Hello everyone! The awesome Lurid God got chosen to interview Mr. Havok who was gracious enough to agree to do an interview for the Church! Mad and much thanks to both of them for doing this!

The 'View

First of all, I would like to say, I am happy to be doing this interview for CoH. Think of the time you interviewed the wonderful Robert Smith (loooove the Cure, love, love, mad love.), and that is how I feel.

Just for politenesses sake, I think it is fair that you have some general information on who the fuck is taking up your time.

Im Erin, I hang out at the Church occasionally, because theyre friendly nice people, and Ill be your interviewer today. Ta da. Lets get this question session started.

Nice to meet you Erin. I can't quite imagine someone having the sames feelings for me as I hold for RS. I am flattered.

Lets begin with a few questions about the band

All the questions without From*insert name here* are obviously mine. Duh.

How much electronic influence can we expect on the new album? How much acoustic influence?

Honestly, the answer is, I don't know. At this point we have written so many songs but are yet unsure as to which will comprise the album. I think it is safe to say however, that there will in fact be some of both. So there you go. Some is your answer.

What are you looking forward to most about getting back on the road, besides playing shows?

I'm of, course, very much looking forward to playing shows when that far of first tour arrives. Other than that, we've made some good friends along the way over the years and it's always a pleasure to see them. Hopefully we'll be able to bring some of them on tour with us. There's plenty of favorite Vegan restaraunts around this nation of ours to look forward to as well. Also, I really miss seeing our touring family with a frequency. It will be nice to be back together.

What do you truly think about the Church of Havok? Obviously we are not serious about actually worshipping you as God, and nor do we hold meetings where we slit our wrists in your name, or plan to do a mass suicide on your lawnof course not. (no never *shifty eyes*). Chill, I am joking. Its an on going joke here at the Church because we get so much bullshit from people for having a fansite to you that happens to be referred to as a Church. We fight back with sarcasm, and watch their pitiful, gullible reactions to it.

So enough of my babbling, but why such the accepting attitude towards the Church? Please be truthful and blunt.

If someone doesn't start really treating me like a God again I'm totally out of here. I demand prayer, praise and a purely monotheistic dogma centered around me and my word. That having been said, I find the church to be an honor. Who wouldn't?

I doubt this will ever happen and I am not being pessimistic. Its a fun what if question! Say AFI were to split (God forbid!), what the hell would you do with yourself? Would you continue to work as a musician? If you could no longer work as a musician (God forbid that too.), what would you do?

Really the only other passion I've had since I was young is acting. I still dream of Broadway and would love to do something on stage or screen. I'd imagine I'd try to make something happen in that artistic arena but would most likely still continue to write and sing in some project or other. I'd also hope that glitterboy would still be going and would continue to put creative energy into that.

There might be a Joy Division movie coming out about Ian Curtis. Rumour say that Jude Law or Ewan McGregor were being considered for the part of Ian. People think Jude's too old, but they could cover his wrinkles with make-up anyway. Jude Law looks a good deal like Ian in my opinionbut Ewan rocks and he can sing wellwhats your take on it? Who do you think should play Ian?

I agreee in that Jude really looks like Ian. I'd think he'd do a great job and I could probably get over the age thing. Though, that is not to say Ewan woudln't also do a good job. They're both fantastic actors.

From Jaitara-Kun:
Alright. So, being a famous musician and all, is it at all possible for you to go out in public and not have loads of rabid fans swarming around you?

Yes, my anonymity still holds in most places. Especially where I live. There are a few places where it is a bit difficult to go but those are all the places that one would expect. I tend to avoid them or I go prepared. It's rarely a case of mobs and if someone approaches me in a calm collected manner to say hello it's always nice.

Now, of course, you weren't always this widely known. I'm sure for a while you were just another person as far as anyone else was concerned, able to go through life and not have people pay attention to your every move. What's it like, knowing that you might not ever be able to go back to that? Do you ever really miss it?

Well, it can be a bit unsettling to know that you're being watched all the time, but as I said, that's not truly my reality. Though, the small bit of fame I've been granted has made me empathize with the truly famous. It allows you to see how disgusting tabloids really are and how willing people are to dehumanize stars. I however realize that it is a part of what I do. I love what I do and would never trade it for a more anonymous less fulfilling lifestyle.

