Musically, who are your biggest influences?

We like a lot of crazy stuff. We listen to The Get Up Kids, Dying Fetus, Mr. Bungle, Isis, The Vandals and Hatebreed. We are weird and we don't sound like anything we listen to. So I don't think a certain sound influences us as much as just our love for all sorts of music, aka...steal riffs from obscure bands.

Which direction do you think the band will evolve towards in the next 5 years?

We just want to rock as hard as we can for as long as we can. We've been a no name local band for so long that all this attention and good fortune is still a little strange. Whatever styles we play or directions we go we know that it'll be because that's what makes us happy and we'll play it the best we can. You'll love it I bet...maybe it won't suck.

How does your new material compare to your old material?

Our new material is thought out and more of a joint production. Thad and Brandon did most of the writing but we all had input in the songs like structure and different crap. We want more structured songs so they sound like real songs. Our stuff we are writing now is going to have more sing alongs and choruses. It makes the transition to selling out easier. Ya know

What are your thoughts about your latest record "The Ground Is Rushing Up To Meet Us" being re-released on metal blade records?

We haven't been more psyched about this band than right now. We have some amazing people behind us pushing there hardest to make this little dream of ours become reality. The fact that we could soon be peers with some of our favorite bands is the craziest notion. Soon you can go to wal mart and pick some eggs, get an oil change, a new pair of sweat pants and the new IHD cd. Nuts.

What was your most memorable tour to date and why?

Our tour with Cannae was so awesome. We made cock for money but it was amazing. We toured in the worst van ever with no trailer or nothing. Those dudes are nuts and so fun...drinking, banging out girls and stabbing each other...god I miss those guys.

When will you be going back out on tour?

We got to write this god damn record this fall so not until December. We have a lot of work to do this fall with booking agents and out manager's got some heads to crack make us tour for a few years. It's going to be madness, beautiful madness.

If you could tour with any band whom would it be and why?

For me...the "to end all" tour would a full tour with the Dillinger Escape Plan. That's the best band ever and if they ever became our friends I would puke and smile for the rest of my life. We want to tour with Unearth and Killswitch Engage cuz they seem like fun weirdoes and I'm pretty sure we would get into a tad bit of mischief with those guys. Which is good mind you.

Who are you listening to these days?

My top 5 albums as of late are as follows...
1. Bjork-Homogenic
2. Pantera-Vulgar Display of Power
3. Monster Ballads Volume 2
4. Nine Inch Nails- Broken
5. Martyr AD-whatever the new one is called

What do you do when not playing with If Hope Dies?

I am in school, but just cuz I want the loot to buy the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 box sets and get new pants. That's it. I'm going to play silent hill 4 and hope to find a girlfriend soon so she can play it for me and I can watch. I really only like the CG scenes so that would be ideal.

What are your thoughts about the huge explosion of "indie" porn out there now?

Well I am pretty big on porn. I think with friends its fun and by myself...it's more fun. Sometimes with my friends sleeping around me its even more fun without them knowing...like in the van. I have this one porn called baby sitters 12...I feel like I have developed a relationship with those girls I swear. I get jealous if anyone else watches it now. I need new porn man, god I suck.

Any final words of wisdom for the readers?

Lie to the police, do fucked up drugs, karate chop your parents, never pull out or use protection and memorize the Neverending Story...best movie ever!! And oh yeah...don't do anything I say to do, I'm a retard.

interview by: Judas