1 - Tell us how your project(s) were started.
In the early 1990's I wanted to play and record my own original music. I asked some friends and they agreed to join up with me. That band (The Catalogs) eventually split, so I started another (Crawling Chaos), which was a bit more brutal sounding. That band broke up due to members moving away, so I decided to start a new band encompaing the stylings of both my previous bands, hence The Quintessentials. It's a gratifying way to express myself while having fun.
2 - What does music, in it's entirety, mean to you?
In performance: Self-expression, release (katharsis) and a means to get my thoughts into the minds of others.In listening to the music of others: A colorful means to forget the outside world and be swept away, enveloped in aural emotion.
3 - What does art, in it's entirety, mean to you?
In its creation: Pretty much the same as with making music. In experiencing the art of others: Art should conjure ones most primal emotions, whether it be love, terror, hate, depression, ecstacy, desire, etc.
4 - Who is your favorite author, and why?
Besides Dr. LaVey, I would say it's a tie between Ira Levin and H.P. Lovecraft because of the subject matter. Lovecraft evokes strong emotion and is detailed in his descriptions. It's the attraction to the bizzare. Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby and The Stepford Wives both deal with topics I am very interested in: Androids (Artificial Human Companions) and Satanism. In fact, I recently acquired 1st edition hardcovers of both books.
5 - As your best friend, describe yourself.
A very responsible, trustworthy, no bullshit, person who takes charge and gets things done. A talented individual. A leader. A well-rounded, intelligent and happy fellow.
6 - As your worst enemy, describe yourself.
A strict tyrant who holds grudges for far too long. An angry misanthrope who has an answer for everything. A selfish person who has to get his own way.
7 - If your persona were immortalized as a cartoon character, who would it be?
A cross between Spider-Man, Bugs Bunny, The Joker, Kingpin and Wolverine.
8 - Do you think there are conspiracies against the "everyday person"?
Perhaps. Maybe unintentionally. I personally don't view most "everyday people" as amounting to much.
9 - What do you do with your spare or free time?
Read, watch old movies, play or listen to music, have parties with my friends, barbecue, hunt books, do internet searches on whatever topic interests me at the time.
10 - Please give us your interpretation of "the meaning of life".
Making oneself as happy as possible.
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