1. Give us a brief history of Benestrophe and your involvement with the band.

In the beginning, Benestrophe was primarily brothers Dwayne and Gary Dassing who founded the band sometime in the early to mid-eighties while Gary and I were in High School. Gary and I met through a mutual friend during our Senior year in the spring of ‘87. Actually, I started out as a very big fan. Gary used to dub some of the earliest Benestrophe tracks for me to listen to. In the summer of ‘88, we recorded our first track (The original version of Pig Butcher. *Note: Speaking of which, the laughing voices on M&TF’s "Sacrilege" are mine and an excerpt from the this very original recording) with little planning and plenty of improv. I found that I really enjoyed writing lyrics, collecting clips and the structuring side while Gary and Dwayne enjoyed programming sounds, composing, sequencing and mixing. The band really provided me with a much needed outlet to express myself. In all honesty, we just did what we felt most comfortable with and the result: "Sensory Deprivation" and "Red Kross" our first two cassette releases that together, would later become the tracks released on the CD.

2. Can you briefly describe some of the lyrics and what they deal with because they definitely tell a story.

The lyrics to the songs indeed, do tell many a story; however, more importantly they describe realities with which I’m sure many of us can relate. Much like how an artist paints what he sees, my writings have always been merely a reflection of my surroundings in technicolor and in as much detail as possible. There are almost always plenty of vivid images painted and underlying messages... I promise you.PSY (Psychosis) presents a paranoid schizophrenic slowly losing voluntary control to the alter personality that is emerging from within all whilst having an intimate conversation with himself. The song best illustrates this by incorporating random voices and a collage of sounds representing the portrayed anguish.Sensory Deprivation, Dog Lab and Downed Cow are my personifications of subjects being held captive in a medical lab experiencing the horrifying and traumatizing fears and agonies associated with the inhumane cruelties and the unethical treatment of defenseless animals.

3. Elaborate on as many songs as you would like to.

D.I. Bomber voices protest against mankind’s ignorance and the repetitive indulgences of war over the decades. The song directly attacks violence over what I consider trivial matters such as territorial gains and the forcing and converting of religious beliefs.Endangered Species tells a tale of two extra-terrestrial voyagers exploring a distant galaxy for possible contact with intelligent life only to find a wasteland of ruin and global destruction. They are very confused for they are so advanced that they have absolutely no comprehension of the all too familiar concept of war.Ritual speaks of a magnificent reincarnation of a very dear companion whom, through ritualistic ceremonies has returned to the physical realm once again.Red Kross describes a pestilence of human devise that has been spread by self-appointed messengers of death and become an overpowering epidemic much like a modern disease that we are accustomed to hearing about today.

4. I hear that you are going to be recording new songs with Dwayne and Gary - what should we expect as in theme or subject matter?

Yes. I have already written lyrics for a possible new track titled "Resurrection Mary". This will be the first time we have worked together since 1990. You can anticipate hearing a revamped, overhauled and updated approach. Of course, we will continue to capture and deploy Benestrophe’s original dark overtones but in ways superior to what we could produce years ago. Technology has improved and with it capabilities as well as the band’s potential. I feel it will be a challenge working with them again but at the same time I suspect that this endeavor will flow as smoothly and as naturally as it always has even from the beginning.

5. How do you feel about the re-surgence of Benestrophe?

I am very pleased with the idea. I’ve wondered for years what the band would have sounded like today if only we had continued working together. Especially after hearing the material they are producing this day and age. I always felt that the demise of Benestrophe was such a waste of talent. It died before the world even had a chance to hear it. Many, many thanks to RAS DVA and M&TF for the salvaging of the archived master tapes and for the release of the CD. Without whom this would never have been possible.

6. Would you like to re-record any of the earlier trax? If so, which ones?

Sure. I’m a very eccentric and extremely nostalgic personality. In my eyes, some of the earlier tracks gravely deserve it. I would like to hear possible re-recordings of Endangered Species, Ritual, H.I.V. and Shall Not Want. I’m sure there are many others.

7. How do you feel about the paranormal?

I’m sure this question is in reference to some of the rather questionable subject matter I choose to write about. I’ve always had a keen fixation with the Supernatural as I’m sure we all do in some form. Mankind knows so very little of what lies beyond and has always been afraid of what could not be explained. The self- proclaimed "experts" can only hope to theorize. There is much more at work here than what appeals to the senses... I’m sure.

8. What are your beliefs?

I’m glad you asked. Lets get it all out in the open. I believe in natural laws and the possibility of the existence of anything. I believe that there is a shortage of love on the globe. I believe in freedom whether it be of expression, religion, sexuality or otherwise. I believe in individualism and have faith in the underdogs in the world wherever you are.