Dean Roland, guitarist for Stockbridge, Georgia's own Collective Soul, had the honor of being LAUNCH.com's first celebrity chat guest in the new year, when he stopped by our chat room on January 11. Though he was still nursing a broken arm (the pain of which was only exacerbated by recent rainy weather, oddly enough), he was in good spirits, answering fans' questions about the pros and cons of being in a band with his brother Ed, the controversy surrounding C-Soul's "Why Pt. 2" video, life on the road, religion, the group's friendship with collaborator Elton John, and his personal stance on the issue of live bootlegging. Oh, and of course, he talked about C-Soul's newest album, Blender--their fifth, which makes them bona fide veterans in the fickle and ever-changing world of alternative rock. Read on and see why success hasn't spoiled them yet.

launch_collective_soul: Hello, glad you're here tonight!

creedfanatic29l: Did you guys make any New Year's resoution? If so what are they?
launch_collective_soul: I made a resolution several years ago to never make another resolution.

ive_had_a_perfect_dayl: What's the story behind the "Needs" music video?
launch_collective_soul: There really wasn't a story, it was more of a visual thing.

austin_6_60l: will you be putting out an acoustic album anytime soon?
launch_collective_soul: No, ha ha, but we actually just played acoustic in Morocco for this show called "Music In High Places." It airs next month, on DirecTV. MTV will air it in the spring.

silverangel_dizzyl: If you could be any super hero who would it be and why?
launch_collective_soul: I don't know, I am a superhero. It'd be...AquaMan. I like to swim.

Jim1983l: What style do you prefer playing: Louder, rockier tunes (Heavy, Where the River Flows, You speak my language) or softer acoustic ones (Needs, Run, etc)?
launch_collective_soul: Both, but probably when we play loud it's more fun to play the upbeat songs, the higher-energy songs.

LyndseyLaunch: In your live show, why does Will (bassist) stand in the back near Shane (drums)?
launch_collective_soul: To be the rhythm section--it makes the stage more symmetrical. He wanted to be back there, anyway--they are the rhythm.

myth7182l: how was your tour you had with creed last september?
launch_collective_soul: Yeah, it was great. They're good guys, we have a lot in common. It was kinda quick. It was a good tour.

skin_happinessl: was it by choice that Vent was censored for the Tonight Show and the Late Late Show performances?
launch_collective_soul: No. You can't say that on TV, and we thought if we did it and the words were just bleeped out, that'd just sound sh-tty, so we just decided not to sing the word.

kellmar_81l: Do you ever think about touring with Tonic? We saw you together at Starfest in Florida and since you guys are friends it would be a great tour.
launch_collective_soul: Yeah, at some point we'll do some shows together. I think they're going back into the studio...I'm not sure what they're doing right now.

harley747l: whats up collective soul of all of your albums you have made wich one was your favorite to make
launch_collective_soul: Favorite to make...um, this was the favorite to make, because it was done quickly and we didn't have time to start overthinking anything.

slayerswinel: Dean,it is so refreshing to hear a band ,such as yours,still incorporate heavy doses of guitar.What guitarists do you like to listen to today?
launch_collective_soul: I don't know, I've never really been one to listen to guitarists alone. I'm listening to the new Coldplay--it's really great. The OutKast record is exceptional, I love it! The new U2 album is one of my favorite records right now.

frye145l: what advice would you give to a young artist wanting to get into the business?
launch_collective_soul: Be prepared to meet rejection and persevere and endure a lot of ups and downs. But just know if you truly believe, you can get through. Record new material and send it to as many people as you can possibly think of--you never know who's going to hear it and where it might lead you.

gibbledeel: I would like some information on a cover of John Lennons "Jealous Guy" that I just discovered...when was it recorded?
launch_collective_soul: It was recorded in '96 or '97, and it's on the Working Class Hero Lennon tribute album. It's probably one of the best vocal performances Ed has ever done.

