TP: Worlds Apart had some pretty strong political undertones. How exactly do you feel about the state of our country?

Conrad: I think you're all f***ed! No, I think we can work things out. Maybe not without something really, truly awful happening first. But more important than the state of this country or any other country, I focus mainly on the future of the human animal (as well as all the other disenfranchised animals). I think if all goes well countries, and hopefully organized religions, will one day be a thing of the past.

TP: The best part about your music is that it never sacrifices intelligence for catchiness. Do you feel that this brand of "smart rock" will ever replace the trash that is on radio now?

Conrad:Honestly? No. But homeland security can't arrest us for hoping and pretending that it might someday.

TP: I for one am very excited for your tour with the Blood Brothers, as the both of you are favorites of mine. How exactly did the tour come about?

Conrad:A mighty wind came out of the east. It deposited both our busses side by side in Colorado. An uneasy truce lead to a long lasting friendship, and we fought off the hoards of painted savages who attacked us from all sides, splitting their wampum betwixt us.

TP: Since your inception your band has always featured a sort of neo-classical theme. Where exactly does this come from and how has it changed the way you approach music writing?

Conrad:Neo-classicism comes from Europe, and evolved during the enlightenment when people began to admire the achievements of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Since it is mainly a visual art style, it never really affected our music. However, its predecessor and contemporary the Romantic movement was both visual and musical, and seeps into our repertoire by way of the sweeping themes reminiscent of Beethoven's Violin concerto in D. Please pass the Grey Poupon.

TP:Many people seem to have tagged you as a "buzz band" or an "up-and-comer." Do you feel this owes more to the fact your songs are legitimately well-crafted or because your music offers people a more mentally fulfilling alternative to 90% of modern music?

Conrad:Well, I hope it's not due to the horrible buzzing noises our amps make on stage, har har! If by up-and-comer that means we just keep coming up and never actually going anywhere, yeah, I can see that as well - sort of like when you have to gag after snorting cocaine, but can't seem to actually barf.

Now check out …Trail of Dead's new CD So Divided at the links below (it hits stores this week 11/14)

Preview and Purchase The new CD Online

Visit the official homepage
 

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