I can remember being affected by music as early as 7 years old with The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John, Wings and such. Music really spoke to me, and at such a young age when not much of life makes sense, music did for some reason. My family is large and very musical, so I honestly think that it was something that was bred in me.

How long have you been playing music on a serious level?

I got my first guitar at age 9. I didn't do too much with it until I turned 12. That's when it was serious, and by age 14, I was playing live shows in bands. So, it's been 19 years now.

We all know you're a vocalist, outside of that what other instruments do you play?

I'm primarily a guitarist. That's the one thing I've been consistently. That was my goal getting into music. Well, actually, I wanted to be a bass player but I was given a guitar instead. But over the years I've learned how to play piano, harmonica, bass, drums, and believe it or not.....the jaw harp. I like learning new instruments. Music speaks to me so well that I think of an instrument that I'd like to play, give it a few months, and I've got the basics down enough to apply that instrument to a song. I can also play the stand up bass/cello/violin/viola.

I'd like to travel back in time for a moment.. Before Hallowmas, you were in a band called The Splatterpunks, this band lasted several years. What caused the demise of the band?

I formed The Splatterpunks in 1989. It was my first outing with my own band. Still being in high school, it was hard to find musicians who were as serious as I was. So, the line up had a revolving door on it. I finally decided to put the band down in 1999. I figured that 10 years had been long enough and there really wasn't that much more that I could do with the band. I felt that after all those years I had done everything with it that I had wanted to.

What kind of music was it compared to Hallowmas?

The Splatterpunks was way more "punk" than Hallowmas will ever be. It was extremely fast, loud, messy, and the songs were very short. I was alot younger and most of my writing at that time was coming from anger and aggression. I wasn't much interested whether it was actually good or not. (laughs) But I listen to the stuff now and it holds up. Lyrically, the idea was the same. Horror stuff. It was more campy. There was also alot of political stuff, too. I guess anything that might require you to be angry: death, murder, politics, police, social classes, and toss in some devils and demons. (laughs)

Rumor has is it, there were actual cd's of the Splatterpunks discography pressed. Where could your fans go to buy these rare jewels?

There's not a bulk of them sitting somewhere waiting to be purchased. They were made and sold when the band was together. But, I do get alot of requests from people who, clearly, were fans of the band and missed certain releases when they were out. So, if I can I'll just burn them myself for the person. If the requests keep coming, I was thinking about talking to Coffin Records about "officially" releasing some of the stuff or just putting it out in a limited pressing (again) on Pagan Club Records - mine and Johnny's label.

Speeding up the present you're in the crushing Horror Rock band Hallowmas! You've released several albums, some on Coffin Records and some on your own label, Pagan Club Records. How do you think all of these releases stand up to each other?

To be honest with you, I only consider the Coffin releases "official" releases. So, in my eyes, we've only released two: "October Burning" and "The Road To Hallow's Eve." At first, the releases on PCR was just a local thing at shows, but has recently started to go out all over the place thanks to our website. But that stuff is more for the fans "in the know." (laughs) Our first two releases on PCR were singles, followed by an EP which featured some unreleased songs. Then, we did "Dead And Buried," which was another EP of studio outtakes and rare songs. The last one we just put out was "Death Comes In Threes......" a three band/12 track split effort. I never consider those releases "albums" because none of them have been full-length. Alot of the time we just have stuff laying around from the studio so I put it out for the die-hards.

Do you have a specific favorite out of them all?

My favorite Coffin release is "The Road To Hallow's Eve." The end result of that work is exactly how I wanted it to be and I absolutely love it. My favorite PCR release would probably be "Dead And Buried." It's got versions of songs from ".....Hallow's Eve" on it plus some unreleased stuff and some songs that may be on our next full length album on Coffin. So, in that aspect, it's cool to hear the growth of the songs over time.

How about a specific favorite Hallowmas song?

