ed to be home for them. They are older now so it's
much easier for me now and I enjoy touring more
now than I did in the earlier years.
Seven full length albums – does the process get any easier each new record? Or do you just
get better at it?
The process does change. Usually it's
the recording equipment that changes. Yes we definitely get better at it ourselves. From song writing to
knowing how we want it to sound on the recording.
We are pretty seasoned at this point, very professional. I try to nail my parts in 1 or 2 takes. I like a lot of
pre-production and knowing what you're gonna do as
opposed to writing in the studio and over experimenting. I truly do love recording!
You‘ve toured all over the WORLD –
Canada (eh?), Europe, and Japan – what can you
tell us about how the fans are different in those areas versus the US?
There's a great appreciation from other fans in other countries for sure. And I hate to say it
and have fun! Even our pics aren't the normal tough but most of the world has better taste in music than
guy metal band photos. It's ok to have fun and even the U.S. We have so much radio rock, hip-hop and
smile!
pop shoved down our throats while so much good
music goes unnoticed. I'm not a fan of radio and very
Any of your songs really speak to you on little new music excites me anymore.
a personal level (or is that too touchy-feely a question for a Metal band)?
What is the smallest crowd you can re We're an open book and very secure member playing for? How about the biggest?
as people. We don't have to put on the tough metal Smallest...probably 3 people. Largguy front. I pride myself on being real and don't mind es…several thousand, probably somewhere between
getting personal. Yes our songs often have deep 5,000-8,000 people.
meaning and connect with the fans and ourselves personally as well. We have had fans tell us how our You guys typically tour 9 or so months
songs have helped them and even saved their lives out of the year, did I read that right? What kind of
before. On a personal note the song that got hard for grind is that for you, especially after 20 years?
me to play several years ago "Kill Your Children." When it's a fun tour it's no grind at all!
The song is about divorce and broken families and We love what we do! But yes sometimes you get
the effects it has on the kids. I remember playing in tired, or sick and worn out. Luckily we get to party
Corona, California and there were big mirrors on the with our friends every night so we can't complain!
side of the stage. I looked over while playing that
song and it hit me. I was living the song and my son Your live shows are pretty much pandeand step son (who were really young at the time) monium, entertaining and energetic – how are you
were home while I was on the road. I felt very guilty able to focus even after 20 years?
about my divorce and how it was affecting them. I We're definitely very seasoned at this
actually cried in the van that night after the show. point but I feel like we continue to grow and get betTheir mom wasn't the best mom and that was a huge ter as a band both in writing and also live. I don't
part of what took me off the road for a while. I need- know how we do it but the shows seem to get more