With three major label releases under their belts, the York town heroes have stuck to their roots. After hearing a pre-Live recording (featuring the original line up going by the name Public Affection) it's easy to understand how Live got to where they are today. Their songwriting styles have been reminiscent of R.E.M. from day one and, yet, there is no question that it's Live. As the years went by, Live's style basically stayed the same, but their sound became more identifiable. Now, with so many other bands creeping out of the woodwork, it's easy to see Live as an influence to many new bands and perhaps to many that are yet to come. We had a chance to talk to bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and he clued us in on the band's secret to success, their influences, and their newest U.S. tour.

How's the touring been going and how has the response been to the new material?

PD: Things have been really positive. We started touring when the record came out, which was uh...(pause and laugh) I don't even know when-- February maybe, I don't know. We just did a short theater run in the states. Beyond that we've been out of the country. We've been doing better than we ever have outside the U.S. No one was familiar with the new material early on, (and) that was difficult, but we were excited to play it.

Which do you like better, small clubs or arena shows?

PD: It's great to be able to do everything. We go from doing clubs that seat a couple hundred (people) to arena shows in one touring cycle. I don't know which I like better, I just like the change. There's a chance to reinvent the show.

What is the meaning behind Secret Samadhi?

PD: Samadhi is an open-ended word. One of the ways to interpret it is as a spiritual place of peace or the path you take to that inner awareness. The last record changed our lives. I think we discovered that the four of us had really different lives, but we all shared a common samadhi (or peace), which was the music and the band.

The bass lines are a lot less funkier than on your other records, why the change?

PD: It wasn't premeditated. As a player, I finally figured out that sometimes less is more. On this record I felt something inside me that didn't need to take up as much space. Sometimes I thought I was saying more without playing in a certain part. I think of it as a growth.

How tough was it writing for the new record after a huge success like Throwing Copper?

PD: Surprisingly, not that difficult. We got through all the pressure crap between the first and second album. When Mental Jewelry came out it did marginally well-- we did a couple hundred thousand copies. We were still young--we were like, 19-- and, to us, it was this amazing feat. We thought we were on top of the world. We got done touring and realized we had to write a record. It's the old cliche: You've got your whole life to write your first record, but your second has to be out in a year. We stressed out and thought we should just give up, just walk away. Then we realized we put the pressure on ourselves, it wasn't the label or management. Since then, we have constantly been writing and we haven't stopped.

What is "Lakini's Juice?"

PD: Good question. I don't know, I never ask. I probably don't want to know, that's Ed's (Kowalczyk) world.

Where does the eastern religion flavor come from in your songs?

PD: Again, lyrically, that's Ed. He always questions spirituality. I think he's stumbled into something now that he thinks is pretty calming. It's important to him and I can say that the three of us agree. Ed has been on a greater searching vibe for his whole life, but we all share the same feelings.

Critics have been tough on the band, why do you think that is?

PD: They have always been rough. Early on, we were an MTV- generated band. When our first video came out, we were just a bunch of punk kids that nobody knew with this song about whatever. We were so damn serious and, critically, it was a backlash. They simply didn't appreciate it. The second record came out and, critically, it didn't do well but, obviously, it connected to a lot of people. This record, I've seen a lot of mixed bag reviews. Its like they don't want to be committal, a lot of middle-of-the road shit. To me, it's kind of bogus-- either you like us a lot or you don't. On the last record, we realized that a review is a review-- it's one person's opinion.

Do you have a favorite Live song?

PD: I like 'Ghost' a lot. That's on the new record... 'Ghost' and 'Turn My Head'.

"Turn My Head" is a great video.

PD: Yeah, that was kind of a dilemma, We knew that it couldn't interfere with the song. Originally, it was only eight edits. It was really peacefully tranquil. Either you thought it was really boring or really beautiful. We played it for MTV, they said,'We'll run it. We don't know what it will do, but we'll play it.' We all sat down as a team and re-edited it, trying not to compromise what we did. We are really pleased with what we did. I think it compliments the song.

Does the whole band get involved in the songwriting?

PD: Yeah, there is no one person we rely on.

I have a recording from when you guys were Public Affection. Why did you change the name and how did you come up with Live?

PD: I remember we were doing the first record and we were spending a lot of time coming up with a name for it. Somebody brought up that we didn't spend this much time on the band name. I mean, that name will stick with us forever. Nobody knew who the hell we were, so we figured that would be the best time to change it. Where Live came from I really don't know. There was a handful of names and it came down to pulling one out of a hat. When we first started, we would change our name, like, every week, but Live is the one that stuck.

Live has always mentioned R.E.M. and U2. Are they big influences of the band?

PD: Early on, they were elemental. I think we took things from both bands. Musically , there's the R.E.M. connection. When we were young, we looked at U2--the way that they were a band and how they handled themselves. Anymore, it's bizarre... they're our peers now, which sounds silly to me. It's difficult to get over. You're somewhere with Michael Stipe and you've got to hit yourself in the back of the head and remind yourself he's just human. I don't know, it's just kind of a weird mind trick. (R.E.M. and U2) have been real supportive musically, I couldn't ask for a better situation with your heroes.

How do you feel about where each band is headed?

PD: I shouldn't comment on U2. (laughs) They're great guys, did I mention that? (laughs) They're doing what they need to do and I respect that. They're throwing their finger into the air saying,'This is the record we made and were doing it.' R.E.M.-- I think the last record, New Adventures in Hi-Fi, to me, was one of the best records in a decade. It was an amazing, beautiful record.

Looking back, is there anything you wish that you would have done differently?

PD: Not really. There are little things, but, overall, there is nothing that I'd change.

Do you ever go back to York, PA and how has it changed for you given your current status?

PD: It's still home--actually, I'm home right now. I haven't been home in about six months, but the town and the people of York help keep you humble and keep your feet on the ground. I could go away for a year and come back and things are pretty much how I left them. It's home.

A lot of bands go through personal changes. What's been the secret for Live?

PD: I really don't know. Over the years we have come to know each other. We know when someone needs to get kicked in the butt, when someone needs help, or left alone. They are my best friends in the world and we just happen to be in a band together.

Where do you see Live in 10 years?

PD: Hopefully doing the same thing we're doing now, just putting records out and deciding if we want to go on tour and if we want to play an arena or a club--just as long as we're able to live and make records.