Interview: dieAgnostic

Dent Questions Answered By Mark (Drums). 10/26/99 Interviewed by Pedro Einloft

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PRP: Hi there! Well, first of all, how did dieAgnostic's members got together to form a band?
Mark: The bass player (Tim) and I (Mark) were in a garage band called Anguish when we were about 14 years old (1991). Our guitarist (Blaine) was in a band called Cremation. Our singer (Chrys) was in a band called Split Decision. Basically all the bands mentioned previously eventually broke up, but none of us wanted to stop playing music. Since it was hard to find people that were into death metal or heavy music in general, we just decided to start a new band and called it dieAgnostic!

PRP: How long have you guys been together as a band?
Mark: We have been together for 6 years as of August 99'.

PRP: Who are in the band at all?
Mark: Vocals - Chrys Whitaker | Guitar - Blaine Prescott | Bass - Tim Bargeron | Drums - Mark Greubel.

PRP: Any line-up changes since the band's start?
Mark: Well Chrys wasn't the original singer with this line up, but we didn't actually change the name of the band to dieAgnostic until he joined the band, so I guess technically we have never had any line-up changes. Our old singer was my best friend Danny Bonifacio. We used the name Anguish until the night of August 27th 1993. We played a gig that night in Augusta GA, and right before our very last song Danny announced that he was passing the mic to Chrys as the new singer. He told us in advance that he wanted to quit so there were no hard feelings. As soon as the mic changed hands dieAgnostic was born.

PRP: Why you decided to play the instrument you do, or, to sing?
Mark: Well personally I can't sing worth a shit, so that was definitely out of the question. As far as guitar and bass, I was just never really interested. I think Tommy Lee of Mötley Crue inspired me to originally want to play drums, but I don't think he influenced my playing at all.

PRP: Any material released?
Mark: We have released two albums. The first was released when i was 17. It was called "You Asked For It". Our second release was called "Emerge" which was released in 97'.

PRP: How you got your name?
Mark: Blaine actually came up with the name. He just thought it was a cool play on words.

PRP: How would you describe your band's sound to someone who has never heard you guys?
Mark: I guess If you could picture a band that sounds like TooL, Faith No More, and a little bit of death and speed metal thats what we would be. That's just my description though. Every one seems to have their own thoughts on what we sound like, so the only way to really find out is to grab a copy of the CD and judge for yourself.

PRP: How y'all got into crossover (pimp rock) music at all?
Mark: Thats a good question, because I don't have the answer! Hahahaha.

PRP: What's the song writing process like?
Mark: Well we really don't have any rules as far as a writing process. Lyrics are generally written first though. And no, there aren't any hitlers, but I guess I'm the most stubborn If I had to choose.

PRP: Any band I should check out from Augusta, GA?
Mark: Yeah, a band called Solemn.

PRP: How you guys do to spread yourself out from the others?
Mark: We concentrate on our artistic versatility.

PRP: Does any of the members are in any side projects?
Mark: No.

PRP: Influences of the band?
Mark: To broad to list all, but we listened to a lot of death metal as kids and progressively ventured into other musical tastes.

PRP: Best underground band out there, in your opinion?
Mark: When you say underground, I guess you mean unsigned, so I would have to say....hmmm..... my favorite "was" People's Fault, but they broke up. So If I had to choose one that was still around it would be Solemn.

PRP: All Time Favorite Band?
Mark: TooL by a long shot!

PRP: What would be the tour of your dreams? Your band plus.... ?
Mark: Tool, Peter Gabriel, Slayer, Sting, Incubus, Sepultura and the deftones.

PRP: Was dieAgnostic ever approached by any record label?
Mark: Minor Labels. We did meet an A&R from Columbia records that came to see us perform in New York City. He was totally with the vibe we were givin'. He told me later that he had 110 percent confidence that we had every thing it takes to make it.

PRP: Any big plans in the horizon?
Mark: We are planning to have a new album this time next year.

PRP: Last show you went?
Mark: Incubus in Atlanta, GA.

PRP: Any shows booked or something?
Mark: Not for at least 6 months.

PRP: Anything you wanna add? Last comments?
Mark: Yes, actually I'd like to thank all of our friends and fans in the Augusta GA, area that can understand and get what we are trying to say in our music. Respect.