UN: From the first time I read the name Norma Jean it was a name that totally stayed with me. It's just really unique for the style of music you guys play. It's nice to see a band that has two words instead of three. I think you know what I was hinting at. How did the idea for the name come about?

Daniel: Yeah, a lot of people say that it's a unique name, as far as for the style of music that we play. We are all fans of Marilyn Monroe, so that is the first reason we were going to use the name. But we wanted a name with more meaning than just the name of some actress. Then we looked into it a little more, and found out that Norma means "patterns", and Jean means "mercy and grace". So together it's patterns of mercy and grace. We liked that a lot, so we used it.

UN: How have things been working out with Solid State? It seems to me like they put a lot into this release. It's printed excellently, and the layout is just amazing. Is Solid State supportive of your addiction to touring? It must really help them get copies of the cd out there.

D: Yeah, SolidState has been really supportive of everything we have been doing. And yeah, they always put a lot into their records. It's really nice to have that support behind you. It makes things a lot more smooth. They seem to be really happy about the fact that we stay on the road for most of the year. We are really looking forward to getting started on working on another record.

UN: The Norma Jean sound is heavy and chaotic, yet it all stays together. Does it take a long time for the songs to come together until they are finished and polished? It's seems like these songs would take a great deal of time to work out and structure. They aren't your average three chord songs.

D: Our writing process is always different. Sometimes a song will come together in one practice, then others sometime take weeks. But we all write at home individually, then bring what we have to practice, and just sort of piece what we all have together to form songs. Or sometimes we will just jam for like 30 minutes on different riffs, and just take what we like from that. As of now, we have one new song that is complete....and then just tons of parts that arent in a song order yet. But they will be sometime soon I hope.

UN: Did you guys know right from the start that you needed a powerful and tight prodction? I think you managed to get the perfect production. Anything elese may have not harnassed the chaotic nature of the band and just ended up sounding like noise. How was working with Adam Dutkiewicz? I think he did an amazing job.

D: Yeah, we are so happy with how the record came out. We did the whole thing live, vocals and all. We just set up like at a show, with the amps in sound proof rooms, and we all were in the same room and just played our songs. some of them we did in just like one or two takes. Then we would go in and patch in some of the guitar parts. But for the most part, it's all live. We totally clicked with Adam, which made recording so much fun, and really smooth and easy. I can't wait to do it again. Hopefully with Adam again.

UN: I have to say that the album has an interesting artistic layout. Did you guys have a specific idea in mind when putting together the booklet? I think the old pictures gives it an almost creepy vibe, yet it's still very artistic.

D: When I talked to Ryan from Asterik Studios, the dude who did it, I just told him we wanted something crazy and trashy. I dont know, we didn't really have a specific way we wanted it to go. So we just told him that, and he came back with that. All the pictures are like from the 40s. We are really happy with how that turned out too.

UN: Is there a specific meaning behind the album name? Can you explain how it relates to the artwork?

D: I dont really think that there is a specific meaning behind the name. But with the cover, the flowers that the girl is holding symbolizes the "bless", and obviously, the girl is the child.

UN: Do you find anyone comparing the luti-kriss lp and your new cd? You've made it pretty clear to everyone that Norma Jean is a completey different band. Do you still get people bringing up the old name? Any requests for old songs at shows?

D: Yeah, all the time kids are wanting the old songs. But yeah, I think people know that we are a totally new band and have set ourselves apart from the old stuff a lot.

UN: Is touring constantly important to the survival of Norma Jean? Do you find it easier to get motivated for shows due to being young? Do you find it hard to write while on tour? When you are on tour almost 8 months of the year, you must do some writing while on tour.

D: Touring is surely important to the band. It's really the only way for it to stay fresh with us. Getting out there, and meeting and hanging out with the kids who support our band. Giving them the best time that we can while we are with them. We actually dont really do any writing while we are on tour. Although, when we were in Europe a few months ago, we did do a little writing, which was a nice experience.

UN: Do you think you guys still have a lot you want to accomplish? All of the best bands seem to die young! Hopefully there is no inner turmoil that will bring Norma Jean to an early end.

D: Yeah, there is a lot that we still want to do. I think that we will be able to keep going for a long time, and hopefully accompish some of those things. There is no turmoil or fighting at all within the band. We are still going strong.

UN: Because of the sound and style of your music, do you find that you get compared to a lot of bands you don't sound anything like? I could see people taking the easy way out and saying that you sound like Dillinger Escape Plan, but besides being heavy and chaotic there aren't many other similarities.

D: Yeah, we have gotten a lot of comparisons to them, which is pretty wild. They are such an amazing band and yeah, I dont think we really sound anything alike. But it's cool that someone would say that about us.

UN: What's next for you guys? The cd has been out for awhile, anything new planned? Any new songs written? Is the newer material different in anyway?

D: I think that we will most likely be recording again in the spring of next year. We are just waiting a while to record, just so we are totally happy with how it turns out. It will be our first time to write with our new members and all. So we want to take our time.

Like i said earlier, we do have like one song that is done and we have been playing it live. But I know before it's recorded, it will be way different. The new stuff is along the same lines. I would say that it will be heavier and more chaotic, I hope at least. And I want the record to be a little dirtier. We will see what happens. But yeah, I am really excited to take a little time off and start practicing. I have been writing a lot of stuff just at my house that I haven't showed the rest of the guys. I am really happy with what's coming out so far.

UN: Is it important to not be an overly blunt Christian band? You guys don't seem to really go out of your way to make sure people know you are a Christian band. Do you think the blunt and direct approach might alienate some people?

D: Yeah, I think it could alienate people. But we hope not to do that. I mean, we do want people to know that is what we are about. But we aren't going to do it at all in an offensive way that would make them uncomfortable. But we are totally down to talk about it if people want.

UN: Are you guys trying to be secretive about the lyrics? There's no way you can pick them out by ear, and there's really nowhere to find them. I read that they were printed in the booklet, but for the life of me I can't see them.

D: Yeah, in the first pressing, the lyrics were printed in a clear varnish ink. And you could only see them if you turned the pages a certain way in the light. and even then, it was hard to read. Then in the second pressing....I dont even think that they were printed in there. But I think you can find the lyrics online.