1 - Tell us how your project(s) were started.
Sometime around late '94, Chris, John, Matt Conner (now of RPG) and myself began jamming once or twice a week for fun. We liked metal and at the time NOBODY was playing it, it was totally off the map, so we started playing the music we wanted to hear. I soon left for grad school in Chicago, Matt split when I did to work on another project, so Chris and John restructured the group with a singer (Randy) and a new guitar player (Abe). Burn The Priest was born. It's a little complicated from here, but basically I came back home and rejoined, Abe left to focus on film making, and Chris' little brother Willie joined the band...Lamb Of God was born. All the while shows were happening, tours were happening and records were being made.
2 - What does music, in it's entirety, mean to you?
O.K., that's a big one. Music means absolutely everything to me. My entire life revolves around it. Music is my religion, my passion, my voice, my obsession...that all sounds so corny, but I don't know how else to put it. I'm involved in three bands, all playing completely different types of music and it's still not enough...I still want to do more. There was a substantial period of my life in which the only time I felt anything close to normalcy or sanity was when I was playing guitar. It really has kept me alive many times. I can't imagine life without it.
3 - What does art, in it's entirety, mean to you?
Art is such a loosely defined concept. I love fine arts, and theater and music and all the standard interpretations of "art", but I think you kind find art anywhere, in all facets of life. Anything done creatively can be artistic expression. Building a house can be art...taking a photograph can be art. I think anyone who puts thought into the emotions or feelings invoked by their work, and can manipulate those outcomes through their work is an artist, no matter what their craft or medium may be.
4 - Who is your favorite author, and why?
I the wrong dude for this question. I am so terrible at processing information through reading, it's pathetic. Of the few authors I'm familiar with, I think George Orwell had some pretty cool ideas. His criticisms of power and class systems are right up my alley. I read a great book called Nam, I couldn't put it down. I think the author's name was Marc Baker. Our singer Randy reads constantly, he's into Jim Goad and a million others.
5 - As your best friend, describe yourself.
A loyal friend, always good for a scathing critique or venomous rant about the subject du jour. Moody but insightful and caring.
6 - As your worst enemy, describe yourself.
Self absorbed, arrogant bastard, talks too much shit...short man complex. This guy needs his ass kicked.
7 - If your persona were immortalized as a cartoon character, who would it be?
Linus.
8 - Do you think there are conspiracies against the "everyday person"?
I absolutely think so, but not necessarily on an individual basis. The means we use to receive and transmit information are monitored and regulated by authoritative systems. More and more the technology we use as private citizens or groups is used against us by the regime we've "elected". You have to be very careful in this day and age what you say, and where and how you say it. Any kind of organized resistance is quickly put down. Just ask David Koresh or those ranchers in Montana that felt so disenfranchised they stopped paying their taxes. Were they everyday people? It depends who you ask, but they certainly didn't fare too well. It's back to Orwell and Big Brother. The "up" side is that a large number of people in this country live a relatively comfortable existence and remain pacified and content with their SUV's and wide screen televisions. No real change can happen until those people are willing to give all that up for a greater cause, and it's not happening. So the conspiracy is systemic, a socio-political structure designed to keep most people just comfortable enough to stay in line, but quickly shut them down if they choose to step out. The land of the free we are not, but I'm not hungry and I have heat and water. For most people that seems to be good enough.
9 - What do you do with your spare or free time?
Spare time is generally filled working on music for one project or another. Other than that I like to cook food and drink beer. Occasionally I'll build something, I've done a lot of carpentry and sheet metal work.
10 - Please give us your interpretation of the meaning of life.
For me, so far,
the meaning of life has been to improve myself as a person and try to exchange
knowledge and life experiences with other people. I tend to be very critical
and I'm definately hardest on myself, so I 'm constantly trying to be more compassionate,
or more generous or whatever kick I'm on at the time. Sometimes it works...sometimes
it doesn't. I've learned that tolerance is calming, and it's important not to
take yourself too seriously. Life should be challenging and rewarding, but ultimately
you won't be here very long so have fun and try not to hurt anybody in the process.
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