My pleasure.
First question, has DYING FETUS found a replacement vocalist for Vince Matthews?
Yes and no. What I mean is we are not planning to add a fifth member to replace Vince. We almost immediately asked Sean to have a try at doing vocals since he had done them in a previous band. Sean started doing vocals live on the GWAR tour in 2004. I think he's been doing an excellent job, and being a four-piece again just feels comfortable for us.
Has there been any work on a follow up to 2003's "Stop at Nothing"?
We are currently writing and recording demos for the next album. We all work full time jobs and are also seeking a drummer to replace Erik, so the writing has been affected but is still progressing. At this point we have about six demo songs recorded. We tend to spend alot of time tweaking and fine-tuning everything so we don't mind if it takes alittle longer, we want to be satisfied with the music we make.
Is there any tour plans for 2006?
We are looking at some options for fall and winter. The focus right now is on completing the new album and finding a drummer. But we have been off the road for nearly a year now, so odviosuly we are getting very anxious to play some shows for our fans.
I've noticed over the years, DYING FETUS has gone through alot of line up changes. Is John Gallagher a hard person to work with?
I don't find John a hard person to work with at all. Maybe demanding at times, but so am I and so is the music. The thing is, it's often difficult to keep members in a metal band because people change, their situations change ..it's not always a personality conflict. Also, very few metal bands can make a living purely from their music, and you'd be surprised how hard it can be to coordinate a day job with a touring band. I've parted ways with three jobs in less than four years with DYING FETUS.
What's your view on the new wave of American Death Metal? (i.e. Black Dahlia Murder, Mastodon, etc)
I can dig it, I think the metal genre has room for different types of bands and everyone wins if we all stick together. Metal as played by MASTODON and BDM I enjoy for the way they blend different elements, and I always like bands that show some techinal ability. Personaly I'm friends with the Dahlia dudes and I like their music. Good live band to.
What's your top 5 CDs at the moment?
I rarely listen to CDs as such now that I have an Ipod but I find myself listening frequently to SUFFOCATION - "Pierced from Within", EXODUS- "Shovel Headed Kill Machine", NILE - "Annihilation of the Wicked", a GOATWHORE playlist that has favorite songs from both albums, a MORBID ANGEL/HATE ETERNAL playlist of favorite songs. I also have a "chillout" playlist that mostly has songs from GTA Vice City. And I just downloaded the new CANNIBAL CORPSE track "Manical". That album will deffently be on my top five when it comes out.
Ok Mike, last question, what's your view on downloading music on the internet?
I think it's a great technology that gives you access to all kinds of music, and it's wonderful for artistic and intellectual pursuits. So many times I've been in a music store and wished I could try out anything in the store So I know I'm not wasting my money. Odviously I don't believe in theft, so I endeavor to purchase/own legally anything I keep in my collection long term.
Ok Mike, I thank you for taking the time for this interview and good luck in the future!!
Thanks again!