Dennis: Hey, Paul, it's great to get a chance to talk with you.  Happy Belated Birthday.
Paul: Hey thanks man.  Yeah I just woke up about 20 minutes ago haha.
Dennis: Yep, typical rock star fashion there haha.  So how old are you now?
Paul: Yeah, I turned 23.

Dennis: Well, I was told we had limited time so I'll jump right in here.  We actually named Potters field as the album of the month on our site.  We were lucky enough to have gotten a prerelease about a month ago and wow I was impressed!  How has the reaction and sales been the first two weeks out?
Paul:  The first week we did about 30,000 and then the second week was about 14,000.  So 44,000 in just 2 weeks which is pretty great for us.  The reaction has been really great.  The albums only been out two weeks and every night at shows people are screaming and singing the words.  So, it's getting bigger and better.

Dennis: Man I hate to even ask this as only my second question but I might as well hit it head on...There is a rumor floating around that apparently some Christian bookstores have removed the cds from their shelves.  The reason is apparently a member used the word ass.  Have you heard anything about this?
Paul: Yeah we have heard and it's true.  In our thank yous in our liner notes Eric put to the road crew 'you kick a**.'  It wasn't meant derogatory or offensive but that is the way it was taken.  Some people said that isn't Godly enough for their stores.  It's a bummer but you know.  

Dennis: The cd deals with a lot of relationship type issues and even a track “Photograph” dealing with suicide.  Could you give us the background of that song and what message do you want to convey to those that are in the mode of depression?
Paul: Yeah, really the song is about a friend of my sisters who after a short relationship wanted a girl to go back out with him.  To make a long story short, she repeatedly told him no because the relationship wasn't what she wanted.  He went and picked her up from work one day and asked one more time.  She told him no so he pulled out a gun and shot himself right in front of her.  Where he killed himself was in his neighborhood street right in front of his own brother while he was playing basketball.  So, for me it was a very personal song but at the same time there are so many songs that make you feel sorry for those that commit suicide saying oh we feel so bad and how could we have not known. For us it is like how weak is that.  I mean you can end it so easy without any care for those you leave behind.  Before I play this song every night I always remind people no matter how bad people feel imagine how bad people feel that you leave behind.  I mean they have to think of that person leaving over something so small and trivial.  For those that listen to that song, if it doesn't help you not think about suicide, know that you shouldn't give up on yourself and that's part of life.  Even those that have a million dollars or a million friends have bad days.  It is about no being a coward and getting through it and not giving up. 

Dennis: Man that is so crazy.  It goes well into the next question.   On your site you talk about how much music is out now spreading hate.  What are your thoughts on the influence of that type of music to teens?
Paul: I think people in general are very influenced by music and those they see on TV. I think that you know, everybody has to have their own take on life.  But people like Eminem and those guys talking about hate and kill this.  You know there might be a time where a song like that might make you feel better. But every track on your album shouldn't be like that you know what I mean.  We aren't here to change the world.  We are musicians and we work really hard and are away from our families every day.  We just try to be positive and remind people that today might be bad but tomorrow is another day you can control.  I'm not gonna put anybody down for what they write but I dont agree with a lot of songs that are out.  I mean if it was your kid or nephew that was listening to those songs and developing a different view on life because of it.  Music affects that. 

Dennis: Yeah I agree totally.  Knowing your thoughts on negativity and wanting to be a positive influence what message do you want to convey with Potter's Field?
Paul: More than anything we want people to enjoy the music and let the message sink in.  I think that if it helps them on a spiritual level and they can relate to the new songs that helps them on that level then that's awesome.  But if they also listen and relate on a level that isn't spiritual is still cool.  Just to have people be able to enjoy the album and relate.  I want people to put the album in and make them feel good on a bad day.  From our first album , we had a lot of things we wanted to change.  We wanted obviously more guitar heavy and add more harmony and screams you know.  We wanted to grow and be more mature with a more developed record and I think we have done that.  We hope people enjoy the album like we do.
Dennis: Yeah the focus and maturity is so obvious throughout the album.  We mentioned all those things in our review as well.
Paul: Thanks man very much.  We really wanted to capture that.  We really take pride in our live show and want the crowd to be into it.  WE wanted to take that feeling and put it in our record.

