If you wouldn't mind giving a brief historical review of BLC for the readers...

Bloodlined Calligraphy was formed in 2002. When we started, Shawn and Ally weren't in the band. We had a different singer and a different guitarist, but they both quit and then a few line-up changes later we ended up where we are now. Sorry if that's vague, but I just wanted to be as brief as possible.

You guys are about to drop a brand new record, They Want You Silent. How do you feel it measures up to your EP on Strike First. Who exactly is "they" in the title, and what songs are you most proud of on it?

The full-length just destroys the EP in every way shape and form. It's just better all around. The "They" in the title is anyone who tries to keep you quiet about your beliefs, whatever they might be. Honestly, I'm proud of the whole record. I mean, I have songs that I like more than others, but this record as a whole is one of the best things I've ever been apart of in my whole life.

For "They Want You Silent," you returned to Cloud City Studios, and again worked with Mike Hasty (guitarist for Walls Of Jericho, produced records for Black Dahlia Murder, etc.). Is it just the convenience of Cloud City being local, or do you just find that Mike and Co. bring out the best in BLC? Had you thought of recording elsewhere?

We thought about recording somewhere else, but ever since we have been recording, we always get our best performances when we are working with Mike. He just knows what to say to us and he knows how to deal with us and get the best performances out of us. Plus we are all WOJ fans, so we trust him on knowing his stuff when it comes to recording our style of music.

The new record has an awesome layout. Who created it and do they have a website?

Aaron Marsh did our layout. I don't know if he has a website, but he's done some awesome work. He also did the layout for the latest It Dies Today record.

What is the writing process like in BLC?

Well, usually what happens is Carter, Ryan and myself will write the music. Then it comes time for lyrics. With this record, me and Carter wrote most of the lyrics. Ally wrote 1 or 2 songs also. Then, once we have the lyrics, Ryan does all the vocal patterns. After that we play the song and it's a done deal.

You recently added a new guitarist, Shawn. How did you find him... was a formal search conducted, and what does he bring to the band?

We had a search, but no one was answering. Well, a few people answered and it just wasn't working out. Then we all thought about Shawn so we asked him to come and play, and it worked out. We had known Shawn forever from playing in bands around Ypsilanti. Everything's new to Shawn, like this is his first CD, and this is his first touring band. So I'd say what he brings to the table is that breath of fresh air. He rejuvenates us, and makes us appreciate the things we have been able to do a lot more.

Is there a scene in Ypsilanti or do you mostly rely on shows and support in the Detroit area?

There is absolutely no scene in Ypsilanti. We had a small one growing and it was a good little scene, then the cops shut down our venue and basically killed our scene. So we play a lot in the Lansing scene and also we play a few shows here and there in Detroit. You know the Detroit scene is always going pretty good.

Another Walls Of Jericho member, front woman Candace Kucsulain, was involved with They Want You Silent by providing a guest vocal. How did that come about? Being that you are both bands from Michigan, with a metalcore sound and a female singer, do you get a lot of comparisons to WOJ or people thinking that you're just ripping them off?

Well, we had a song that was all about girls in the hardcore scene and Ally thought it would be a good idea to see if Candace would be down to sing on it with her. So she asked her and Candace was down. So she came in one day and did her part, and we all think it really set the song off right. I think at first glance, and when people first hear we have a female front, I think they begin to compare the bands, but then after they hear us and see that we sound different, the comparisons and stuff usually stops immediately.

Is Bloodlined Calligraphy a straight edge band?

No, BLC is not a straightedge band. A lot of people always think we are though. We have two members that are edge. myself and Ally. The rest of us aren't.

Hatred of Christian hardcore definitely seems to be at an all-time high. How do you answer those who believe you have no place in the scene?

The only answer I can give them is if you choose to hate us because of what we believe, then more power to you. We don't shove our beliefs down anyone's throat at all. And for anyone to try and say we don't have a place in the scene... all I can say is, too bad. We aren't going anywhere.

When, where and with whom are you hitting the road next?

We just got off tour on april 25th. The next tour starts June 1st. We are going out with a band from Detroit called Let It Die. We are doing 2 weeks with them. then we are doing 2 weeks with Ten-33 from Virginia. Then after that we are doing 2 weeks with Seventh Star from florida. That's all the plans we have right now, but we have things coming in all the time, so check our website for more dates as they come in.

How have things been going with Facedown Records?

Things have been going awesome on Facedown. Facesown is the best place for BLC to be at this time. They work really hard for us and we try to work hard for them.

Alright, some short answer goodness:

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars all the way.

Gatorade or Powerade?

Gatorade, unless Powerade is on sale.

New Found Glory or Saves The Day?

Saves the Day (but only from Through Being Cool and the first record), after that I'd have to take NFG.

Cards, dice or dominos?

Dice. Im talking bout clickity clack, clickity clack, haha.

SNL or MadTV?

SNL.

Jeans, khakis or camos?

Jeans.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Thundercats?

Thundercats.

Cooler killing machine: Velicoraptors or great white sharks?

Great Whites. Only because they can still kill you.

Better classic amusement park ride: Tilt A Whirl or Gravitron?

Tilt A Whirl.

Best TGIF show: Family Matters, Full House or Step By Step?

Family Matters!

Anything you want to add?

Go out and buy They Want You Silent. And thanks a lot for the interview, man.