I've never denied the fact that I'm a lazy man. I was supposed to send questions to Withered back in September, which turned into the end of October. I got it back a short time later, and here it is (almost) December and I am just now posting it (partly due to laziness and partly due to the fact that it takes a long time to make a website). Withered is an awesome metal band from Georgia whose new album, Memento Mori, is well worth picking up.

1. State an interesting fact about you and each of your bandmates.
Hmmm....well, I actually have 11 fingers. It really helps me play guitar much better. Ok, not really, but I do have three testicles. Ok, that's a lie too. Actually, Something that I find interesting about myself is that I can usually get pretty damn drunk off only 5 or 6 beers (or shots). Chris, on the other hand, can get drunk with only 3 or 4 drinks but then again he weighs like 140 and I weigh 220 (I'm the fat guy in the band). Chris is also completely vegan and is quite the activist at time. Greg is a welder of welders and can make just about anything out of metal. Wes, well, he's just Wes. He's having a baby in December (or his wife is). Actually, Greg's wife is having a baby in Feb. also. So, the next generation of withered is already beginning!!

2. How stoked are you to be touring Europe with Mastodon and High on Fire? How did that tour come about? Are you at all bummed that most of the shows will be in England?
We're stoked THIS MUCH (that's quite a lot actually). Yeah, we're really fucking excited to go over and play. Well, Troy from Mastodon is also the bassist for a grind band that Chris and I are also in called social infestation. So, we've known each other for about a decade now. When Mastodon was on tour with Ozzfest, Troy called me one evening and asked if withered would be interested in touring with them in the UK for about a week. I don't think we're really bummed about anything. We're just grateful to be going. Sure, it'd be nice to play in more countries but we plan to come back over and take care of that as soon as we can.

3. Is it tough for a band that is relatively new and not immensely popular (yet) to get on good tours, or even good out of state shows?
Absolutely. Since all of us come from other bands that had been playing for quite sometime and had built a name in many cities, we were used to getting decent shows/tours. having to start over again can be a bit frustrating. It's tough for a newer band to be taken seriously. It's getting a little easier these days but is still a hassle a lot of times.

4. Whats the most frustrating aspect of being in a band?
I would say that the most frustrating part is being able to afford to be in a band. We make a lot of sacrifices so this will work and sometimes it can cause ulcers. Especially for those of us with families to worry about.

5. What member of a band (besides vocals) is the most difficult to replace?
I would probably have to say A) If one person writes most of the material, that person OR B) a good drummer. It's hard as shit to find good drummers.

6. Whats one movie everyone should see?
"The Warriors." What a badass movie. Can you dig it?

7. What plans do you have for 2006?
Hopefully, we'll get to do some cool tours and play some fests this year. that would rule. we'll also be writing along the way to start work on our second album. It takes a while for us to write sometimes so we plan to give ourselves plenty of time.

8. For Halloween, you will dress up as...
My little brother. When he was little, he used to wear a cardboard hat from long john silvers (remember those?), an eye patch, a plastic mustache, and he would carry a clothes hangar for a hook hand. I think that's what I'm gonna do. It's called "6 year old Drew's rendition of a pirate". That's my latest idea. I'll be in Las Vegas for halloween so maybe I'll dress up as Sigfried or Roy. I just have to get someone to be my white tiger (remember that band?).

9. Whats a little known fact about Georgia?
Very few people realize that Georgia is actually right next to Alabama. The only reason I know this is because I live just 40 miles from the Alabama border. It's also the home state for many stars like Julia Roberts and that guy that played Newman on Seinfeld (he's from cartersville and so is my girlfriend).

10. Name one album, besides your own, that you feel all kids should have in their collection.
No way, I'm gonna name a few. One is just not enough. First off, If you're just starting out, I recommend Metallica's "...and justice for all" and "ride the lightning". You must also have Immortal's "Sons of northern darkness". I also recommend Assuck's "misery index" and Nuerosis' "through blood and silver". For the more obscure listener, you cannot beat "Dead as dreams" by Weakling. Some of the best black metal ever made. If you go out and buy any of these, have patience. If they don't click with you right a way, keep listening to them. Eventually, lock yourself in a dark room at night and just listen to the record. It should be one of the greatest musical experiences of your life. Oh, and don't forget to buy our CD (ha, I did it anyway).

11. Final comments.
Thanks so much for the interview. I really enjoyed the questions and we really appreciate the support. Hopefully, we'll see some of your readers on the road!!!

Interview by: RF

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