UN: Was there anything specifically you wanted to do with Vendetta that you didn’t get the chance to do with Haymaker? Would you say that the new album is a big step forward for the band?

Dave: The new record is definitely a huge step forward for us. The line-up we had recording Vendetta is the most focussed and "on-the-same-page" line-up we've ever had, and we're pretty confident that the record we made in the end reflects that. There's nothing specific insofar as "I wish I would have sang pretty or rapped like Nelly" or anything like that. We definitely wanted to go into the Vendetta session better prepared with music and lyrics and we got to do that. Overall, we're just siked cus Vendetta is a better representation of what we do and who we are. The line-up was shakey for Haymaker and I had only been singing for a few months and had no clue what I was doing (many would argue I still dont), so it's nice going into this recording with more confidence than last time and more experience after all the touring we've done since then.

UN: Do you think that the current line-up is the strongest yet for the band? Do you think that this line-up might stay together for the long run this time? You seem to have an endless line of drummers coming into the band.

Dave: Oops, I kinda answered that already. This definitely is the strongest line-up we've ever had. Especially for the long haul. Everyone in the band realizes what kind of touring schedule is required and understands their role in the band. Ben is the best thing that's happened to us in a long time, so unless he decides to pursue a career in underwear modeling, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. The only thing that might change with the line-up in the near future is adding a 2nd guitar player. We have a lot of stuff on Vendetta that needs two dudes up there so we're bringing out a buddy of ours on this next tour to see if he can tolerate us and wants to hang around for a while. But yeah, no more revolving drummers, we were starting to feel like Spinal Tap for a bit there.

UN: What’s the motivation behind the name of the record Vendetta? I’m sure it’s safe to assume that the album is going to be just as pissed off as the previous albums.

Dave: With each record we're always trying to outdo the one that preceded it. I think bands either go that route or try and explore a whole new side with each record. We're not U2 or Radiohead, so we stick to our guns and just try and make it that much more brutal than before. The fast parts are a lot faster, the breakdowns are a lot more crushing and the vocals do a lot more for the feel of each song than on Haymaker. It's a better album man. haha. But yeah, like Haymaker, the name of the album just came out because it was a good representation of what the band is to us during that particular time. The lyrics to the title track explain it a lot better, but it basically defines what the band has come to represent for its members over the past year and a half.

UN: 2004 was definitely the biggest year yet for the band, do you think that 2005 will take the band even further? It definitely seems to be a good time to be a heavy band right now.

Dave: We're not holding any expectations over our head for 05. We went and recorded the best songs we've ever written and had the best producer/engineer on the job and did our best in every aspect of the actual recording process. No corner cutting. We're gonna go and tour our asses off and hope that we can do a lot more with Vendetta than we did with Haymaker. I think that all the pieces are in the right place for that to happen, but who knows, anyhthing can happen. Heavy music is definitely in a good place right now, but that could change in an hour with how strange the industry is. We were doing this band in the ultimate lull of hardcore/heavy music on the West Coast. It's icing on the cake to have more people appreciating the music we've played since 1997, but we'd still play it if us and our friends were the only ones who gave a shit.

UN: Do you think that Ozzfest opened you guys up to a lot of new people? I’m sure a lot of metal fans who might not have been exposed to Throwdown before would be into what you guys were doing and Ozzfest might have served as their introduction.

Dave: I'd be lying through my teeth if I said Ozzfest wasn't the best tour we've ever done on EVERY level. We gained a ton of fans from the tour and it gave new life to an album that was over a year old. It was funny cus we had a shit-ton of kids saying "hey i love the 'new' album." It ruled! haha. We sat on our asses for a while after Haymaker because of people pulling the band in different directions, but Ozzfest turned everything around for us...we made a lot of new fans, a lot of new friends, got to chill with our old friends and got to watch Sabbath and Slayer every night. Rough life huh. haha.

UN: Are you surprised at all by the reception the DVD is receiving? Even people who openly say they don’t like the band still find the DVD entertaining. I have to admit that it is one of the best put together and most funny music DVD’s I’ve ever seen.

Dave: Hahaha i'm glad you feel that way man. I'll definitely tell the dude that made it you said that. Its funny cus we never meant for the DVD to be a full blown release where everyone all over the world could see me sumo wrestling in my underwear or what have you. We just did it for the fans that have been supporting us since the beginning and for our friends that have done the same. We could have just as easily pressed 80 of those things and been stoked cus that would cover all the aforementioned bases. haha. But yeah, i guess it's cool to have kind of a lot of people appreciate the DVD. Just like with our music, though, we could care less about the people that slag it or go out of their way to cut it up in a review or whatever cus it's not made for them. We're not a band for critics and journalists (no offence). We're a band for our fans and friends, and as long as they are backing what we do then it's all good.