I also have some questions from the kids at the Church.

From Exodia:
What advice would you give for a fall child who wants to persuade her family into letting her be a vegan? Any words of wisdom for Exodia?

That's difficult. The first thing I'd advise is to read the book Diet For a New America and encourage your family to do the same. If you can make them understand that what you're doing is not only morally advanced but also scientifically beneficial to your health, they may be more open to accepting your lifestyle. The book can help with this.

From XantiheroX:
What is your favorite type of weather? Personally, I love monotone neutral colored days, such as rainy and snowy days. I find these days to be remarkably romantic.

I'm a fan of overcast, slightly cool windy or foggy days. The temperature can range from t-shirt passable to furry jacket necessary.

Haha, and a few random questions from Jaitara-Kun:
Also, I'm curious... just about everyone has a favorite band, even if they're in a band themselves. What band would you say is your favorite, and how do you think you stack up to them?

No, I just don't have a favorite band. I'm sorry. You'd have to get extremely genre specific for me to even try to name one and then I'd probably list at least three.

And from TheDeathofSt.Jimmy:
If you had kids how would you raise them to not get into drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other stuff? When I grow up that's one of my biggest worries. Any advice?

I can't even begin to imagine that and would rather not thank you.

Do you ever find it hard to deal with the overwhelming stupidity of some people?

Daily.

Which is your favorite beverage?

I just discovered flax frappe....mmmm good.

From Cheesy:
What albums are you looking forward to this year? Personally, I can't wait for the new NIN album and AFI's....of course.

This is going to be a good year. New NIN, new QOTSA, new VNV, new APOP, new Covenant, new Mars Volta, new Low and a new TOOL I believe. Might make up for last year.

Are you all excited about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Two great men.

Too much goodness.

From Drew our residential asshole and egotistical maniac whose other questions were far too inappropriate to ask you. Thats why we love him:
Oh my f-ing god do I love Mt. Dew. It is the drink of the gods. Do you like Mt. Dew?

In a forgotten time when I was a young teen, I drank a lot of it. All of original afi did in fact. I don't drink soda anymore aside from the occasional Root Beer or Ginger Ale.

From Madsion:
Whats your favorite curse word? Mine is Damnit. Its simple, yet fun.

I'm a fan of the classic "fuck" but putting Christ somewhere near it makes for good times. Such as Jesus fucking Christ, or ChristFuck!

And a shit load (I say shit load in an affectionate way) of questions From Laura:
I can not listen to Story at Three without crying or having to turn it off altogether because it hurts too much to listen to it sometimes... Is there any song you have written that does that to you?

I almost cried the first time we played This Time Imperfect live. I had to stop myself so I could continue singing.

What AFI song aside from the chicken song do you like least or dislike most?

Really, there are a handful of pre 97 songs of which I'm not very interested in taking ownership. I still don't know what this chicken song is.

Which one do you prize above all others?

I just can't pick favorites of the children.

What is the last thing someone said to you that made you laugh so hard you cried?

Jade made fun of a DJ the other day while we were driving around. You would have to have been there to get it but it made me laugh till I cried.

Also I was wondering if Nick13 was going to grace the new album with his backing vocals at all? You and Nick compliment eachother beautifully, I really like the dynamic there.

Nick is amazing. We can all only hope.

From sxe fiend:
I once watched a public service announcement where there were all these people in a city who are blowing bubbles instead of smoking. Isn't that neat?
If you could persuade the public in a commercial to not do drugs/alcohol/etc., how would you approach it?

Hmm. That could go on forever. I think it would include graffic depictions of how awful people are when they are on different substances - little vinettes filled with drunks, mind melted hippies, that sorta thing - then some hard visuals depicting the biological ramifications.

From Pip:
What's your opinion on folk rock? (Bluehorses alla way!)

I'm a fan of quite a few folk artists. E. Smith, DIJ, Drake...

Who's your favourite comedian? Do you like Ross Noble?

I don't really have one nor do I know who Ross is.

From Jaya:
What's your favorite kind of muffin?

Stud.

Do you like Garbage (the band, you silly!)?

I do.

Would you like to win the lottery one day?

