Explore Quotes by Fred Armisen

Everywhere I go, somebody says something to me. It's really nice.

People on the street comment on how handsome I am. You know, people stop and say how angular my face is.

If something seems like a little venue, don't treat it like that. Do it all. If you're sort of wondering why you're doing something at some location, just do it - any size theater, production, or whatever. It's all helpful.

I really loved touring with my band, but it felt like we would spend a lot of time playing in empty rooms - empty clubs. We had some good successes, but it's so physically hard to load up a van and drive all day.

The way James Franco goes to new projects, he does it the way an artist should, which is with a question mark. Like, will this work?

The bands that were big in '77, like the Clash and the Sex Pistols and Talking Heads, I got into them in the early '80s. And it changed my life. It got into my DNA.

I'd want to direct a video for Yoko Ono. As long as I got to work with Yoko Ono someday, I'd be really happy. I just think she's such a great artist - it would just be so nice.

Over the years, El Perro del Mar became this artist that, every record that came out, I just loved it.

I find it weird to use my own voice on TV.

There's no judgment on bands that continue on who aren't popular; some people get enjoyment out of it. I'm just not one of those people.

I spent most of my 20s playing music. I was in a band, and we worked really hard and did not get very far.

There should be comedians who perform only for robots - I'm saying human comedians that only perform for robots.

Ever since I was really little, I started doing a - I don't know how to put this - mentally challenged person on my street. I meant no harm by it, but I remembered how this person talked, and I did it for my mom, and she was not into it. She said, 'You can't do that!' But my dad really laughed.

One person who was interesting was Jello Biafra, who was - of all things - very professional!

For me, I would get so frustrated because I would see these other bands just whip by us.

Something about Portland just really resonated with me.

Discomfort is the way to go if you want to make something you feel is worthwhile.

We almost called the 'Portlandia' show 'Stumptown.' That was the original name.

I think a comedian has a more specific job. Whereas a musician can fall into different categories, you know, of making background music or doing a soundtrack or wanting to be in a band or writing the song, or writing your own songs. And then comedy is a very black and white thing. You want to make people happy.

I'll just say that there are times when TV shows, like 'The Honeymooners' or 'I Love Lucy' or something, where they're totally in their stride, and this thing happens, where you can tell they got everything they wanted. And it starts to look a little relaxed. No criticism to the shows whatsoever; these people are geniuses.

Surround yourself with people you like and respect; surround yourself with people you just want to be around and keep making things.