blaze9419l: Does it bother you that some people find your video for Why Pt.2 offensive? I think it did the band nothing but good!
launch_collective_soul: No. I don't wanna offend people, but you're always going to offend somebody--especially any time you put anything sexual in there, you'll offend people. It's bizarre that anything about sex offends people more than violence--that kind of freaks me out.

iu_grad1997l: What keeps you motivated and upbeat during a tour?
launch_collective_soul: At some points, nothing. It gets exhausting. You try to find some alone time--you're always surrounded by people and you've gotta find time to be alone.

eronica2001l: if you could do ;one thing speacial for your fans what would it be?
launch_collective_soul: I don't know, I'd have to see what they wanted...any suggestions?

eclypse_kl: Who are a few of your role models?
launch_collective_soul: People in the music business that have been around a while, like Elton, the guys in Aerosmith, people who've been around for years and endured the ups and downs of the business.

austin_6_60l: Why did you decide not to use stringed orchestral instruments on Blender?
launch_collective_soul: It wasn't a conscious thing, we just didn't use them. We didn't really think about it--it just didn't fit the songs.

myth7182l: how do i email the band?
launch_collective_soul: we have a website that's going live hopefully in the next three weeks, hopefully sooner, but there will be contact information there. It'll be www.collectivesoul.com.

Jim1983l: Out of curiousity, the last two times I've seen Jay Leno with Collective Soul on, Ed didn't play guitar, he only sang. Is there a reason or was it just one of those things that happen for no reason events?
launch_collective_soul: He doesn't play guitar on like, half the songs, anyway. It just depends on the song--if we need three guitars. It totally depends on the song.

ive_had_a_perfect_dayl: Ok, I know you guys got your name from The Fountainhead, but who's idea was it to use it? Who was the one who picked out that detail?
launch_collective_soul: Ed did it--he was reading the book at the time we were looking for band names.

crazykate2000l: If you were to go back in time, which time century would you go to (such as the 1400s
launch_collective_soul: Oh gosh, I really don't want to go back in the past--if I could, I'd rather go into the future. There's people in the past that I might wanna meet: Mozart, or Abraham Lincoln, or someone like that, or hang out with Jesus for a little bit.

joolzmacl: Are you planning a tour to Australia any time soon?
launch_collective_soul: No...well, it's tentative, we might be going in the late spring.

segacs2l: dean, when you guys were in montreal in november, Ed said that if you ever release a live album you'll record it in Montreal. well, when's the live album coming out? and when can I go to the show?
launch_collective_soul: No plans, but we'd still do it in Montreal, though.

stud_monkey_86l: How do you decide what set to play during a show??
launch_collective_soul: We just decide, go through...we have a certain set and then we alter it depending on the night or how long we're going to play.

stephenjenningsl: I noticed you have been doing a cover of Pink Floyd's "Mother" in concert. Are you guys big fans of Pink Floyd?
launch_collective_soul: Yeah!

amlong75l: When are you officially kicking off a full US tour (that would involve norhtern California)?
launch_collective_soul: Don't know yet, that's kinda what we're in the process of deciding, especially going to South America next week. We've been scoping out what we're going to do when we get back--we don't know yet.

LyndseyLaunch: What is it like working with your brother?
launch_collective_soul: It depends on the day. It's good, but it's you know, it can be really hard because he is my brother. We have our moments, but for the most part it's a good thing.

corkie259l: what do you do before a show to get yourselves siked up?
launch_collective_soul: Ha ha, whoa--I'm not a very routine-oriented person, so I'm just kinda "whatever," you know? I don't really warm up playing guitar or anything, I just kind of sit back and hang out. We might put on some music that kind of sparks up some stuff, gets the blood flowing a bit.

taychick_18l: if you could solve a problem in the world..what would it be..and what do you think about our new president?
launch_collective_soul: My opinion on the president's yet to be determined. There's a lot of disease and hunger in Third World countries, the disparity between the poor and the super-wealthy. That freaks me out.