Hah, it doesn't typically cross my mind but sure.

From Roo:
Is there one fan/group of fans you can distinctly remember as doing something crazy or particularly odd to get your attention or show their love for you?

Someone once got a hold of original soft plastic doughboys and painted them as eff and fuck for me. I love them so.

From Writer in the Dark:
What club if any, do you love most in Berkeley, Frisco, or Oakland?

If you mean venue, the Troc was always my favorite to see or play shows. It's closed now.

From xXBXRsingsthesorrowXx:
If you could go any where in the world and could take only 3 people, who would you take?

I'd rather just send my Mother, Father and Grandmother to the destination of their choice, if not, just send me to vegas with TLR.

From Tazzica:
Name one song (by another artist or band) you feel describes your life the best.

I guess that would have to be the song Frank sings in the Rocky Horror Show.

From Souless:
Whose your favorite author?

I wish I could answer these favorite questions. Do people really have sole favorites? Palahniuk is one of my favorite current authors.

From AworldofViolets:
Do you remember the first song you ever recorded with the band? I know dork was the first release of afi's work but, was there any others that didn't make the cut?

We used to record all of our practices on this "my first fischer price" tape recorder that my grandfather found in the gutter outside my folks' house. The "this is rizzo in the box" sample is from one of those tapes. There are songs that we recorded prior to Dork in our friends fathers house studio. They were on demo tapes called "cool like Jonna" that I hope none of you ever hear.

From hxb:
What do you think of new music now? new emerging (sp?) bands and such?

Really, there's very little new guitar based music that I'm into, though I deeply love those bands that do catch my interest. Interpol, TV on the Radio, Mars Volta and APC are all amazing. This is not to say I don't listen to rock anymore, most of it is just from decades past or from artists that have been around quite some time (MOZ, NIN etc.) Otherwise, most of the new music that really touches me comes from one of the electronic sub genres. I have little to no interest in most of which is, today, considered to be punk, or emo, or screamo or whatever.

From Leigh:
AFI is known for being 'genre-splitters' for being able to fit in a various range of genres and collecting fans from a diverse range of genres.
Did you intend or know this was going to happen, was it a thrill to get all theres different people coming and telling you mean so much to them?

We're very lucky to have such a diverse fan base. Because we walk the line between many genres we're thankfully able to draw fans from many musical backgrounds. It's very satisfying. This was never a specific intent, we just have always wanted to make music that we enjoyed and hoped others would enjoy it as well.

"AFI" the nitro years came out not too long ago. The band didn't have any descision or choice in any part of it and on the A Fire Inside site you apologized to the fans. As well as being upset were you angry that you didnt' have a part in it. Do you think it was the best selection of your songs?

We were upset that it was created at all and wanted no part of it. I honeslty don't know exactly what is on that comp. I do know that there are some songs that I truly wish were never released let alone showcased on such an embarrassing release (rolling balls is one), and I've heard that the artwork of the picture disc was totally campy and inappropriate.

From Jaden on behalf of Will:
Littlegirllost is an unsigned UK band who had their first headline show on the fourth of Jan. They did amazingly well. The lead singer William Gould is heavily influenced by you and David Bowie (who is also god). He wants to know if you ever miss the old Easy Bay Hardcore kids from back in the day?

Hah, no. They either work for us, hang out with me when I'm home, or are off eating cheeseburgers and selling speed.

From Jaden our beloved site manager:
In a paragraph no less than five sentences, using three commas and two semi-colons (all correctly); describe the feeling of being on stage putting your entire heart into your performance as best you can.

Ever dreamt you can fly? It's like that.

Erin: Finally, from me, and I hope you dont think this too personal, but I am aspiring to be an English major and I want to know. What did you major in while you were in college?

Right before I quit to pursue a rock n roll lifestyle, I declared an English Psych double.

Erin: I realize, these are a shit load of questions and you're a busy man, I would think. So, all the time in the world is yours to answer them. Believe me, you could take until the end of the world, and none of would complain and be jerks, because we're grateful you even agreed to this.

Thank you for your time, it has been greatly appreciated.

My plesure, Thank you. I apologize for whatever mispellings and typos there are. I tried to check but I kan't spel gud.

DXH

Much respect Erynn