Since the interview that you did with Adrenalin 'Zine back in March 2000, two of the DFD members have left. How has their departure affected the band? What is your current line-up?

We have 2 new members, Jason Stepp is our new guitar player and Mike Oliver is our new drummer.  I don't know how the new guys will change the songwriting process because we haven't written anything together yet, but the live show is unstoppable with these two.  They have a lot of insane energy.


"Committed To A Bright Future", your 2nd release under the Spitfire Record label, was recently released. How is that going so far? How has your music progressed/changed since your last album?

I think our new material is more focused than our previous effort.  The songs seem to be arranged better in my opinion and the album isn't as dark as "Anarchists".


How well is Spitfire treating you?

That is a sore subject.  I'll just say they need to get more albums in the stores.


This album was produced by Drew Mazurak (GWAR, Nothingface). How much of an influence does he have on the overall sound of your music? Do you get advice from him about your live sound as well?

Drew in the recording process gives his opinion which we all respect and sometimes he causes us to willingly change an aspect of the song.


As you are on stage performing, what goes through your mind?

I'm in a trance when I'm onstage and I just concentrate on singing in key.


Have you ever had any voice lessons or professional training?

I took vocal lessons for a week about 5 years ago and had to stop because I couldn’t afford it. I’ve picked up everything pretty much on my own. I am usually always in key if I can hear myself well in the stage monitor.


What goes on back stage after the show?

We drink a lot and then go out into the crowd and try to meet some ladies.


In the Dog Fashion Disco message bored, the question is asked: Why aren't Dog Fashion Disco 50 times bigger than they are now? What is your response to that?

We can only get so big on the label that we have right now.  If there was a major who could expose us to a bigger audience, we would be a lot bigger.


Who comes up with the lyrics for your songs? Do a lot of them have meaning that is about personal experiences?

I come up with the lyrics and for the most part, I just try to tell a story and don't sing about personal stuff too much.


What are the lyrics for "Rapist Eyes" about?

Rapists eyes is basically an individual who is raped and falls in love with the rapist. The chorus mentions burning down the temple where the children were sleeping as if to say the body is the temple and the children represent this person’s innocence.


Do you consider DFD a successful band?

We have achieved what a lot of bands we started out with have not.  I think our biggest achievement is that we haven't given up.


Besides having more records in the stores, what changes do you think could take place to make DFD more successful?

We have a hard time getting good tours which is crucial for exposure. If we do get on dates with a bigger band it's usually for only a couple of shows. We need to go out with a big band for an extended period of time. When this has happened in the past it has been very successful in us gaining new fans.


What should a person do if they truly want to experience Dog Fashion Disco?

Buy the CD, come to a live show, and if they're female, sleep with the band.


When I saw the band Tubring, I noticed the drummer was wearing a Dog Fashion disco shirt. When I saw Dog Fashion Disco, I noticed the bassist wearing a Tubring shirt. What is the connection between the two bands?

We have toured together and have a lot of mutual fans. When we toured we all became little buddies and I guess we both wear free shirts.


Do you have any final comments, jokes, advice, or complaints that you would like to add?

How do you know if you're at a gay cookout?  The hotdogs taste like Shit. Ha Ha

THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW, TODD DFD
www.dogfashiondisco.com

 

Check out Dog Fashion Disco's previous interview with Adrenalin 'Zine (from 3-6-2000).  Click HERE to see it!

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