How would you classify your music?

Modern pop/alternative rock that's progressive. not hip-hop!

Do you all have day jobs and if so what do you do?

I am a workers' compensation claims examiner during the day. I push paper. I believe that we all have "daytime" jobs.

How did the band get together?

I met Eirik through a mutual friend, who was actually our first singer (Jim). Jim and I worked together at the same company and both shared an interest in the same type and types of music.

I let him know that I had a bass, but was never in a band before and wasn't very good. He said that he had a guitar and we both talked about getting together and "jamming" sometime.

So, I ended up at his house and there was his room mate, Eirik, playing an ovation acoustic by himself in his bedroom. Jim introduced me and asked Eirik if we could "jam" with him. And...we did! That's how it all started.

I had another friend who had a drum kit and messed around a little with it. I ended up planning a meeting where we could all get together and jam. it worked out pretty well and we decided to be a band. then we needed a name.

I think we had three other names before Scarlet Theory. The first was "Happy/Sadface." we then changed our name to "Jokesover." Then we kicked my buddy who played drums out of the band because he was a control freak and we were always fighting at the time.

I had another friend who played drums and we hired him. We then became "Cold Sweat." we had our first gig at a church with some other bands. it was called Music for Missions. we found out soon after that there was a heavy metal band down south that had the name "Cold Sweat" registered somewhere.

We then changed our name to Scarlet Theory! (for more on that, see the answer in another question below!) Jim ended up moving to Hawaii and we needed a front man (this as we were now starting to get gigs!) we placed an add in BAM magazine and Dave was one of the dudes we auditioned.

We strung him out for about a month and then hired him...probably the best thing we ever did and a true turning point for the band in the right direction! since then, we've gone through 8 more drummers and ended up hiring our current drummer, Dan, after another round of auditions. Dan rocks and we're glad he's in the current lineup!

What are your musical backgrounds?

I started playing violin when I was about 10 or 11. I played for about 5 years or so. when I went to high school, there was no orchestra, so I stopped playing.

A friend in high school played guitar (he ripped!) and I sort of formed a pseudo-punk band called "wise and the hosers." We made a live tape that had the hits "My Family Sucks" and "Dirt." I was the singer.

We had a lot of fun and played at a party I had and also made a video tape, but it was pretty silly. somehow, I ended up with an old hollow body bass that belonged to my buddy who played the rippin' guitar. I started messin' around with it and ended up buying another bass from another friend. It was a Kramer that they definitely don't make anymore.

What kind of music do you like to listen to when you're not playing?

Modern rock. jazz. some classical. our two cd's...Ru*barb and Circus-Sized Peanuts.

What do you do to relax?

A hot cup of tea or a bottle of beer.

If you had the chance to jam with any band, who would that be?

That's a tough one to answer. Right now, maybe the Dave Mathews Band. Their really tight and creative.

What's the best thing that has ever happened to you?

Musically, probably playing at the Warfield for the 1996 Bammies. That was very cool. outside of music, probably meeting my wife.

What's the worst thing that has ever happened to you?

This is no joke. In 1989, in a span of no more than 3 months, I was forced out of my job; my fiancee left me for an Arab limo driver; my roommate got rid of my three cats behind my back; my father died and my mother had a nervous breakdown. Top that.

Who writes the songs?

Sometimes Dave writes the songs completely and just presents them to us. Sometimes we jam and a song comes together, then Dave will write some lyrics. Sometimes Eirik will come up with some stuff that he was working on.

Where do you get your Inspiration from?

For me, my band mates inspire me to be a better musician. Also, knowing that we've come so far, there's no reason why we can't go farther as musicians and even become moderately successful.

That inspires me. Also, occasionally reading comic books, or novels, seeing a very good movie or very bad b movie, and alcohol and drugs.

Who thought of the band's name and how did you choose it.?

Jim, our first singer thought of the name. It's really just two words put together that don't have anything to do with each other. That's the true story.

We have made some other stories up that sound pretty cool though, like "Well the Scarlet Theory is the thought process behind the Chaos and the Cosmos and the coming together of everyone's "life-energies" emerging into one harmonies ball." Like that.

Which are your personal favorite songs and why?

Off our CD's my favorites are Familiar Forces off of Ru*barb and The Rest of Forever off of CSP. Those songs in my opinion show off Dave's lyrics of a truly haunted human being. The songs are really dark and unlike some of our poppier stuff.

Do you play many gigs and if so where?

Yes. Check our website at http://www.capsize.com. you can even listen to the songs.

What is your view of the music scene ?

I really think that the "scene" is dead. I don't think that people go out as much and that is due to the video revolution.

The crazy thing is, if I wasn't in Scarlet Theory, I don't think that I would even go out!

It's pretty sad. It has a lot to do with the economy and politics and the fact that there are just too many damn bands out there and the radio is saturated with too much bullshit that plays over and over and over and over.

I have a friend who would rather watch the Rolling Stones on Pay Per View than go and see them live because it's more convenient. People are lazy in general and that's pretty sad.

What bands would you say have had most influence on you?

Rush (in a big way), the Smithereens, Cracker, Primus and others.

What are your plans for the future?

Well, my wife is going to have a baby, so that's going to change things and I'm going to be a father for the first time.

But, I still intend to stay with the band, and hopefully we'll get some backing in the future to get back in the studio and record some more. We're looking forward to playing out again real soon as well.

Any last words or remarks?

I ramble way too much. Thanks for the opportunity and the interest!
We appreciate your support!

Website : http://www.capsize.com
Email : scrlthry@hooked.net