Online interview with Stitch from Mushroomhead
May 8, 2004

When asked a few months ago to review Mushroomhead's latest release, Xiii, I did so with some very preconceived notions.  I pre-judged them thinking that because they looked crazy and eerie, that their lyrical content would be very dark and negative.  What I found was just the opposite.  I found very positive lyrics that even I as a Christian could see myself in.  Please, don't take offense if you are a Christian reading this and thinking I am recommending Mushroomhead to anyone.  I just do reviews (click here for the review) and what you choose to listen to is between you and God. I don't agree with everything I have read from or about the band but have noticed on the last album the trend to remain positive.  But after I posted the review I was sent an email from the band and my first thought was ok this is April 2nd so someone is getting a late gag in on me.  I actually wrote back to this person and said basically just that too them.  I was then sent another emailing with the person laughing saying they understand why I was hesitant to believe.  Well, after then dealing with their public relations director at Universal Records the "gag" quickly became reality.  Stitch then agreed to do an interview with us.  My point of doing this interview is to show us not to be quick to judge by appearance.  It was something I didn't really know I still did but was embarrassed to admit.

*The interview was sent with the all caps on and their was no way I was retyping the whole interview.  Please, don't think we changed anything to make more and less emphasis.  Stitch did this to differentiate in the email his writing from mine.

Dennis: I know this is a basic question to many but Mushroomhead has been out for quite a few years, more than 10 years and wearing masks BEFORE Slipknot, and people still ask about the masks and the name.  Where and how did it evolve into wearing them and where did the name come from? 
Stitch: THE BAND FORMED IN EARLY 1993, IT ORIGINALLY WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE A SIDE PROJECT BUT MUSHROOMHEAD CAUGHT ON VERY QUICKLY IN THE CLEVELAND SCENE AND IT SOON BECAME LARGER THAN OUR MAIN BANDS. THE MASKS CAME IN TO PLAY TO HIDE THE IDENTITIES OF WHO WAS IN THE BAND, CAUSE EVERYONE HAD ANOTHER BAND THAT WAS KNOWN IN THE SCENE FROM ALL DIFFERENT STYLES AND MUSHROOMHEAD DIDN'T WANT TO BE LABELED AS BEING SOMETHING IT WASN'T BY PEOPLE SEEING WHO WAS IN THE BAND. SO MASKS AND THEATRICS WERE USED TO ADD MYSTERY AND ENTERTAINMENT. THE MASKS HAVE BEEN THERE FROM THE START AND ITS ALWAYS EVOLVING.

Dennis: You guys are currently on tour with Soil, Dope and Twisted Method.  How is that going and what has been the highlight of the tour as of yet? And what do you guys do to get rid of the boredom while traveling?
Stitch: TWISTED METHOD LEFT THE TOUR A FEW WEEKS AGO,  TO WORK ON A VIDEO AND RECORD NEW SONGS. A BAND CALLED "INDEX CASE" HAS TAKEN THEIR SPOT. THE TOUR IS GOING GREAT THE SHOWS ARE SOLID, HAD A FEW SOLD OUT SHOWS, FANS ARE GREAT AND EXCITED. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF GOOD MOMENTS JUST MESSING AROUND WITH THE GUYS IN DOPE, WERE ALWAYS PRANKING EACH OTHER AND JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE BEST OUT OF HAVING NO REAL SOURCE OF ENTERTAINMENT. SOME OF US PLAY "EA SPORTS FIGHT NIGHT" ON PS2 TO PASS TIME AS WELL.
Dennis: Seems like a tour bus is not complete without a PS2.  I think that comes standard now and not even as an option.

Dennis: You guys are quick to let everyone know that there are no offensive words or topics on your latest cd.  Looking at that aspect of your music, what are your thoughts of the influence in music especially when other bands like you guys are full of hate, violence and often very offensive subject matter? 
Stitch: IT'S SO EASY TO SWEAR, REBEL AND TALK ABOUT VIOLENCE WHICH A LOT OF BANDS DO BUT WE FEEL IF YOU ACTUALLY HAVE SOMETHING INTELLIGENT TO SAY TO STEER SOMEONE IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION THAT'S A WAY BETTER ACCOMPLISHMENT, PLUS YOU CAN REACH A BROADER AUDIENCE. OUR SINGERS DON'T JUST SPELL OUT WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY, INSTEAD THEY LEAVE IT UP TO THE LISTENER TO FIGURE OUT THE CONTENT FOR THEMSELVES AND HOPEFULLY RELATE IN SOMEWAY POSITIVE.
Dennis:  Well, I want to commend you guys for being that bold by NOT using offensive language.  I think it speaks a lot about your character.

