Ask John Koviak why he chose the name 'Sub Version' rather than 'Subversion' and he'll just shrug. "That's just the way it appeared to me when I was thinking of a name to go under."

It's that kind of attitude, a saviour fare, which has somehow catapulted California's favourite son into gothic super star status in the states. There, like the bar in Cheers, everyone seems to know his name. Having it pop up frequently doesn't hurt. Live he's been seen helping out Faith and The Muse (among other acts). Who said you had to have black hair to be a goth?

Still, he's not out to deliberately smash cliches.

"Everything in my life seems to 'just happen that way'. If what I do comes across as being "Gothic" so be it, but I don't set out with that intention. I imagine a horrible, self-limiting, suffocating feeling when I think of the people who chose to resign themselves COMPLETELY to a specific genre like that.

"I've found that the quest for uniqueness amongst the masses is most readily achieved by just truly "being" yourself. If that self happens to have blonde hair...............then let it show!"

In the search for expression John admits he's taken a few blind alleys, and a few wrong turns. Earlier on in his career he suited up as a Nazi for a Propaganda magazine photo shoot.

"I'm sure most people realized that it was simply a costume and I was merely a model. Although if put in that situation again, I would most likely decline. At the time I was quite young and naive and I hadn't yet taken an active interest in my own background and family history, where that symbolism plays an especially sinister role. Nor was I mature enough to realize that everything we do effects others, whether we care or not.

"I wouldn't wear that outfit again simply out of respect to the countless numbers of my beloved Polish countrymen and others who perished fighting against that Black Uniform.

"For over-exposure and other various reasons, I no longer have any association with that Magazine, and haven't for many years," he continues.

With personal development comes musical development. How does John feel Sub Version have progressed from two earlier demo tapes?

"I prefer to continue moving forward and not to spend too much time dissecting the past works," he explains.

"I avoid developing patterns and formulas when creating music, instead I prefer to keep the process random and 'magical'."

Inspiration comes in many forms. John's bio makes much of love and pain in his music : 'a love destroyed, turmoil that consumes the soul, and pain that is forever.'

"Perhaps the bio should of made a more direct reference to "emotion" in general," he explains, "More often than not, technical virtuosity supersedes the purity of emotional transfer through music.

"I don't think that my music should be judged as 'good' or 'bad', it's just 'Me', completely, and some may relate to it or not. These 'musical thoughts' can be from my own personal experiences or from observations I've made."

Is there a great Sub Version love song? "That should be a question for me to ask of the listener."

Perhaps then: What is the perfect love? "The perfect love? If I knew what it was, then maybe I wouldn't be doing what I am," he laughs. The search for meaning continues.

I've got a good question: Does the soul exist? "The soul is born the moment you proclaim it exists," he answers cautiously.

'The Winds of War album comes with a poem inside. Is there a difference between writing lyrics for music and writing poetry?

"No, I think that they're essentially one and the same. The Poem inside the CD book is one of my first attempts at a non-musical form which more or less came to me in a dream."

Working in a band of one, is it easier for you to get your ideas out of your head and into a recorded format?

John decries modern expectation that to create music one must first have a band. "This is something that I have never allowed myself to think," he says admitting that it isn't so much easier to compose alone.

"It's just more natural that way."

How about allowing someone to come in and remix your work?

When you hear a song that you like on the radio today, it's impossible to discern if what you're hearing is the result by the artist or the producer, who is convinced he's divinely guided to tell you just how your music should sound! Sometimes to know less is to know more.

I'd rather keep it pure for now, although I have heard remixes that did amazing new things for the original. That would be the exception to the rule though..

And what of his relationship with William and Monica (Richards). I notice she designed your CD cover.

"Monica is a good friend who's graphic design skills were essential in bringing my raw ideas and materials together into a shining, finished product."

You went along with them on the Apparition tour - how was that?

"It was a much needed break that allowed me to get re acquainted with an old friend (my guitar) and spend time with some great people".

At this point in seemed prudent to ask why John had chosen a more electronic means of music, rather than a guitar oriented path.

Technology, he says, allows him to work alone.

"Yet there is a side of me that loves the guitar and it's unique voice. I haven't completely abandoned that type of instrumentation just yet".

And live? My own limited experience has lead me to find that electronically based bands frequently have to struggle to keep the audiences attention.

"I think that if the music is effective enough in it's purpose, then it won't matter who's jumping up and down on stage or who's transfixed behind a stack of synthesisers," he says.

"Too much importance is put on the individuals' musical virtuosity and not enough is put on the transfer of ideas and emotions from composer to audience (which are) my live performance priorities.

"It's just another way that electronic technology has helped me is that it allowed me to stand apart from the competitive and petty norms of the drums, bass, and guitar world."

Finally, why the decision to cover Joy Division's 'Heart and Soul' for the tribute compilation? It's certainly a profound and powerful Joy Division song.

"Above all other modern musical influences, Joy Division has had the most profound effect on me. Beginning from the very first listen. I humbled myself and contributed what I thought would be a unique interpretation and tribute to its legacy."

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