UN: Can you go through a brief history for AJI? I know that there has been a lot of line-up changes over the last few years. Do you think it might be impossible to find a steady line-up for AJI?

Duane: The idea for AJI started in the twisted brain of Armando in late 99. The enitre band did not start practicing and writing until 2000. We started playing shows and recorded our first demo. We went on our first tour in 2001, our first out of state show ever was Hellfest. Which was pretty insane! We recorded or first EP later that year. Hmm, let's see. The year 2002 brought van explosions and our first US tour. We entered the studio early 2003 and recorded some material for an EP which ended up being combined with old material for our current release. We headed out on tour again that summer, came home and took a break for almost 7 months. Now we are back in action. All the line-up changes we have had over the years has definitely held us back quite a bit. We are hoping this current line-up will be permanent. Only time will tell though.

UN: While the new cd is essentially a full-length, it isn’t all new material. Are there any plans for a full-length album of all new material? Or possibly an EP of all new stuff?

Duane: Now that we have secured ourselves a new drummer, we have finally started working on some new material. We will not entering the studio until we have enough songs for a full length.

UN: Do you feel like the band has progressed since your last EP? I’d say that the songwriting, while still similar, has improved a lot. The new songs are a good step forward for the band I think. Possibly some new members bringing some new influences?

Duane: Thanks Alot! I definitely feel that the band has progressed since our first EP and we are very proud of the new material that was recorded for the new release. For every release we have had, there has been a new drummer. I think in some way, that always has an effect on things. I am curious to see what our new drummer brings to the table for the new stuff we are writing.

UN: Do you ever get tired of people bringing up the Poison the Well/Keepsake things? AJI is more then good enough to stand on it’s own two feet. I’m sure it would draw attention to the band though if people saw a sticker saying featuring ex-members of... though.

Duane: I don't mind people asking me about those bands because they were both a huge part of my life and I was proud to be associated with them. It also helps with kids making an effort to check out the band. I just mainly want people to realize that AJI is good enough to stand on it's own and not in the shadow of my former bands.

UN: It’s fairly obvious that you guys are influenced by metal bands as well as hardcore bands. Do you think that hardcore will keep evolving the way it is? It’s definitely come a long way since the early years. Sort of going along with the rest of this question, do you consider AJI a metal band or a hardcore band?

Duane: Hardcore has indeed come a very long way since the old days and it will keep evolving as long as kids are willing to take chances. No matter what we play, I will always consider us to be a hardcore band because we are all harcore kids at heart.

UN: I was wondering if you guys could explain the meaning behind If the Flames Don’t Kill US...We Will? Does it fit in with the artwork at all? While on the subject of the artwork, the cover painting is quite unique for the style of music you guys play. Who was the cover done by?

Duane: The title is a direct reference to us surviving a van explosion. It also relates our philosophy of not letting anything prevent us from achieving every goal we have set for ourselves and this band. It does not really fit with the artowrk, but we mainly wanted a layout that would not give any indication as to what style of music the band plays. The entire layout was done by Caleb at Outsider Audio.

UN: I was curious to ask what inspired you guys to record the Wake Up Dead cover? It’s an awesome tune, yet it’s a nice contrast from the bands style. You guys really aren’t a very speed oriented band.

Duane: Wake Up Dead was actually the first band Christoph, Franz and I were ever in. It was a punk band, as if you couldn't tell haha. That cover we recorded was not only the first song I ever wrote, but it was also the first Wake Up Dead song. We decided to record it, because we would always play that song at practice to relieve tension when arguments arose.

UN: Does the band get the chance to tour as much as you’d like? I’m sure that one of the main ways to get the name out there is to play constantly.

Duane: In the past we have not had a chance to tour as much as we wanted to. Which is very unfortunate, because that is the only way to get your name out there. It's also the best part of being in a band. However, with this release, we are planning to tour as much as we possibly can.

UN: Was it intentional from the start of the band that you wanted to be a very dynamic band in terms of songwriting and going from soft sections to heavy sections? A lot of bands playing heavy music don’t realize that you can’t be playing on 11 the entire time, you have to slow down once in awhile.

Duane: Our goal from the start was to have a band that can project pure brutality through both soft and heavy parts. I am not sure we are quite there yet, but I am confident that we will be.

UN: I was curious to ask where the band name comes from. To be honest when I first heard it, it made me think that you guys were going to be a straight up emo band, but you guys are very far from that. Was it intentional to have a name that didn’t give the bands sound away right off the bat?

Duane: Our original bassist actually thought of the name while him and I were on the way to practice. We were venting about the fact that every girl we were interested in had an asshole for a boyfriend. Then the venting session escalated into being jealous of anyone that is happy in a relationship. He said we were bitter and had "jealousy issues" when dealing with girls. All of sudden, he said "A Jealousy Issue" would be a good band name. we told everyone the name at practice that day. Everyone liked it, and it stuck. We also did get a kick out of the fact that the name totally did not fit our style of music.

UN: To end this, I’ll ask you guys this. What do you think makes you guys stand out from the other bands playing similar music? You might say that it’s my job to let people know the reasons, but I’m curious to ask what you think sets you apart.

Duane: It's hard to answer such a question without sounding egotistical haha. I think the main thing that sets us apart is the fact that while bands are becoming poppier and adding more singing, we are becoming noisier and keeping the singing to a minimum. I also think that as a live band we are a lot more insane that a lot of the bands out there.