x_squirrelll: Do you get labeled as a "christian" band? What are your thoughts on that as well?
launch_collective_soul: Some people call us that...whatever, they've said that from the beginning. We're a rock band, we're not preaching anything, but our feelings and our experiences of our lives go into our music. But we're not preaching any kind of religion.

daybreakbandl: Hey guys, I know this is a long shot, but can my band "daybreak" open for you next time you come to Seattle? It's our goal/lifelong dream and I KNOW we can play to the same crowd. How can I arrange this or at least get you our demo?
launch_collective_soul: You could send a demo to Eric Trainor in New Media at Atlantic Records in New York and he'll forward it to us.

josee123cal: What do you guys look for in a girl?
launch_collective_soul: I don't look at girls.

ajpoguel: Who's the funniest person in the band?
launch_collective_soul: Shane. He's got one of those personalities--he's pretty quick-witted.

gt576l: Will you guys ever cut your hair short, like Metallica did?
launch_collective_soul: Go look on our third record--my hair was as short as it could be!

amlong75l: Do you have any current nicknames for each other?
launch_collective_soul: Shane is "Efly," but that's the only one.

slayerswinel: How tight are you and the band's biggest fan,Elton John?
launch_collective_soul: Pretty tight, we've been friends with him for a few years now. When he's in town, we go to dinner. He comes to our shows, we go to his. He and Ed talk on the phone pretty often.

dfmcurriel: Having 2 sons playing in a band - do your parents like your music?
launch_collective_soul: Love it! Of course, they're the biggest fans.

long_haired_rocker68l: will you guys ever consider touring small bars and clubs again in the near future?
launch_collective_soul: Yeah, those kind of things are a big part of who we are, that's where we came from, and it's always good to go back to your roots.

segacs2l: have you been writing any songs lately dean? any plans for a solo project?
launch_collective_soul: No, right now everybody's pretty much focused on Collective Soul. I know at some point, everybody will branch off and do our own side stuff, but right now, our focus is the band.

blaze9419l: what is the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?
launch_collective_soul: Probably like tattoos of album covers. That stuff is kind of crazy to me.

poudejanil: Is there any other artist you would like to work with?
launch_collective_soul: Yeah, this was the first album that we started collaborating with Elton, and Shawn Mullins--just to open up and let an outsider in to get their perspective, to get their opinion on our music.

catstrakbcl: Is there a chance of ever getting the December version you do live, on a cd sometime.
launch_collective_soul: Napster--ha ha.

red_sea_137l: Whats in your opinion is your best song?
launch_collective_soul: I've not heard the first three albums for so long it's hard to remember, but on this record I like "10 Years Later" and "Boast."

chrisb442l: what do u guys do in your off time
launch_collective_soul: Honestly, I like to travel, go to different places--when I don't have much going on, I like to take a trip somewhere. It's in my blood--I can't stay in one place too long. We don't have much down time, though--we're pretty busy either recording or touring.

slayerswinel: What vintage guitar would you like to own?
launch_collective_soul: I play Les Pauls, but the older Gibsons, I dig those.

amlong75l: What are your current favorite movies?
launch_collective_soul: Just saw Chocolat--I thought that was excellent, I thought it was really good.

gibbledeel: I've had the chance to meet you and I was very impressed with how gracious you and all the band members are with your fans. Thank you! How important is it to you to have a good relationship with your fans?
launch_collective_soul: It's really important. Sometimes we recognize that's our life source--the fans are what makes it possible to do what I love, because of all the fans.

iu_grad1997l: When you were in Morocco, what about it was most fascinating to you?
launch_collective_soul: The whole thing. The desert, though--we camped in the Sahara, and that was an amazing experience.

rockangel95l: do any of you 'family'men have wives or other family members travel w/U?
launch_collective_soul: We are fortunate enough to travel in some sort of luxury, so yeah, wives and girlfriends come out. Not all the time, but they definitely get out there.