It's tough to narrow it down to one, you know? It's like having 10 kids and being asked which one is your favorite. I could toss out some of my favorites though: The Hanging Girl, The Burning Times, Skeleton Dance, We Are The Living Dead, Pagan's Night, Wasp Woman, Spawn III, The Pit, Zodiac. (laughs)

In 2003, Hallowmas released "October Burning" through Coffin Records. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this was in the height of the "Horror" popularity that was spreading across the world. Alas, Hallowmas stayed low and didn't jump on the bandwagon, although the band was legitimately around before the shit started. Why did you fly so low under the radar?

Well, I've always done this for me. I do what I would like to hear as a fan of music. I can't pay attention to what this band or that band is doing in the genre. That's their thing and I've recognized from day one that what I'm doing with Hallowmas isn't 100% original, but at least I've made a conscious effort to bring something new to this genre. Which is more than I can say for alot of the other bands that are doing it. I wasn't interested in being part of this movement because it seems to me that they're all doing it for the wrong reasons. Hallowmas isn't interested in belonging to any particular group like Horror Punk, Nu Metal, or anything like that. We just do what we do. You can call us whatever you like, but in each group we're tossed into, there are still aspects of our music that won't fit into that category.

Since we are on the subject, how do you feel when someone lumps you in the category with Misfits rip-offs or wanna-be's?

That's what I'm talking about. This whole "horror punk" movement that exists now is based soley on bands sounding as much like The Misfits as they can without being sued. And that's not what I'm interested in. I consider what I write to be Rock N' Roll. Remember that? (laughs) People have to call it "horror" because of the lyrics, which makes no sense. I mean, what is Britney Spears? Love Rock? Anyone who has any of our releases can listen to them 3 times and tell you that we're not riding the coat tails of a band that was good, but not worth all this hype.

In your humble opinion, what separates Hallowmas from the rest of the Horror Rock bands out nowadays?

Content! You listen to these bands and it's like they wrote the songs in 10 minutes. There's no branching out, nothing different, nothing fresh. And that's what's hurting them. They're afraid to do something different because if they do it just like the Misfits, then they know they will at least have a few fans. And that's a shame because it's going to be really hard for these bands to keep any form of longevity. Also, Hallowmas doesn't fall for any of the "staple" crutches that I keep hearing with these bands. We simply do it our way, and if that's not good for the Horror Punk movement then that's too bad for them.

The latest Hallowmas release is an EP entitled The Road To Hallow's Eve. How strong has the fan reaction and sales been for this album?

I haven't seen any sales figures yet. It's too early, but I've received tons of email from fans that are really into it. It seems like the die-hards are on board with us.

This disc also sees the band taking a more aggressive approach toward the music, almost like a train-wreck! What brings about this change, was it time to move on to heavier or was it just for the hell of it?

"October Burning" got our foot in the door. It let people know that we were around but the music on that album was years old before it was released, so, to the band, it's not such a sudden change. But to the fans the transition may not be so gradual. And I wanted to take the band into a darker area. Someplace I think that we fit a little better. I think we're much too serious and talented to hang around in our present company. (laughs) And you know who that is......

My personal favorite off the album is "When You're Blue". Which is your favorite and why, if you have one?

"The Hanging Girl" is my favorite on that release. It's a totally new sound for Hallowmas. Kinda like The Doors meets Bauhaus and Samhain. It's a good solid rock song and one of my favorite sets of lyrics as well. We're going to do more of that sound on the next full-length release.

Shortly after the release of the EP the band suffered the loss of Drummer Drew Blood, what caused his departure and has a replacement been found? If not, what are you looking for in a drummer? Maybe a few of our readers may fit that bill for you?

DB is a terrific drummer who plays with a "never say die" approach. The problem with that is that his personal ethic is not so "never say die." He worked with us for 6 months and did some great work, but he found himself overwhelmed with responsibility within the band and I think that he just needed to go back to simpler times. We haven't found a replacement yet. We used session drummer, Paxton House, who played on "October Burning," for our next full-length so we didn't experience any downtime there. And, in essence, it's the original line up. What I'm looking for in a drummer is a guy who plays for the music, not just himself. A guy that wants to be a part of something. Part of a team that makes one big sound.

