' Michael Jackson danced with fury. I do stand up out of fury. I'm not mad at anybody. I'm not mad at any human being because I'm a human being.

I went through a period where I just wanted to punch everybody. Since then, I've had a lot of therapy and I've figured a lot of things out.

I can't say that I fully relate to things that I play. Sometimes it's nice to spend half the day crying; then you don't have to do it in real life.

If you have a little sensibility or a heart, you have all the reason to be depressed once in a while. But the depression is like a motor for creation. I need a little bit of depression, a bit of acid in my stomach, to be able to create. When I'm happy, I just want to dance.

Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation.

I think the most important thing about music is the sense of escape.

When I sing, I think mostly about the music. But I know that, through singing, my body shows everything that I am. I am a very passionate man and I suffer a lot and have a lot of joy also. In my opinion, it is very important for me to find this stimulus and motivation for singing.

I only ever really take out my guitar when I'm miserable, which isn't necessarily a very good time to do it.