jp9105l: any plans for a live concert video?
launch_collective_soul: Nope. No live CDs, no live videos, no greatest hits, no acoustic live records. I'm totally down with bootlegging us--there's the official word.

segacs2l: have you seen Almost Famous? is touring at all like that?
launch_collective_soul: I saw it, and yeah, parts of it, there's definitely true aspects of how the road is, though maybe not to the extent the movie portrayed it. Maybe in a different time and place, it was his own band and personalities.

red_sea_137l: SInce you enjoy traveling where is one of the best places you have been to?
launch_collective_soul: New Zealand is still one of my favorite places to go. I love the Northwest of America and western Canada--Vancouver, I love it up there. Toronto is also one of my favorite cities--I think I might move to Toronto.

gus27brl: Do you believe in extraterrestrial life?? and in inteligent life in earth???
launch_collective_soul: I think I don't know, but potentially there's other lifeforms out there--it'd be pretty arrogant of us to think that we're the only lifeforms that exist.

stephenjenningsl: Dean, i noticed that you tend to use Orange Amplifiers. How did you get turned onto them?
launch_collective_soul: I just tried 'em out, four, five, six years ago...I can't remember. I fell in love with the Les Paul/Orange Amp combination.

mbsoval: Do you get teased at all for the Twix commercial?
launch_collective_soul: Ha ha, yeah--they're just all jealous, though, because I'm the one with all the candy. I got the candy connection.

compu_robinl: what's your favorite author/book?
launch_collective_soul: Probably my favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

harley747l: do you have any tattos dean
launch_collective_soul: No tattoos, no piercings...the only person in rock 'n' roll! A body is a sacred temple (kidding)...

darthbonzol: Do you like where music today is going?
launch_collective_soul: Yes and no. There are certain elements that I don't like, but if it happens, that's why music is what it is. It affects different people in different ways. It's hard for me to judge--there's so many types of music.

jazzyvibe2000l: if you wereen't a musician what would you be?
launch_collective_soul: I think I'm not sure, because music is all I've ever known, it encompasses so much of who I am--if I weren't a musician, I'd be working with them.

susan_holland2000l: hows the broken arm???
launch_collective_soul: It's much better, thank you. It still hurts--it's been raining a lot, so it bothers me.

MomBombFlal: What is your personal preference in type of venue to play...clubs, theatres, or stadiums?
launch_collective_soul: All of them have their points--the clubs are cool because of the intimate vibe, but hearing the fans screaming is a rush. I wouldn't want to do any one of them all the time, I like a nice mix of the three.

skin_happinessl: how much time if any do you or the other guys spend online?
launch_collective_soul: I used to spend a lot of time, but I just moved out of my house so I don't have my cable access--I don't even have a computer at the moment.

roxy_1445l: What's your main goal to accomplish in life? Rather than producing and recording music..?
launch_collective_soul: To raise healthy kids that have something to offer to the world. But I've gotta get started--I don't have any kids.

red_sea_137l: Do you follow your heart, head, or gut?
launch_collective_soul: I read something where it said the soul is made of reason, emotion, and desire--I think it was Socrates. I try to find the balance all the time between logic and emotion, but I lean more towards the emotional side.

dementedkupol: Do you ever have the urge to smash your guitar on stage?
launch_collective_soul: Not really. I've done it in the past because I was pissed off, but I try to control my temper. I used to have a really bad one, and I'm trying to learn to control it a bit.

tenstixl: Every so often I'll be listening to a Collective Soul album and think I find a theme to each of the records. Is there any truth in that or am I just breaking the music down a little too much?
launch_collective_soul: The one record that is the most consistent lyrically is Discipline Breakdown, the third one. The rest, there's something in there, but it's hard for me to say or see it, 'cause I'm on the inside. I don't really see them too much as having a theme, except for the third one.

launch_collective_soul: Thank you for hanging out, and I'll talk to you or see you on the road soon!