Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: Aggielife

Pete Wentz

How did you deal with your depression in the middle of recording and trying to jump-start your career?
PW: Not very well. I secluded myself. I refused to get on airplanes or buses. I stopped talking to all of my friends completely. I pretty much broke down in front of everyone, but in a very secretive way.

When you write lyrics, are you trying to capture a feeling, or are you supplying images for the music?
PW: I think I am usually trying to put myself together, figure myself out. I want to become a better storyteller, but for right now, it's just a cathartic thing for me.

How do you reach out to someone who is suffering from depression? What act or moment finally resonated with you?
PW: I don't think you can really reach out to anyone. They need to reach out to you. The best thing is to let them know you are there for them, but not to be overbearing. I think what resonated with me was realizing that at some point, I didn't want to glorify depressions. I didn't want to make it something cool.

Lately you've been playing up your role as the sex appeal behind Fall Out Boy, like not wearing a shirt in the "Thnks fr th Mmrs" video and posing for Rolling Stone. Was this a corporate decision, or was it time for you to capitalize on what you've been given?
PW: If you've ever known me, from day one, I never liked wearing clothes. I don't wear underwear often; it's just not my thing. I like turbulence. When you go on the cover of Rolling Stone, you know just as many people are going to hate you as love you for it. I like shaking people's perspectives. Pete Wentz still makes all the decisions for Pete Wentz.

What is your take on the word "emo" and its overuse in describing today's youth?
PW: It's inescapable. It doesn't affect my life one way or the other. We don't have meetings about what color to paint our nails or how to take over the world or anything…

How did your band mates support you during everything?
PW: The only one who knew was Patrick, I think. I lied to everyone and hid it. Patrick knew because of the words. I didn't speak to anyone at the time. They were there at the end and were just friends to me. Most of what goes on between Patrick and I is unspoken. It's a weird bond. If it weren't for them, I don't know where I'd be … bouncing into padded walls, probably.

Not many people would expect you to struggle with depression. Do you think that this makes coming forward even more important?

Continued...

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