We were all long time friends and loved horror movies, punk and such. I think the timing just worked out and the Spectremen just came out of some messing around. We thought it’d be a lot of fun and something new to do on a Sunday afternoon. After Dr Syn joined 4 or so months later, we realized that we might have something.

What were the early years like in the Spectremen camp?

It was about playing as much as possible and improving. The practices were pretty much a comedy routine. For the longest time, no one was really sure what to do and then slowly things started clicking. Originally, we were known as the Misfits and Ramones cover band, we could do them all and usually did, along with our own stuff. Eventually we got tired of being pretty much one dimensional, that’s when we added Mickey. Things really took off from that point.

In all, how long has the band been together?

All in all, 8 years, since the spring of 97. The current line up has been together since this past May.

What do you think keeps the band at the front of the Atlanta pack?

In the beginning, there was no one like us or with our sound really. Dan’s vocals, I think were another thing. He has such a strong voice that it was a switch from the screaming that was going on. Also we’ve had the ability to play with Oi! and Punk bands on Rockabilly/Pyschobilly shows. We’ve also played with Metal and just straight up Rock-N-Roll bands and it still works out well.

For the most part the band is "Ghoul Rock" and I use that term loosely. How well has the band been received throughout the world in your eyes?

We’ve been surprised at how well everything’s gone. This crazy thing just keeps growing. We really aren’t part of the cookie-cutter look and sound that floods the Horrorpunk/Ghoul Rock scene and that’s helped. I’m sure its also hurt us in ways, but everyday we get emails from all over the world.

Where would you say your biggest fan base lies?

We’d probably do well in Europe, if we ever get over there. There is such a huge scene for it over there. We also get a majority of our email from Sweden, Germany, California and New York. Unfortunately, there isn’t a big enough scene or support here in town.

The band has released three full-length cds, three Eps and has appeared on countless comps. How happy are you with the content on these releases?

Each album has songs that we’ll always do live. Every album has grown leaps and bounds from the last and we’re proud of that. There are songs from each one that we’ll keep. Then, there are others that we’d like to forget.

Of your discography, which album would you say best represents the band?

The new EP, Dawn of the Day of the Night of the Living Dead. That’s, what you are going to hear at the shows. Each of our guitarists has been so different and brought their own thing to the table, each album has been very different. But these days, the EP is the way to go.

With the popularity of Horror influenced music these days, the Spectremen stands atop of the majority of Southern Horror bands. How much label interest has there been in the band if any?

There has been some interest. We’ve been super picky and up until now, we’ve been perfectly happy putting out our own cds and letting labels put us their comps. Unless something changes, it looks like the next full-length album will be on Dr. Cyclops Records.

Most recently the band took a ten month hiatus from the music scene; the band has now been put back together. What was it that brought you guys back together?

Everyone was burned out. There was a lot of fighting and everyone needed a break. We didn’t really intend on getting back together, it just sort of fell back into place. Everyone came over to the old practice space, and it was like old times.. We haven’t looked back.

It seems that it wasn't been easy bringing the band back together, you lost a key member in guitarist Mickey. However you replaced him with one of the biggest Atlanta legends ever in Evil Jim. What actually happened with Mickey?

Mickey had some family issues, alot happened to him in a very short period of time and he knew he couldn’t commit himself to the band full time. He also got a full time job that would prevent traveling on the weekends. He didn’t want to be the part-time guy so he decided to step down. He has been widely responsible for the growth in the Spectremen, musically. He’s a dear friend and he will be missed.

How well do you think Evil Jim has filled the vacant spot left by Mickey?

Evil Jim and Mickey are just totally different players. The band has shifted since Jim took over on guitars, and it seemed to be just the right time and thing the band needed. We’ll always miss the energy and backing vocals that Mickey brought in, but Jim is totally able to fill that gap with the his guitar work.

The latest EP is entitled The Dawn Of The Day Of The Night Of The Living Dead, it features four tracks, two of which are re-works from the past. What do you think sets this EP apart from your past releases?

It’s definitely the beginning of the new era for the Spectremen. It further moves us from that “Misfits” stereotype that alot of Horrorpunk bands get bogged down in. It’s a more serious, darker and heavier sound. Actually, it’s the direction we’ve been wanting to go in for the past few years.

Out of the four tracks on the new EP, do you have one that you would call a specific favorite and why?

Everyone has their own favorites for different reasons. “Undead” sticks out since it’s such a change from the original version. It’s also the first song we recorded with Evil Jim. “Kiss of Death” kind of comes out of nowhere and is really the first step in the new sound of the band.

Here in the next few days, the band will also be unleashing a brand new 7", entitled "Tales of The Spectremen, Vol. 1" (on green vinyl). It is supposed to be ready in time for your slot on the precious "SCREAMFEST" in Florida. Can you shed a little light on what we can expect on the 7"?

As of right now, the plan is to release a series of them. Tales of the Spectremen vol. 1 has the new song “The Howling” and a new version of “Netherworld”, from the first album. The Howling is the classic Spectremen rockin’ sound while “Netherworld” has the more dark, brooding style.

What can we as fans expect to get at a Spectremen show, aside from Stench's "Truffle Shuffle" (which fucking owns!)?

Actually, Stench has been keeping his shirt on in recent shows, but you’ll never know just when the Sasquatch will return. These days there is less of the goofing around, no more 3 minutes of feedback in between songs while figuring out what to do next. The show is alot tighter, more of a planned set list that we actually stick to. The covers we do are a lot more diverse now. We go on, rock and get off.

Is there a certain song in the band's arsenal, that is always demanded at a live show. If so what is it?

“Netherworld” has always been a favorite. “Elvistein” and “BlackAcid” are two others that we get a lot of request’s for. We kind of forgot about “Demon Train” until recently, which was surprisingly one of the most popular songs.

The band very rarely goes on national tours, why is this?

It’s never been in the cards, so to speak. Mickey’s leg was a big factor for a while. He physically couldn’t do it. We’d love to do a tour, but we still have jobs that we can’t take months off at a time for the tour. We plan on doing a lot more touring in 2006.

If and when the big tours begin to happen, what kind of a touring package would you like to be on?

That’s a good question. I’d say if the Misfits ever got back together. We’d also love to go on tour with the Damned or the Phantom Chords, I dunno. Evil Jim says Deep Purple. We’d like to be a on good, mixed bill. Us and some good Pyschobilly.. We’ll play with just about anyone. We’re actually planning on doing more conventions from now on instead of the one off shows.

In the time the band has been around, what would you say has been the biggest and lowest points?

Screamfest has to be up there as a high point. The lowest, hmmm, probably playing a Halloween show a few years back at the Riviera. It was a cluster from the get go. I think we finally went on around 3 am.

When the Spectremen is not kicking a crowd’s ass or eating brains, what can we find you doing?

Working, mostly. We are trying to get a movie filmed. We just need to get working on it.

At the end of the day, when the Spectremen have called it quits. What do you hope to be most remembered for?

Hopefully just some kick ass music and a fun time. We try not to take ourselves all that seriously. We just hope people can see the humor and get into what we are doing.

Can you leave the fans with any last words of wisdom in which to their live life by?

ALLLRIGHT YOU MOTHERFUCKERS! (one for the old days)

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