Dennis:  I have had several fans want me to ask you this.  After being featured on Evanescence's album that has now sold almost 13 million copies, how has this helped speed up the success of 12 Stones? And are their any other collaborations with them in the future?
Paul:  Uh, no, not at this point.  The first time we did that song it was very spontaneous and a last minute type thing.  They are cool kids but very busy.  It obviously helped being on about 14 million records around the world.  If people are interested they then look it up and check us out.  This is my heart and soul and I had a great time doing that but this is where I rest every night.  I want to take time and help my project for now. I would love to collaborate but you know for now this is my baby haha.

Dennis: Haha.  You guys are out on the road now with Tantric right?
Paul: Yeah tonight is our third show with them.
Dennis: How's that going on what are plans after this tour?
Paul: Yeah, we have a few more weeks of this left.  Tomorrow we will be out at Disney World, Magic Kingdom and stuff like that.  Doing that and staying busy and hoping to his some big tours in the fall.  We have been doing a lot with Puddle of Mud, Three Days Grace, Three Doors Down and Nickleback.  Staying busy will be the key.  We have a lot of options for the fall but we are still working on it.

Dennis:  I don’t know if you are aware but we are a Christian site and we review all types of music from Mushroomhead to 12 Stones to Pillar and also interview that spectrum as well.  We respect your guys stance and placed your music review in both the secular and Christian areas of the site due to a wide acceptance in both genres.  
Paul: That's cool man.
Dennis:  As you know most people know you are a professing Christian and you guys tour with with both secular and Christian bands.  But it seems like every day someone starts a thread on your own forum asking if you guys are a Christian or secular band.  I really don't like the whole labeling thing and I think I already know what your answer will be.  What would you like people to say when you hear them label you as one or the other?
Paul: Yeah haha. I think people should say, "Why does it matter!"  For us Christian band, secular band, we just try to be positive.  Not everyone in this band is a Christian.  It's hard to put us in a Christian band category.  I mean I grew up Southern Baptist and a couple of the guys grew up in very religious homes so a lot of the lyrics and undertones are obviously spiritual oriented and very Christian based.  I mean that's the way I write and question things.  That's the way I word things and that's the way it comes across.  But at the same time Jesus hung out with prostitutes, liars and thieves.
Dennis: Yep, he wasn't hanging out with the religious!
Paul: Yeah you know what I mean!  I mean I'm not knocking anyone in church.  I grew up my whole life in church and I think its very important for people.  Especially right now with our country that we stay focused in our beliefs and the faith developed.  At the same time, we aren't here to change the world.  That's something that if people feel led to do then that's what people need to do.  But as for us we are musicians.  I am a 23 yr old kid in a rock band.  I dont have all the answers and dont like being in the limelight for people that are questioning religion.  I dont feel I am in a position to show them any better.  I am still growing and learning just like they are.  If our music helps you spiritually then that is amazing but if it helps you from a secular label then that is awesome to.  It's about the music for us and it's about where we are and how we grow.  If people put too much on where we are spiritually then it takes away from where we are musically and as people.  We are  young and learning and trying but we are not spotlight Christians.  I wish some people would cut us some slack you know.  We aren't prophets.  We aren't here to stop the antichrist from coming haha.  It's like a fingerprint and not all of us are alike.  We cant please everyone.  

Dennis: Well Paul, thanks so much for the time and hopefully we will run into you one of these days.  So I gotta ask this as a last question.  Every band out there seems to be bashing Bush.  Who are you guys supporting, Bush or Kerry?
Paul: Im thinking right now you know its funny how everyone is jumping on this anti-Bush band wagon.  I think everyone is just trying to be cool.  You know I'm glad I live in a country were I can wake up every day and play rock music haha.  You know if everyone wants to be on that band wagon...oh well.  But is someone breaks into my house like they did the US then I'd do the same thing.  And I respect Bush for the way he stand for himself.  I dont think either candidate is absolutely amazing but I am definitely a Bush guy!
Dennis: Man that's awesome haha.  He was just in our town on Monday.
Paul:  I think its so funny everyone is doing this Rock Against Bush, and I'm like yeah whatever.  You know I would like to see some of these people try to be President.  There is a reason we are on tour buses and not in the White House hahaah.
Dennis: hahah.  Well man its been a pleasure! Thanks for being so candid with us and look forward to getting this on the site.
Paul: Yeah man thanks a lot.  Its been cool!