Rhett: Not a problem, proceed with the inquisition.

Rhett: The easiest answer would be either...

A.) Socially inept assholes that just cant conceive the idea that playing pop punk is what our locale is most fond of. So therefore subjecting ourselves to playing shows in front of a “huge crowd of 4” who have the same keen sense of fashion and love of all things "overly dramatic and artsy-fartsy?"

B.) Having untold pleasure in making those around us who are described as "chipper" and/or "full of positive thoughts" delve into a dark abyssal fog of dismay and hopelessness that they eat nothing but fatty foods and dwell on last weeks episode of the "Gilmore Girls"?

C.) 4 guys who have the unfortunate love of "metal music made by high-brow Europeans" who happen to live in the same area where bands like "No Doubt, Korn, and The Offspring" hail from?

D.) Geography is not our best subject?

E.) All of the above?

Rhett: To a degree. I would prefer to be an upbeat person most of the time but I do have my moments where I can be the most unpleasant person to be around. For arts sake I think we play music that comes naturally to us, I couldn't really explain why or how. We don’t analyze every dark/dismal record out there to glean tips on "how to be a miserable bastard". In the past I wrote lyrics that were more personal with a theme in mind but nowadays I have such hatred over what I call the “woe is me” type lyrics. I think we are product to our love of all things with dark dynamics.

Rhett: My primary sources to literature are as follows: The Bible, Edgar Allen Poe, Tolkien, H.P. Lovecraft, R.A. Salvatore, Tracey Hickman & Margaret Weis, Robert Frost, Yeats, Robert E. Howard, Anne Rice, any kind of mythological text (whether fact or fiction) etc… I gain most of my ideas for lyrics just from reading any kind of literature; I’ve actually had some good ideas from authors like Mark Twain! It just depends on how it is written and what “I get out of it”. It’s more of a personal exploration of knowledge than a way to write, although it has helped in many facets of my writing.

Rhett: H.R.Geiger, Larry Elmore, Frank Frazetta, anything with a strong take on fantasy or sci-fi. Since Gary Griffith (Guitars, Synths, Acoustics, Vocals) is our artist he has such a profound sense of making our music detail our packaging; I don’t think he has many other artists in mind when making his artwork. But in my opinion he could make just about anything look incredible.

Rhett: Since the guy who makes our layouts is in the band he pretty much works out the visual to what words I have created. Since he also sings most of the words too he has the most insight to how the whole thing should be packaged. In the end we are all very happy to see what he comes up with.

Rhett: Actually I don’t think any of us are spiritual people and I’ve always made it a rule to never cross that territory simply because it doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I also feel no need to preach to anyone about what I “think” is the law in religious or anti-religious thought. For “CBA, CIE” the writing dynamic was to write a musical story to a fictional setting dealing in the worst kind of irony’s. In the songwriting aspect we have always kept to the dynamic of dark themes that don’t have to follow any rules or conduct. So each part within stands out and makes each heavy part and each mellow transition count. On this particular record we wanted a more “guitar oriented” album while using the keyboards to enhance but not lead.

Rhett: I was always more partial to wearing spandex bicycle shorts (any neon color will do.) and a white “Choose Life” t-shirt singing my rendition of “Wake up, before ya Go-Go” by Wham.

Rhett: anguish, misery, hopelessness, despondency, desolation. Sorry but downcastness is not a word. Is there anyway I could trade it in for the word… weary?

Rhett: The dictionary definition.
Pronunciation: "nE-&-'pä-l&-t&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin neapolitanus of Naples, from Greek neapolitEs citizen of Naples, from Neapolis Naples
: a native or inhabitant of Naples, Italy
- Neapolitan adjective

The real question is how did Neapolitan become a three flavored ice cream from this definition? And whom are they trying to dupe? Is there a obligatory-racist ice cream regime in Naples who integrated strawberry, vanilla and chocolate into one “melting pot” to make the perfect “Almost-Aryan Ice Cream?”

But I know the truth. The truth is that a pot bellied Italian-Neapolitan named “Guiseppe” who sold half of the containers for each separate ice cream to an American entrepreneur (who made a killing during Marti-Gras season selling them as cups for “Hurricanes” and other alcoholic concoctions.) for a jar of petroleum jelly, 4 bottles of Cognac and 3 videotapes entitled “Big Black Butt-Volumes 5-8”. After which he proceeded to add each flavor into one container (since his stores are now half full) and then selling them to Baskin Robbins, then to those bastards Ben & Jerry. Worldwide distro. Soon to follow. Now my question is this… did Guiseppe wash his hands before making Neapolitan ice cream? And is that really vanilla?

Rhett: (Deafening silence, occasionally interrupted by the sound of crickets chirping)

Rhett: \,,/ Nothing says metal like IBM and MACintosh, huh?