R: What do you feel sets you apart from other bands?
Jake Farran: I think we have a lot more energy and intensity than other bands. When we play, people connect with that and it brings out something inside of them that's very evil.
BA: But then again it can also bring out something that's very positive. It's not like we're an evil band. It may seem like that just because we're loud and screamy or whatever, but we really are not.

R: What are the songs written about?
JF: Mainly about like experiences. A lot of the songs are written, like, for me, like I'm speaking to myself. It's not like I'm speaking directly to myself, but take my events and try to turn them into something positive that I can learn from.
BA: I think, musically, we're sort of in a different league than most metal bands that are out there or nu metal bands. Even though we're going to be labeled a nu metal band - just because nu metal is what's popular right now and if you're heavy at all you're going to be nu metal - we're not nu metal. And anybody who comes and actually listens to us will understand that. Our music is far more complex and has got far more meaning and far more substance than something you hear on the radio.

R: Adema.
BA: Oh God (laughs).
JF: We get more comparisons to like Pantera than, say, Limp Bizkit or Coal Chamber.

R: What have you found to be the most frustrating aspect of the music business?
BA: In my opinion, the most frustrating aspect of the music business is that the bands that really deserve success and credit and respect do not get it, because they're not what sells. There are a lot of marvelous underground bands that could just be some of the best bands ever if they just got a push from a label. There's a lot of bands even around Grand Rapids, like Duress - they're one of my favorite bands ever.
JF: I think it's just frustrating that you dedicate your life to something for so long and for some bands it just never happens, you don't see any rewards. It's just frustrating to not be able to go anywhere. Then there are bands like Adema or these other bands that have their two-and-a-half-minute songs that are going to sell because that's what's popular. It's more of an image thing than musical substance.
BA: I'm solely dedicated to this band. This is like my little business, this band, and I want to make this little business successful but I'm going to be pissed off if we don't get signed eventually. We work so hard for this band. We're going to bust our ass to try to get somewhere.

R: If being in a band is so hard and such a pain in the ass, why do you guys do it?
BA: Because stepping up on stage with the lights going, you've got good sound, there's a crowd out there and the crowd's into your music - there's no better feeling than being on stage and seeing a big-ass pit going. That's the most gratifying thing. That's what it's all about for me.

R: What's the current game plan for increasing the popularity of the band?
BA: Play as many shows in town as possible, promote our asses off everywhere we possibly can, get our CD out as soon as possible. Our CD will actually be done in late May but it's not going to be released until the end of the year. Establish a regional market, write new material, try to practice as much as we can.

R: What keeps you guys motivated?
JF: I guess what keeps us motivated is getting to our goal, which is to get signed and become a real band. My goal in life is to have a CD out nationwide where everybody can buy it and enjoy it, and then go out on tour and play it for them.
BA: I agree with that. And I think the only way we're going to be able to achieve that is through a lot of hard work. A lot of hard work. But you've got to do it in order to get somewhere.
JF: We're all well aware of what it takes.
BA: We can't just go to practice maybe once or twice a week and play a couple of shows and expect everything to just come to you. You've got to make it happen. Up practices, play as many shows and promote like a mother fucker.

Catch Dissonant April 5 at Skelletones in Grand Rapids.