It was basically a bunch of friends in late 1999 who came together to do something different from what was going on in the local scene. The name stems from a story Jamie's brother told and somewhere "3 Inches of Blood" was said and someone thought it'd be a good name.

One of the things that I think makes the band stand out from a lot of today's metal music is the fact that you've got two singers. How or why was the decision made to have two vocalists?

Initially it was just Jamie on vocals for the first year of the band and there were 3 guitar players. I did some guest vocals on a demo they'd just made and they liked it so much I was asked to join the band full time. It wasn't ever planned out to be this way it was just something they liked about the way Jamie's and my vocals meshed on the recording, so we went full force with it.

Before the band became such a massive force in the metal world, what previous bands have the guys been in?

I played bass in Allfather, a death metal band also sang in a death metal in a band called Black Vein Prophecy, played bass in Instill who were a hardcore band. Jamie was in Chronomere and Incrementum. Justin plays in Allfather to this day. Shane was in Ten Miles Wide, Human Resistance Program and The Almighty Punchdrunk. Brian was in Trial, Lahar, Braski, Left With Nothing and Alexei played in Walls of Jericho, Summers End, Catharsis and a bunch of others.

In my review of 'Advance and Vanquish', I referred to the band's sound as "Iron Maiden meets Dio". Do you think that's an accurate description? If not, how would you describe the band's sound?

I leave the descriptions and interpretations to other people, but those are definitely two huge influences on us.

Since signing to Roadrunner Records in 2004 and being on such massive tours (Road Rage/Headbanger's Ball) with some of the biggest names in metal, how has your outlook on music changed, if it has at all?

My outlook changes with each situation. Each tour is different and everytime you walk away having learned some new shit about the "music biz". Most of the time it's fun, but I guess we're fortunate to have toured with some really awesome people. Even in the best of times it's never a 24 hour party.

In 2002, the band recorded 'Battlecry Under a Winter Sun". Is the album still available, or is it out of print?

Currently it's out of print in Canada and available in limited stock still in the UK. Those were the only places it was ever released. Someday we hope to re-release it properly worldwide.

One of the reasons why I personally enjoy your music is that you write your songs differently than a lot of metal bands. Instead of heartache or "being an individual", you write about futuristic battle scenes and epic adventures. What made you decide to write your songs like this?

This band has always written music and lyrics how they want, even before I was in the band. Jamie and I co-write the words and enjoy creating our own stories. Our lyrics won't be political or emo.

Roadrunner Records is by far my favorite metal label. Some of the biggest and best bands call Roadrunner their home. As a matter of fact, many of my favorite bands are on the label (i.e. Killswitch Engage, 3 Inches of Blood, Trivium, and Cradle of Filth). Who are some of your favorite bands on the label, and in general?

I listened to a lot of RR's death metal glory days like Suffocation, Deicide, Sepultura, Annihilator, King Diamond and Mercyful Fate. Some of my current RR signings are Cradle of Filth, The Agony Scene, Nightwish, Opeth, Still Remains

Currently you're on the road in Europe for the European Road Rage Tour with Trivium and Still Remains. How is Europe treating you and how have the shows been?

We're back from Europe now and it was a totally amazing experience for everyone, who'd never toured over there before. We had some killer shows met some equally killer people and got to play in front of thousands of fans at some of the festival shows. We can't wait to go back

And one final question, with the constant touring, has 3 Inches of Blood decided when they're going to step foot into the recording studio again?

Ahh the eternal question. Like you said "the constant touring" makes it hard to create anything solid. What ever time we get off soon we'll be writing. We are eager to start writing again, but only time will tell.

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