1 - Tell us how your project(s) were started.
MEATJACK was started
in 1993 from the remains of the band that me and my brother Jason (MEATJACK
bassist) were in at the time. We had to change our name for legal reasons and
at the same time just happened to be changing/developing our sound as well (so
officially our project was really started in 1988). Thus was born MEATJACK.
My other musical project SUCKPiG started as a studio only project of songs and
soundscapes that I've always done. It found a name and I put out my first collection
of pieces in 1998.
I decided to make it a live project when MEATJACK was in limbo for awhile looking
for a drummer (spring 2001-fall 2002). Now it's become a whole different entity
with elements that bleed back and forth between it and what I do with MEATJACK.
2 - What does music, in it's entirety, mean to you?
Music means everything to me. It's the basis of my existence. I "discovered" music on a deeper level than just something that merely existed when I was in the fourth grade. Since then it's always been an integral part of my being. Music has always been there, getting me through good, bad and in between times. Now it's what I do with my life. I play music and I'm a live sound and recording engineer.
3 - What does art, in it's entirety, mean to you?
Art can be a highly subjective term. Almost anything can be called art (obviously including music). As with anything else, there is stuff that I like and stuff that I don't care for. Art, to me, means something created with the intention of having more than merely a utilitarian purpose (although that can be art too). Something where the creator aspired to something deeper than that. The art that I like most is something that I'll see or hear or whatever and it resonates within me. Sometimes I know specifically why. Sometimes I don't and that really intrigues me because when that happens, and I realize it, I feel that I'm getting to know myself better.
4 - Who is your favorite author, and why?
That's a real hard one. Like trying to name a favorite band. I like different authors for different reasons. Some of my favorites include George Orwell, Cervantes, Hubert Selby Jr., Henry Miller, etc., etc., etc.
5 - As your best friend, describe yourself.
On a good day: a funny, charming fellow.
6 - As your worst enemy, describe yourself.
On a bad day: vengeful, nit-picky, obsessive-compulsive.
7 - If your persona were immortalized as a cartoon character, who would it be?
Having a hard time with this. I may have to get back to you on this one.
8 - Do you think there are conspiracies against the "everyday person"?
I don't think there are these grand "conspiracies" per se, there's just these vast oppressive systems (governmental, monetary, religious, etc.) in place that have been put forth for so long and are so entrenched that they are now merely "the way things are". Which I find pretty sad.
9 - What do you do with your spare or free time?
Dick around on the computer. Watch movies. Hang out with my girlfriend and friends. Go to shows.
10 - Please give us your interpretation of "the meaning of life".
I think life is meaningless. I don't mean that in a crass way. We give our own lives meanings through our actions, but I wouldn't presume to know the answer to why we're here. I wouldn't even presume there is an answer.
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