We were never really good at piano, and people didn't hear us play the first time and go, 'Oh, my God, send them to Nashville'. We were gross and trashy and we played punk music. But we had a tenacity and an ambition. There was something there.

[on changing things up] I don't think it would serve us, our project, our fan base, the industry itself - if we just phoned it in and did what we knew was easy. It was a challenge for us.

[on 'Hearthrob', their 2013 recording] We are working our asses off and we are doing as many things as we possibly can. And we want to expose this record and our band to as many people as possible..because we're aware that next year it could be different. You know?

I know how I was born and I know that I have no choice. I know it may not show on the color of my skin, but I know it's in my heart and in my soul.

We're proud to be gay. But I believe that our music does not have sexuality. I don't think you have to be straight to identify with Bono or Chrissie Hynde.