Scott Ian Quotes

Powerful Scott Ian for Daily Growth

About Scott Ian

Scott Ian, born on December 31, 1963, in Queens, New York, is an influential American musician, lyricist, and writer, best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, and a primary songwriter of the heavy metal band Anthrax. Born to a Jewish family, Ian's musical journey began during his teenage years when he formed Anthrax along with drummer Charlie Benante in 1981. Ian's music was heavily influenced by bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, but it was the burgeoning thrash metal scene in New York that truly shaped his sound. Anthrax's debut album, 'Fistful of Metal' (1984), marked the band's arrival on the heavy metal scene, followed by seminal albums such as 'Spreading the Disease' (1985) and 'Among the Living' (1987). The latter, particularly the track 'Indians,' brought Anthrax into mainstream consciousness. In addition to his work with Anthrax, Ian is also known for his collaborative projects, including the supergroup Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D.), which he formed with Chuck Schuldiner from Death Metal band Death, and The Damned Things, a punk rock group featuring members from various metal bands. Ian's writing extends beyond music, as he is also an accomplished author. His books include 'I'm the Man: The Story of That Guy From Anthrax' (2000), co-written with Jon Wiederhorn, and 'Access All Areas' (2016), a travelogue documenting his experiences as part of Metallica's WorldWired tour. Throughout his career, Scott Ian has been instrumental in blending elements of thrash metal with various genres, making him a significant figure in the evolution of heavy metal music. His influence continues to resonate among musicians and fans alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."

This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-expression over conforming to societal expectations or hiding one's true nature for acceptance. The speaker is expressing a preference for being honest about their identity, even if it leads to disapproval from others, rather than pretending to be someone they are not in order to gain love or approval. It suggests that genuine connections and relationships should come from shared values and understanding, rather than superficial agreement or denial of one's true self.


"If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."

This quote by Scott Ian suggests that if one wants a task completed to their satisfaction, they should be willing to take responsibility for its execution. It implies a sense of self-reliance and the understanding that delegating tasks may not always yield the desired results due to potential misunderstandings or lack of commitment from others. In essence, it underscores the importance of personal involvement and accountability when striving for excellence in one's endeavors.


"Rock and roll is about freedom and rebellion and breaking the rules."

This quote encapsulates the essence of rock and roll as a creative, liberating, and rebellious art form that challenges societal norms and breaks established rules for self-expression and individuality. The spirit of rock and roll embodies nonconformity, authenticity, and freedom, encouraging its audience to question authority, break free from conformity, and embrace their unique identity. This quote serves as a call to action, urging individuals to express themselves fearlessly and passionately through the medium of music, in a way that transcends boundaries and unites people who share this spirit.


"There's no such thing as a perfect riff - they all need tweaking."

This quote by Scott Ian suggests that even the most excellent musical ideas, such as a guitar riff, are not flawless in their initial form and require adjustments to reach their full potential. It emphasizes the importance of refining and fine-tuning creative work to bring out its best aspects and achieve the desired impact.


"Everything I ever learned in my life, I learned by playing the guitar."

This quote emphasizes that for Scott Ian, personal growth, knowledge, and learning have been primarily facilitated through his experience of playing the guitar. It suggests a deep connection between music, self-discovery, and personal development, implying that the act of mastering an instrument can lead to broader life lessons and skills.


I'm not the kind of guy who sits around at home and writes songs. Once in a while I'll pick up a guitar and noodle around, but it's rare.

- Scott Ian

Kind, Guy, While, Noodle

I will absolutely say that Johnny Ramone was a huge influence on me. I'm a giant Ramones fan.

- Scott Ian

Will, Say, Huge Influence, Johnny

If someone wants to sticker a record for whatever reason, that's fine. But once it affects someone's opportunity to, you know, get that record, then I have a problem with it.

- Scott Ian

Opportunity, Reason, Affects, Sticker

As big as Metallica are, they're still not like a pop act. As big as they are, they're still not U2 or Lady Gaga. It's still underground.

- Scott Ian

Big, Still, Gaga, Metallica

A guitar for me is pretty much strictly in the context of writing songs for my band, coming up with ideas with my band, and then being able to perform those songs as best as I can on stage - that's what the guitar for me has always been.

- Scott Ian

Best, I Can, Been, Context

People think of Jews as the Woody Allen stereotype, the nebbishy kind of thing, but that's not the kind of Jews I know. I know plenty of Israelis and plenty of tough guys that are Jewish. So, I think it makes sense that Jews play metal.