Dennis: Your latest cd Xiii is incredible.  How would you describe the intensity in the lyrics and musical style for someone that may not be familiar with Mushroomhead? 
Stitch: ITS KINDA ALL OVER THE PLACE AS FAR AS STYLE GOES, THERE'S A LOT OF HEAVY RIFFS BUT ALSO MELLOW MOODY KEYBOARDS AND AMBIANCE. ALL OF US LISTEN TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT MUSIC SO THAT'S WHERE THE UNIQUE SOUND COMES FROM, THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE RECORD FOR EVERYONE I FEEL, I SEE PEOPLE THAT AGE FROM 12 TO 50 YEARS OLD AT OUR SHOWS SO ITS OBVIOUSLY REACHING PEOPLE.

Dennis: Looking deep into your lyrics, I and other friends of mine have noticed that the lyrics cause the listener to almost search for faith and hope.  I found a lot of Christian meaning with in the lyrics of Xiii, which has caused a stir with Mushroomhead fans and also some other close minded people that have visited my site.  How did this occur and have we hit on something about the bands religious background possibly?  Where you surprised when you read that interpretation in my review?
Stitch: WELL I KNOW THAT THE LYRICAL CONTENT ISN'T MEANT TO BE RELIGIOUS, BUT I CAN SEE WHERE YOU GET THAT, WE DEFINITELY WANT PEOPLE TO FIND HOPE IN WHATEVER PROBLEMS THEY MIGHT HAVE AND THAT'S A BIG THING JMANN AND JEFFREY DO WRITE ABOUT, IS THINKING FOR YOURSELF AND TO NOT BE CLOSE MINDED ABOUT ANYTHING. YES I WAS SURPRISED AT THE RELIGIOUS CONNECTION YOU MADE, THAT'S A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF "FINDING YOUR OWN PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH OUR MUSIC" AND THAT'S REALLY GREAT THAT YOU AS WELL AS OTHERS GET THAT FROM OUR MUSIC, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Dennis: Speaking of Christianity, have any of you guys seen the Passion?  I saw the movie and thought it was great, but others have seen it and looked at it as just a story or fictional movie.  My opinion was that it was from Mel Gibson's perspective but it was closely tied to my faith and Biblical beliefs.  What are your thoughts about the movie? 
Stitch: I HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO SEE IT YET, ID LIKE TO THOUGH. ITS HARD TO GET OUT TO A MOVIE THEATRE WHILE ON TOUR STUCK AT A CLUB. A LOT OF PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE SAID THEY LIKED IT I KNOW A FEW GUYS IN THIS CAMP HAVE SEEN IT.

Dennis: One of the things that is unique about you Mushroomhead is that you have 8 members.  How is that musically challenging to orchestrate a good crisp hard core sound with the chaos that can be involved? 
Stitch: WELL WE RARELY ALL WRITE TOGETHER IT ALL STARTS WITH A KEYBOARD PART, OR A GUITAR RIFF, THEN WE COLLECTIVELY ARRANGE AND ADD OUR PARTS 8 PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO JAM A SONG CAN GET CLUTTERED, SO WE DO IT IN SESSIONS, BUT IN THE END EVERYONE GETS WHAT THEY WANT.

Dennis: What bands are you guys currently listening to on the bus and what can we expect to be listening to in the near future? 
Stitch: WE TEND TO FIGHT SOMETIMES ON THE MUSIC SELECTION, "DOWN" AND "PANTERA" ARE PLAYED REGULARLY, SOMETIMES WE PUT ON THE "O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU" SOUNDTRACK. "BJORK" AND "LAMB"ALSO GET THROWN IN THE ROTATION AS WELL.
Dennis: Sounds like my wife and I going on a trip, I put in Demon Hunter and she puts in Point of Grace haha.  Did I just see you said Bjork..hhmm..haha.

Dennis: Now for some of us computer web geeks haha.  You guys have a freaking awesome web design.  Who made that and do you guys have a lot of input in that process? 
Stitch: THE WEBSITE IS KEPT UP BY A FRIEND OF OURS BACK HOME, SHE'S REALLY GOOD WITH ANIMATIONS AND FLASH, AND YES WE DO HAVE SOME INPUT BUT WE TRUST HER JUDGMENT ON IT SO WE JUST LET HER RUN WITH IT.

Dennis: Here is the final chance to mention anything I missed or you wished I would have asked.  Tell us anything...well not anything..haha
Stitch: YOU PRETTY MUCH TOUCHED ON A LOT OF TOPICS, DEFINITELY SOME DIFFERENT ?'S WHICH IS NICE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE INTEREST YOU SHOWED US AND NOT JUST LABELING US AS SOME BAD EVIL BAND WHICH THE AVERAGE PERSON MIGHT DO JUST BY LOOKING AT US. WE WANT OUR FANS TO KNOW TOO THAT WE APPRECIATE ALL THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND FOR CONTINUING TO COME TO THE SHOWS AND HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH US. THAT'S WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT IN THE END, JUST HAVING A GOOD TIME.
Dennis: Well, thank you very much for taking personal time while you are on tour to do this interview with us.  We wish you the best and be safe traveling out there!

One follow-up question has been submitted on 5-9-04.