You're also planning to release a solo album entitled "Season Of Death: The Last Halloween". The album will be limited to 50 pressings which we'll get to in a minute, right now I am curious to know what we can expect in this album. You've made mention that it will be nothing like Hallowmas, so tell us!!

It's still my voice. That always sounds like Hallowmas. And it's music coming from the guy that writes everything in Hallowmas. So, it's still going to sound "like" Hallowmas......vaguely. (laughs) It's more primal. More raw. Kind of airy and spacey. It's looser than Hallowmas. There's nothing poppy about it. I dropped alot of the sing along style and went with atmosphere and hard hitting themes. I actually tested it on a few die hard Hallowmas fans and it got rave reviews so, I'm excited to see how it does.

When exactly will this album hit the streets?!

I've been shooting for this month, thus the title. But mastering has taken a little longer than expected and the packaging hasn't been printed yet. So, at the latest, it'll be in the middle of November.

Now the solo is limited to 50 pressings on your own label Pagan Club Records. Why only 50 at the moment, will there be another repressing soon?

I'm doing 50, honestly, because I think that at such an early stage in my career it may be a little egotistical and pretentious to assume that I could sell a larger amount. You have to know your limits. If it turns out to do very well then I'll consider another pressing.

Would you consider releasing it through a label if approached?

Yes, I would. It's much easier to get releases out through a label. The DIY approach is nice, and I think appreciated by fans, but it's never really been too profitable. So, any labels out there interested.....let's talk. (laughs)

Back to your own label, do you have any bands signed or do you stick to releasing your own music?

We just started picking up other bands. Originally, it was just for Hallowmas to get releases out. But then Johnny and I thought that it would be a good idea to help some of the other locals and get their music out to the kids. We're in the process of signing one of my favorite locals called Children Of October. We're looking into another band called Drunk By Six. It's all good stuff. Our aim is to put out CDs that need to be heard. We're also gonna put out Johnny Coffin's studio project, The Autumn Dead as well as his solo release.

Ya know Mr. Boris, I've just realized you eat, live and breathe music!!! Are there any other projects outside of what I've mentioned here you're involved in?

I've done some work with Necrophagia, Nokturne, Children Of October, and I played guitar on the soon to be released Thoracic Disruptor. In the past I've done work with a public access television show out of California and scored Bill Hinzman's 2003 stage adaptation of Night Of The Living Dead.

Let's get to a few fun questions, just for the hell of it!

I like fun.

What is your favorite Horror Movie, I know there are many but what specific one makes you all googly inside?

That's a tough question. There are so many. I love Horror Rises From The Tomb. I Spit On Your Grave, House At The Edge Of The Park. Those do it for me......to name a few.

What musician or band has influenced you the most throughout your life, if any?

Paul McCartney has had a huge influence on me, and Elvis Presley, as well. Bauhaus, Samhain, Screamin' Jay Hawkins. I know it's a strange mix, but that's what makes up Hallowmas. I learned so much from all of them and I apply it when I write.

I've heard rumors that you know how to read - what the fuck! LOL.. Seriously, what's a favorite book you'd suggest to us to read?

I would suggest Dante's Divine comedy, Milton's Paradise Lost, and anything by Nietzsche.

Is Boris your birth-given name?

It is.

Outside of music, what makes Boris tick?! What drives the man, the myth, the legend?!

Art. Whether it be in film, literature, paint, pencil, or a natural creation like a landscape. I love beauty and it appears in so many forms to me. In horror, in life, in nature, in women, in photos. There is even beauty and art in pornography, if you find the right kind. I love to create things. Music, I've made short films, I do photography, and I'm even working on a book.

Do you have a few choice words you'd like to leave your fans with?

No. (laughs) I'm not a role model. There isn't anything that I could have to say to anyone that they didn't already think or know.