In a recent chat with Hermann Li from Dragon Power, Polyphia guitarist Tim Henson talked about how his love for the powerful paper pretty much ensured that he would spend most of his youth either under house arrest or on probation.

“I was totally high on weed. And in Texas it’s strictly illegal.” Henson said. “So when I was 16, I got two possessions. And I spent most of my high school years on probation and house arrest. So I had a lot of time to myself, which I spent playing guitar. And looking back, couldn’t I have done illegal things and developed more social skills? Probably. That would have been great (laughs). But I also wouldn’t have been able to spend so much time on guitar. So I guess now is the time for us to grow as a band and as people and learn social skills.”

Henson also spoke a little about his parents’ reaction to his music career, saying, “My dad has been mostly supportive throughout my career. In the beginning, he was a little upset that I dropped out of school to do this. But when he saw that our first album, which we crowdfunded, had reached its goal, he was kind of on board and said, ‘Wow, you’re really doing this. And this is what you want to do. I support you.'”

Mom, on the other hand?

“She didn’t really get it until last year when I moved back to Texas. We built a crib and she was able to visit the house when it was finished and see the studio and all the things that are, I think, more tangible for parents. The feeling that they don’t have to worry about you anymore.

“That’s when she started to loosen it up a little bit, like, ‘Go back to school, stop getting tattoos! You look like you’re going to jail.’ I would come home and I’d put on like a turtleneck. And I’d cover my hands on Thanksgiving and stuff. And I’d just avoid my mom to avoid those negative comments. Because over time, that can wear on you. But these days, it’s more relaxed. And I think that’s because she doesn’t have to worry.”

You can watch the entire interview here: Li And Henson below.