1) The reason I chose the name Jihad for our group is because I found the definition to be very meaningful. I didn't choose the name to coincide with the game 'Vampire' formly known as 'Jyhad'. I do like the game and can appreciate it but the name in general was not purposely chosen to reflect vampires. The definition I found to be more appropriate was "A crusade for a principal or belief". Jihad is on a more personal level and we both feel that if there are some things worth believing in, they should be expressed wholeheartedly. There is definitely something to be said about standing behind what you perceive to be true. Our music is created purely with feeling and emotion which lets us know that we are still alive. Generally, we don't plan how we want the music to sound. It just subconsciously manifests that way. I guess it all depends on the mood that we are in that day.

2) I first came in contact with Vampire (Jyhad) sometime in 1994. The first impression I got of this role playing fantasy game was that it was really in depth. To elaborate, I could tell that there was a lot of time invested creating as well as playing the game. It appeared to be really interesting and I greatly admired the artwork for each of the cards.

3) I've thought about it before and what it would really be like to survive and such. That doesn't mean that I would actually go out and do it though.

4) To be honest with you, I really don't have an opinion since I don't keep up with Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles much. I've read a few but haven't gotten taken.

5) It hasn't been out all that long due to some technical difficulties. Our debut release 'A Prayer in the Night' was released here in the states about a month ago and was released simultaneously in Europe.

6) The three tracks that appear on Dora Blue were recorded during the same session as the full-length and actually intervened though the full-length was completed before Dora Blue was ever released. By the time Dora Blue was released, the full-length was in the process of being remastered, having the colors chosen, graphics created, and a few other details that would complete the CD. In contrast, the reason behind the difference in style/texture between the Dora Blue tracks and 'A Prayer In The Night' is that most of the tracks that appear on the full-lengthwere composed a year prior and the tracks from Dora Blue were actually written for that particular release. Time can definitely plays a big role on creativity.

7) The reason behind incorporating a lot of melody in the extended mix on the compilation was to allow the listener to appreciate the subdued instrumental pieces in the original version and actually hear the substance behind the song. There is definitely a distinct difference between a synth piece being blended in the background of a song and that very same synth piece being raised up front with the other pieces. It can sometimes alter the sound of the entire song. Also, I had just purchased a few more keyboards and decided to use different sounds.

8) Unfortunately, we haven't had the pleasure of performing yet. We've had offers to open up for Mentallo & the Fixer on several occasions but with conflicting schedules. The last time that I performed live was about four or five years ago with a band named 'Beat Nihil', which sort of just faded away. I am looking forward to playing a local show here in San Antonio sometime in the future. I think it would definitely be a culture shock for this city.

9) Rich, you are a member of Benestrophe and also a guest or live-musician on Mentallo and the fixer shows, too. Am I right? Where else are you (and/or James) member of (or have you been joining in)? Are you able to live off of your musical activities? Are you hobby- or full time musicians?

Rich: Yes, in honor of our origin, I am still and will probably always be a member of Benestrophe. Also, I have been planning sessions with Mentallo for some time. Things have never been very formal in our circle so the outcome may appear on a Benestrophe or Mentallo release. Unfortunately, due to circumstance and consequent time constraints which I will elaborate on, my contributions have been limited to studio recordings. I guess you could say that we are part-time artists since we work the 40+ hours a week in the Information Systems field.
James: I am currently involved with a side project titled 'Trial By Fire' which includes myself and a vocalist named Jaime Chavez. We incorporate aspects on the opposite end of the spectrum in contrast to Jihad. The music is electronic but different and we've even incorporated some acoustic guitar on a couple of tracks. If anybody is interested and seeks more information they can email me at the address listed below. Rich and I don't rely on music for a living. We create music because we really enjoy it. It is a past time that has been with us for over ten years now and will probably be forever.

10) To a large extent, analog gear is responsible for the thick basslines and dark overtones which create our sound. I would have to say that the most important contributions to the sound are the effects. If employed properly, the outcome can add a really wide and intricate overall sound. Of course the keyboards are very important but the effects enhance and provide that finishing touch.

11) The reason I chose various pitch-shifted effects throughout the Jihad album is because I felt it thickened and complimented Rich's vocals and fit the style of the music that I was writing. I guess I used those types of effects a lot but I've always liked them even during the days of Benestrophe. They chose those types of effects at times and I always liked them. We are planning the next release to be a lot more up-beat and contain little or no pitch-shifting in vocals.