- Scott Ian

Play, I Think, Allen, Israelis

Frank Zappa... was Beethoven for insane rock guys.

- Scott Ian

Rock, Frank, Beethoven, None

At some point around '94 or '95, 'Rolling Stone' said that guitar rock was dead and that the Chemical Brothers were the future. I think that was the last issue of 'Rolling Stone' I ever bought.

- Scott Ian

Think, Some, I Think, Stone

I'm certainly not a practicing Jew. I would never claim, 'I'm Jewish.' That's not the first and foremost thing in my mind, as far as who I am as a person.

- Scott Ian

Mind, Practicing, Certainly, Claim

Metal guys are huge nerds. A good percentage of them are either horror or sci-fi or comic book or fantasy nerds.

- Scott Ian

Book, Fantasy, Horror, Comic Book

What I love about 'The Walking Dead' is it's a human story, which is to me what makes the comic book so good, but once you jump from the pages of the book to the screen, the gore and the zombies have to look great.

- Scott Ian

Love, Book, About, Comic Book

Even as a kid, if I would come across something cool in the record store, that would be how I found out about bands. It's kind of the same way these days. In a way even less because there are no record stores to go to anymore.

- Scott Ian

Kid, About, Bands, Record Stores

I don't think any of our lyrics have ever been erotic in a sexual term, because I haven't really written, touched on, that subject too often. But, uh... I mean, I suppose they could point the finger at us for violence maybe in certain songs.

- Scott Ian

Been, Touched, Maybe, Lyrics

I kind of live in this weird world where I am exposed to a lot of stuff, but then again I am not exposed to a lot of stuff.

- Scott Ian

Kind, Again, Then, Exposed

To be honest, I'm one of the least-technical guitar players around. I just want a guitar to feel good and sound good. That's it, period.

- Scott Ian

Want, Players, Period, Guitar Players

My grandfather was Orthodox, and he was religious, but neither of my parents were. Of course, as they got older, it seems like they get more religious the older they get, even though they're still not practicing Jews.

- Scott Ian

Religious, Still, Though, Orthodox

I think the best riffs and the best songs come when you're jamming and having a good time.

- Scott Ian

Think, I Think, Having, Riffs

What is it about a zombie that appeals to me? I don't know. Maybe that it's just the most possible - I don't know - of all the supernatural entities.

- Scott Ian

Maybe, Supernatural, About, Appeals

To me, the guitar is a tool for songwriting, and it's fun, too. The day that it's not fun, that's when I'm not gonna play guitar anymore.

- Scott Ian

Play, Songwriting, Gonna, Tool

When you're younger - duh - you don't really have the tools to deal with certain things in your life.

- Scott Ian

Deal, Your, Certain Things, Duh

Music and songs are written at different periods of time, at different times in your life. They reflect the feelings you have and to be honest, I quite like having positive emotions.

- Scott Ian

Emotions, Like, Having, To Be Honest

Anthrax, it's something that gets you sick, it's horrible, strong. It's a heavy-metal band name if there ever was one.

- Scott Ian

Strong, Sick, Anthrax, Band

Why would heavy metal ever go away?

- Scott Ian

Away, Go Away, Ever, Heavy

Nobody gets into a band and thinks they're going to have a 30-year career.

- Scott Ian

Career, Band, Going, Thinks

I'm just not a big fan of the too-cool-for-school indie world. Metal bands have never been invited or been able to be part of the cool kids, and I like it that way.

- Scott Ian

Big, Been, Indie, Metal

I've always been a true believer that if men had babies, nobody would be trying to tell them what they can and can't do with their bodies.

- Scott Ian

Always, Been, True Believer, Believer

I could care less about sitting around and practicing the guitar for hours a day and trying to be the best guitar player on the planet.

- Scott Ian

Practicing, Hours, Could, Guitar Player

I don't even know who that person was in the '80s. I see pictures of myself from back then and I don't even recognize myself.

- Scott Ian

Myself, Back, I See, Recognize

There's a thousand other things I would rather spend money on than a car.

- Scott Ian

Money, Other, Would, Thousand

I love what I do, somehow I have been able to play in a band for my entire life and that is all I ever wanted to do. I love that I get to do that.

- Scott Ian

Love, Play, Been, Entire Life

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