Interview: Spineshank

Spineshank Questions answered by: Tommy Decker (Drums), (Programming). 12/14/00 Interviewed by wookubus

Related Links: Spineshank

PRP: Rumor has it that you guys came together from various bands, one being Basic Enigma, any other pre Spineshank bands?
Tommy: Jonny, Mike and me were in that band, and Rob sang for a band called Swinside Circle, that's how we met him.

PRP: You guys didn't really hit the levels of success many had pegged you for with the debut, did this worry you at all when writing the second album?
Tommy: We totally stopped caring about that kind of shit when we wrote this CD, it was the only way to make the CD we wanted to make, if we would have tried to do write "radio songs" or something we didn't believe in, it wouldn't have been 100% Spineshank.

PRP: What's the meaning behind "The Height Of Callousness"?
Tommy: Its about getting to that point, where you truly do not give a fuck what anyone in the world thinks! That's the point where nothing matters except the real shit, the stuff that's in your head, its a fucked up place to be emotionally.

PRP: The new album heads off into a more focused electronic sound that some compare to Static-X and such, do you mind comparisons to this group and what was the band shooting for on this record in terms of sound and such?
Tommy: Electronics and loops is something that we've always done, we just took everything to the extreme this time, we don't like to limit our songwriting to just using drums, bass and guitar, there's so many cool sounds that can make a song more interesting and help get you point across......so why not use them?

PRP: Amir Derakh has helped you guys out on both albums, what are his contributions to the latest album and what's your guys relationship like with him?
Tommy: Amir is some one we really respect and has helped us to develop our songwriting skills and open our minds to new ideas and techniques. He is and has always been a really good friend to us.

PRP: Ever worried that someone may have shit in the cookie dough and made cookies with it that you've eaten?
Tommy: Not lately.

PRP: The new material is definitely more aggressive and violent overall, was there any inspiration for the heavier direction?
Tommy: Just the anger and depression we had. This is the sound we always wanted to do , we just had other people "watering us down" this time we said fuck you to every body were making our record this time!!!

PRP: You guys recently shot a performance for the upcoming movie "Knights Club" with actor Lou Diamond Phillips, did you guys get to hang out with Lou at all and is he a fan of the music?
Tommy: Nah we said hi, did some small talk and took some pic's but that was about it, he seems like a nice guy though.

PRP: If Jonny shit jellybeans, and they were the best jellybeans ever made, would you eat them knowing full well they came from his ass?
Tommy: I wouldn't eat jelly beans that have ever been within 25 yards of Jonny's ass!!! I don't care if they made you cum when you ate them!!!!

PRP: There were a few tentative tracktitles that never showed up on the album such as "Four Letter Word", "Born Statistic", "1800" and "Pigfuck". Did these songs just end up being re-named or are some of them the tracks the much rumored tracks which will be used in upcoming videogames and Soundtracks?
Tommy: "Four Letter Word" was a song the label liked and we didn't.... so its outta here!!!! "Born Statistic" may be reworked some where down the line, "1800" must have been a typo for "Cyanide 2600" and "Pig Fuck" was the working title for a very different "New Disease".

PRP: A lot of bands have been known to play and endorse videogames from Slipknot to the Deftones, is anyone in the band a big fan of videogames and if so which ones?
Tommy: We love video games especially me and Rob, lately its been Perfect Dark, and Goldeneye but we play anything that's good.

PRP: Stuck in the desert dying of thirst you run into a fatman with large breasts that are lactating, would you suck on his nipple to survive?
Tommy: Only if he returns the favor.

PRP: How was working with GGGarth Richardson in Vancouver?
Tommy: It was awesome, but hard there was no time to fuck around, we worked constantly.

PRP: It took a lot of balls to cover a Beatles song on your debut album, are there any other songs you guys have covered or have wanted to?
Tommy: if we do anything it would be something that no one would expect, Motley Crue maybe.

PRP: You guys are getting a lot more support from the label this time around with a single pushed to radio and a professional video, have you guys set any goals to achieve sales wise or are you playing it humble?
Tommy: After the 1st time around we don't expect anything, were just having fun and feel lucky to have another chance.

PRP: The new album leaked to the internet around 2 months in advance in the ever popular mp3 format and I hear you guys even leaked a few songs yourself to see how the fans would respond, how was the reception and what do you think of mp3's in general?
Tommy: I like mp3s, it helps a band like us be heard and that's all we want. Its not about the money, if it was I'd be working AT the record company.

PRP: The band dropped off the Tattoo The Earth Tour prematurely citing lack of communication, in hindsight do you guys regret that decision?
Tommy: No, TTE was very stressful for us and at the time we had no other choice. It didn't make sense to follow a tour and not play.

PRP: If forced to wear Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake underwear, which would you choose?
Tommy: Rainbow Brite had 70's bush so Strawberry Shortcake all the way, sister.

PRP: It's been said that you guys aren't worried about going to extremes for the directions of the new songs, are you at all worried that fans will reject you for some of the more digestible tracks?
Tommy: No we cant worry about that, we had to make ourselves happy, plus there already a "Strictly Diesel", fans are smarter than that they want something new.

PRP: You've begun touring behind the new album now and have already been with a variety of acts, are there any large tours or releases coming up in the future you can let us in on?
Tommy: Not yet, but we're not going away anytime soon (knock on wood).

PRP: Well that's about it, any shameless self promotion or shoutout's?
Tommy: Send us money........please.