Introduce yourself, duties in xTyrantx, background on the band:

My name is John Music, I do vocals along with DaveHayes, guitars are Terry Ulin and Brad Walker, bass is Chris Zomerfeld and we are currently looking for a new drummer. We started the band in 2004 and have gone through a lot of line up changes. We put out a demo in 2004 and seventh dagger quickly picked us up as their first band, and we released “Welcome to Hell” on Seventh Dagger Records in 2005.

Why did you choose the name and what does it mean to you?

Dave came up with the name it suited our band cause we do what we want and don’t give a shit about anyone else.



Who influenced you musically/lyrically?

Some bands we grew up with and were heavily influenced would be Cold As Life, Madball, Biohazard, Pantera, Buried Alive, Earth Crisis to name a few.

What is the writing process like in xTyrantx?
It was hell writing new songs in the past; our old guitar player was very difficult to work with, we've made some recent member changes and kicked him the fuck out and decided to write with fewer people and the new record came out real fast as far as material.

I've heard you are looking for a new drummer. Why Joe is leaving, how goes the search and what is the best way for candidates to get in touch with you if they are interested?

Joe had decided a while back to do border patrol and he was called up and moved to Cali, we are trying people locally cause we are not a full time band. Best way to get in touch if interested is hit us up at www.myspace.com/xtyrantx

You got a new record coming out; what is the title, how many tracks and what is the release date?

New record is called “Prepare For Devastation”; there are 10 songs and not sure of the release date but should be mid summer.

How do you feel it compares to Welcome To Hell and was the producer the same individual behind the boards on your debut.

The new record is way heavier and tighter we put a lot more time and effort into recording. We re-entered Cloud City Studio but worked with a different guy his name is Nick Morris. We are completely happy with the turnout of the record band were excited to get it out for people to hear.

I understand Dave Quiggle will provide the artwork; how did you get hooked up him and are there plans for other Quiggle creations for xTryantx (i.e. t-shirts, etc)?

Danny from Seventh Dagger set that up, we are so into him doing our artwork it looks so hard, I’ve always been a big fan of his bands and artwork, so I'm sure well have him do more for us in the future.

In your bio, the first couple lines speak on how Throwdown, who are probably the most well know modern straight edge band no longer talk about the edge in theirs and I'd personally say that when they do speak about the way of life, it's extremely ambiguous. I remember when Raise Your Fist and The Edge Is Strong featured edge pride and now it's fairly non existent, not only with Throwdown but many other groups where straight edge was a high profile part of their lyrics/interviews. What are feelings on straight edge bands today and the place of the movement in society now?

My understanding is their record label Trustkill doesn’t allow them as well as other bands to promote straight edge; if this is the truth, oh well we don’t give a fuck about Throwdown but if it’s the bands personal choice I say fuck that. SXE is what catapulted that band as their war cry so to soften up their voice to appeal to a more mainstream audience that’s fucked up I guess. Either way we don’t give a fuck about that band. All I know is we’re a straight edge band on a straight edge record label that’s the way it is and will continue to be.

Who produced the video for Bravo One Two on your MySpace? It's extremely well done. Any plans to do more multimedia projects with that individual/group or perhaps someone else?

Mike Varga and his production company recorded our live set at the Earth Crisis reunion show he edited it as well, he did a great job. I’m sure we will do something again in the future just not sure with who or what of.



Speaking of Bravo One Two, I noticed you utilized a sample from Halloween. Is anyone/everyone in the band horror film fans (and if so what are your favorite flicks), or was it just a good fit to open that song with?

Majority of the guys in our band are into horror films especially Halloween and others like Texas Chainsaw Massacre so it was very fitting. We have a song on the new record called Bloody October about Michael Myers and it has samples from the remake of Halloween.

The Detroit scene has birthed numerous well known hardcore & metal bands; how has the scene played a part in the sound and style of xTyrantx?

Well you can definitely hear a bit of Cold As Life influence in our music but Detroit has always been known for ruthless tough real deal bands.

How is everything with xSeventh Daggerx and what made you want to sign with them?

Danny is such a good dude to work with he puts a lot of time and effort into his label and bands, we decided to work with him cause we are a non touring band and he was just starting up and we agreed it would work well for both of us to grow and work to help each other out.



xSeventh Daggerx has gotten a lot of flack from many, edge and non alike for various reason including those who believe it treats straight edge as a commodity, peoples dislike of the Kill Your Local Drug Dealer shirts, and just a general feeling that in it's dedication to promote straight edge, it's making a joking of it. What are your feelings on those who question the label and it's motives?

We are not a positive band and could care less what people think of us, Seventh Dagger or how straight edge is portrayed. If you don’t like the way its portrayed then you make it how you think it should be and should not worry about anyone else. I know my friends and band will always stand up for themselves and their beliefs.

When you are not doing xTyrantx, what do the members of the band do for work? I read somewhere that you have some veterans of the military in the band. Are they still in the service? (If so, a personal thanks for protecting our country.)

Well I’m a chiropractor, Dave does security at a downtown Detroit venue that is literally a warzone haha. Chris runs a DIY venue called Static Age and does tons of shows for touring and local bands. Terry is a marine reservist and has served in Iraq and Matt our old singer was an Army Ranger and served 3 duties in Iraq.



Did you see the new Indiana Jones flick and if so, what did you think?

Yes Chris and I went to an advance screening and half way through the sound went shitty and we sat through almost the entire movie with terrible sound, they stopped it and moved us to a different theater and started it from almost the beginning so we sat through almost the whole movie twice..I liked it, I thought there was a lot of good action and was comparable to the other Indiana Jones. Movies for me are just purely entertainment they are not life altering experiences so as long as there is a bunch of shit getting blown up I’m usually entertained.

Cold As Life or Earthmover? Cold As Life

Any plans to tour in '08 or '09?

We are looking into doing a small West Coast tour fall 08.

Last words/shout outs/etc?

Make sure to keep an eye out for info on our new record “Prepare For Devastation” at www.myspace.com/xtyrantx and check out all the Seventh Dagger bands at www.seventhdagger.com with some of my faves being Rhinoceros and newly signed Birth Of A Hero.