comments (14) [post comment]

What made you choose "Axis of Eden" as the title of your new record? Is there a concept surrounding it?

Axis of Eden and Axis of Evil.

Axis of Eden represents terror in the middle east, Eden making it a dichotomy because the Eden represents the religious right.

Who did you select to do the artwork for it? Is there as a colorful story around them as the one surrounding the artist from "Kiss The Pig"?

Takanami Kazuhiko. Yes, I cut my head wide open at the Knitting Factory in New York and he was at the show. I signed his poster in my blood and he gave me his card. His website was full of paintings of dead people and mushrooms. I found "Evil Eyes" (Kiss The Pig's Front Cover) and the rest is history.

Speaking of that album, what sort of changes are people going to notice in contrast to it? I read in an interview that you'd eventually like to incorporate more singing and have things become a little more mellow...

In balance to the rest, we are destroying with sound.....

Could you give some additonal information regarding the film that Adam Ahlbrandt made that's going along with the new album? Is this at all related to the three DVDs you were working on? "Died by the Wolf"? I've seen Adam's other work, and he did an excellent job on the few videos I've seen. He's got a raw and confrontational style.

Adam is great. "Die By The Wolf," the DVD, is in progress. The movie is a film set to "Axis of Eden". Can't give any other details, you'll have to experience it...

Have you always been interested in giving more of an imagery to the band's sound?

Yes, but no one to do it....

How did you go about choosing Harlots' Jeff Lohrber as your new drummer?

He is the most dynamic and powerful drummer I have heard or played with in a long time. He is a sick musician and good friend.

What about the addition of Aaron Kotilainen to the line-up? How did you end up working with him, and what do you feel he brings to the music? \

He is a super gifted musician and engineer. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, keys, and just about anything. Great mind and great guy.

Not a question really, but I'm really pleased to see Chris Debari still a part of the line-up. It's staggering to see him perform, screaming his head off, despite the fact that any microphone is ten feet away from him. I got into the band Cable by seeing him wear a shirt of theirs.

He is a giant amongst giants! Chris is 100% heart all the way and gives the music his all. He has and always will be a backbone to our powerful heavy sound.

Are you still working on remastering and re-releasing the first three albums? I've tried as hard as I can to track down a copy of "Willpower," as it's the only one I don't have.

We are and "Willpower" will be coming late this fall.

Can you tell us a little about Taipan?

It's a side-project with 25+ songs recorded. Black Flag gets in a fight with Led Zeppelin and the Butthole Surfers set the place on fire.

I saw you a few years back at a rather poorly attended "fest", yet you guys played with just as much intensity as you would to a 200+ crowd. How important do you feel a live show is for a band, and where do you get the inspiration to push yourself as hard, regardless of the setting?

All about being real. Feelin' it. You can't fake the rock. You have to live the rock!

You've done a lot of different shows with a lot of different bands. Are there any groups in particular who've truly impressed you?

Motorhead and Slayer.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems your interest in firearms has increased over the last couple of years.

Yes, I grew up shooting guns in the south and fell out it during my career as a musician/producer. Too many hours in the studio and on the road left no time.

I got into collecting military weapons and machine guns as both a hobby and investment.

How many do you own, and what's the particular allure of these machines to you?

21... The higher-tech futuristic design and tactical style is totally cool. The way that they are made in design and structure blows my mind. There is also a lot of history and relevance to humanity and mankind.

The best are Heckler and Koch. Pure Genius.

While I've read you discussing this concept, a lot of people I've talked to are still unclear. What's with all the Satanic imagery that Today is the Day employs?

It is to make you think and decide your mindset is. open or closed? Does the sign say stop or go? What if stop meant go?

Are there any more unconventional instruments or styles of music that you've wanted to work with, but haven't already?

A howitzer....

How does it feel to know that you've influenced so many bands across the entire spectrum of heavy music ? even a few outside of it? This might sound stupid, but with so many bands today, you can sit down and pick out individual parts that were somehow inspired by Today is the Day.

Thanks! I appreciate that! We have played our shit for real and it makes younger musicians realize that being yourself and playing what you think and feel is the most important part of being in a band and making music.

Being the man behind one of the more extreme and closely followed bands around today, do you think it's unreasonable for artists to be held accountable for the message their listeners get from their music? The reason I ask is because you have such a devoted fanbase, which I imagine must be flattering, but hard to deal with at times.

Well, sometimes some people, even fans, don't understand us or me. I give them a break because we are a challenging group of people and the music we makes brings about very passionate feelings. I want to help people with what we do and when they don't get it, the best thing I can do is to try to reach understanding and let them see that one perspective is just that; an opinion, a thought created by an individual. Some may be right, some may be wrong. But really speaking or saying something to someone is to do it with openness for a higher level of understanding.

How has having a family changed you?

It's made me stroger... made me endure life because I want to, not because I have to.

How's your tattoo shop been doing?

Great! We have been kickin' ass and throwin' it down!

Last I checked, you were in search of some artists. Did you ever locate a few?

We are still looking for an artist to fill a spot. Give us a shout!

When you're not busy recording with your studio or writing with your band, what are you listening to these days?

Miles Davis - "Bitches Brew"

How did you end up with an endorsement from PRS? I know a lot of envious people ? they make outstanding guitars.

Thanks! They offered me an endorsement deal like 10 years ago and I already would only play a PRS.

Are you still in touch with any of the staff or even some of the old labelmates (aside from Unsane) of yours from Amphetamine Reptile?

Yes, me an Haze are close friends.

Did you ever dream that any of your songs would end up appearing on television for the entire world to see? Do you feel proud that you've achieved that without having compromised yourself or your music?

Yes and no. I have always thought we had something to give....

No, because it breaks my heart that I can't change the world more... shape it into a better, safer, more beautiful place to be. I will try though.

How did performing with Most Precious Blood go? How did that come about?

They rock. They are great friends. Rob [Fusco] stays at my pad all the time.

Were a lot of people surprised to see you up there?

I don't know...

How was playing Emissions of the Monolith?

We fuckin' killed!

Any touring plans for this next year beyond the European tour with Unsane?

We're just waiting until our new record is ready, and we are on the trail.

Anything you'd care to add?

Thanks for being real!