Music is the career I’m lucky enough to get paid for, but I have other desires and passions. — Layne Staley

It was all about music, about getting your friends to come and see you play. I don’t see that same intimacy happening very much today. — Layne Staley

At home I’m just a guy who has interests that extend far beyond music. — Layne Staley

Music is the doorway that has led me to drawing, photography, and writing. — Layne Staley

I’m dumbfounded by me all the time. Wow! What a…. thrill…..and a joy — Layne Staley

I was in a band when I was 15. We were a glam band. Then I couldn’t afford to buy makeup. At the time that was the thing. — Layne Staley

We started this band as kids, and as time has gone on, we’ve grown and are learning to accommodate each others’ differences. — Layne Staley

There were a lot of drugs. We kinda just passed the time that way. For a couple of years we were all doin’ anything we could get our hands on. — Layne Staley

I don’t take part in it the way I used to–the bimbos, the free beers, free drugs, all that. That’s still there if you want it, but I don’t really seek that out any more. — Layne Staley

There are lasting consequences for using drugs. I’ll still be paying for my prior use. — Layne Staley

Drugs are not the way to the light. They won’t lead to a fairy–tale life, they lead to suffering. — Layne Staley

Drugs will have a huge effect on my work for the rest of my life, whether I’m using or not. — Layne Staley

I don’t think any drug that can cause brain damage, failing kidneys, hardening arteries, pain, and suffering should be made available. — Layne Staley

Andrew Wood’s death changed things for a few weeks. I probably got even heavier into drugs after that. — Layne Staley

Every article I see is dope this, junkie that, whiskey this–that ain’t my title. — Layne Staley

I don’t do much else but stay in my hotel room. — Layne Staley

Los Angeles, I don’t like that town. Too decadent, and it’s slimy. — Layne Staley

We write about ourselves because we know about ourselves. — Layne Staley

Whatever dramas are going on in my life, I always find that place inside my head where I see myself as the cleanest, tallest, strongest, wisest person that I can be. — Layne Staley

I’ve always looked for the perfect life to step into. I’ve taken all the paths to get where I wanted. But no matter where I go, I still come home. — Layne Staley

I’m not doing well. Don’t try to talk about this to my sister Liz. She will know it sooner or later. — Layne Staley

Our perception of songs that we’ve written… the meaning changes from day to day… to whatever stage we’re at in our life and careers. — Layne Staley

Being me is no different than being most anyone else, I guess. — Layne Staley

It’s just writing about things, feelings, not that we’re dark or depressed…just as much as anyone else is. — Layne Staley

My bad habits aren’t my title. My strengths and my talent are my title. — Layne Staley

We try to be real nice and friendly to people, but sometimes they take advantage of that. — Layne Staley