The song which would become “How The Story Ends” began in 2001 as a tune called “The Petty Principle.” 

At the time, I’d only written three other songs (“Darkest of Days,” “Start Anew,” and “Unspoken” ) since the 1950’s-rock’n’roll-inspired tunes I was recording in my parents’ master bedroom at age eight.

The latter two (both ballads) would appear on Dog Days, my first full-length solo release in 2008. By this time, I was specializing in acoustic, singer-songwriter fare, but this song was always firmly rooted in my love of aggressive rock—particularly that of Nine Inch Nails...