How do you see Audioslave fitting into the current rock landscape?
I’m an athlete at heart. I came up playing football and competing. But at some point, I grew my hair out and started playing music. Now I’ve channeled my athletic competitiveness into music. To me, other bands are the other team. I want no part of that. I listen to the radio occasionally and I have an appreciation for what’s out there, but I only want to listen to my band. Whenever I hear something I like, I start thinking about how it threatens my band. I enjoy it. I take it to the stage and compete there. Take [Rage Against The Machine vocalist] Zach de la Rocha: The guy left Rage to go do his thing, but now he’s like a guy on another team. The competition keeps it interesting as you get older in the game. It’s just like sports. I mean, I shouldn’t be here right now. I shouldn’t be current and be on the radio. I feel lucky. I’m 36. Tom and Chris are 40, and Brad’s 37. We’re the elder statesmen of rock. I remember when I was a kid and Mick Jagger turned 40. It was a big deal. Now I’m
