Brothers By Choice

August 14, 2002

18x24 inches

©Ross Halfin photographer

I like the title because I think it really fits the painting. The way they're all standing and the positions and expressions (I feel) really portray the way the band is, and works.

Tom is kind of on the outskirts, to the back a little, leaning in and looking over them all.

Steven (of course) in the middle with that face he makes - I mean the "I'm the greatest, watch me smile" face- being, as always, the grand poseur and the heart of the band.

Joey is very close to the heart of the band, leaning into Steven. They're like the opposites - the singer and the drummer-and it's like Joey's tying the picture together by purposefully being physically close to the other end of the spectrum.

Brad is kind of like Tom but more passive - just there on the end and that's fine with him. He's musically close to Joey as part of the rhythm.

And Joe, I dunno, Joe is like, "This is my spot and I'm not moving for the fuckin' earth", right there next to Steven, not quite in the middle but close enough, solid as a rock. And that's just how I see it. I could be totally full of it, but it's the perfect representation of how I personally see the guys as a band.

I really like this painting.-from Blue Hearted Lady