12) You're right about the tracks on the album. They all share more or less a common tempo and that was purely intentional. On this particular release, we chose to concentrate more on compositional substance and didn't intend for it to climb the club charts. It was created to beappreciated musically and as an intelligent form of expression. Also, the reason I felt more comfortable with working in slower tempos was because the sound was less cluttered and the listener could actually hear more instruments being played and effects being used. I've noticedthat in faster tempos, I am forced to comprimise detail which is fine. Sometimes, people just want to dance to a beat and have a good time.

13) We originally started recording material for 'A Prayer in the Night' in January of 1995 and had more than enough time to finish up the album. Some of the tracks that were recorded for the album were originally composed as far back as 1993 (Hands That Hide which was originally composed for Trial By Fire). There is a significant time lapse between some of the tracks which, in my opinion, is quite apparent. The most recent track composed for the album was 'Spectre'.

14) Do you have a favorite?

Rich: Overall, Shades of Grey which was written solo by James because it’s one of those tracks straight from the heart and emotionally genuine. On the full length, Spectre because I think we were at our creative peak in that session.
James: I'd say that my favorite track is 'Flying Dutchman' (even though it is not on the full length) because I like the moods it projects and it contains a lot of change. Like human emotion, some parts seem cruel, and at other times it reveals a lighter, more compassionate side.

15) Rich: I feel the suffering mask represents certain characteristics about our music but more importantly people in general. The picture is simply one extreme of a balance and personally, it happens to represent the way I was feeling during that particular session. At the time, I was burned out on life, my career wasn't going anywhere, my relationship was in the gutter and I felt as if I had reached the absolute lowest point in my life. Sometimes, I think that the lyrics to the songs were subtle cries for help. I am of the opinion that everyone wears masks whether or not they choose to admit it and it's fascinating to discover what's really going on inside as opposed to what's being perceived by others? It's in the papers and on the news everyday... Miss Popular who has everything to live for shocks the community with her suicide.
James: Everything is never perpetually on a high and there will always be ups and downs in any circumstance. We felt that it would best portray what people would be listening to. The picture was actually taken by me and was manipulated by my roommate Chad Authier. He is a professional graphics artist and has helped me on several occasions by investing his time. Ric chose the inside design, which in my opinion works well with the rest of the layout. It turned out well considering the circumstances and delays.

16) How important are your lyrics to you? Do they contain pure fiction?

Rich: The lyrics to the songs are as intricate and important to me as my brother's musical compositions. As a lyricist and vocalist, I am responsible for delivering the communicational aspects of the group and for delivering the messages behind what we stand for. Yes and no some of the lyrical content is fictional; however, still contains non-fictional references. It is my intent to blend and confuse the two considering that I believe nearly every fictitious story, folklore, legend or myth is inspired or based on some form of fact. For example, a little known secret behind the childhood nursery rhyme "Ring Around the Rosies" is that it actually describes the deaths and disposal of the bodies during a historical plague epidemic.

17) From what I have been gathering from people, the album seem to be perceived as dark. Again, we never planned any of the material that was recorded. It was simply manifested that way probably based on the way we were feeling at the time. We are very positive people and big fans of life but we don't view negative energies as darkness or evil. It's simply the opposite end ofthe spectrum and without it you wouldn't be able to differentiate the difference between the two. As always, somewhere in between are shades of grey.

18) James: I have been writing music for nearly ten years now. Rich has been involved for over ten years. As a youth, I was inspired greatly by Benestrophe. I used to watch them practice, record material and play live shows here in San Antonio, Texas. Locally, they were very unique and globally, there weren't many bands doing this. Personally, I've never really had any formal musical training. I took Music Theory and Music Appreciation in school and even took a few piano lessons a long time ago but I don't feel that schooling has contributed much. Classes can provide a foundation to build on; however, sometimes they can be too rigid and binding. I'd like to thank Mentallo. Gary and Dwayne have helped me build a solid foundation and establish myself and I thank them greatly for their support and inspiration through the years.

19) I used to have this dream a very long time ago. It may seem odd, but I always wanted to be affiliated and/or work with cEVIN KEY. We have always been big fans of his work and greatly admire his talent.

20) There isn't a very big discography for Jihad. We were featured on the quad compilation titled 'There Is No Time', 'Dora Blue', our debut album 'A Prayer In The Night', and this double CD compilation titled 'Awake The Machines' which was just recently released by Out Of Line.

21) Currently, I am working on material for the next release. I have been doing a lot of remastering and digitally editing for other groups and have a lot of plans. I promise that there is a lot to look forward to.

22) The future looks bright... We plan to finish the new album, continue writing music and focusing on advancing in our career fields. As always, we welcome correspondence from any listeners. I can be reached at mendezj@juno.com and Richard can be reached at rmendez@world-net.net.