http://www.soundmonitor.com

Nathan Peauril: Hi Steve, thanks for taking your time to answer some questions. First of all congratulations on your recently released album Thirty pieces of Silver. What's been the reaction to it so far?

Steve Janiak: The reaction has been positive. We've gotten some good feedback and people seem to enjoy the production and songwriting. It's rewarding when you get new listeners, people who aren't prejudiced towards the band. Even more so when they have kind things to say.

NP: On your website there is a hefty list of bands trying to hint at what DTP sounds like. For those people who haven't yet discovered your band how would you describe your sound?

SJ: "A couple scoops of stoner with some doom and a groove on top," is how Rob once described it. We're not specifically stoner rock, doom, or metal, but we draw influences equally from three. I like to call it "Black Collar Chugga Chugga." I can tell you we're NOT rap or country.

NP: I love the guitar sound you've got on the album, is that something you've had all along or something that came out through making the album?

SJ: We just turned the Marshalls up for the album, and that's how they came out. Since we've recorded it I've been playing through a '68 Orange-Matamp, so now the live sound is a little thicker and juicier. You can't go wrong with tube amps cranked to 11.

NP: DTP hails from Indianapolis, I haven't heard of any other bands from the area. What's the local band scene like?

SJ: Indianapolis is like Chicago's little redneck brother according to some people. Basically, Indianapolis suffers because of its proximity to Chicago, Louisville, and Detroit, and most big concerts will bypass Indy for those cities. In some respects, that's very bad, but more recently, the size of the city and the isolation have caused the music scene to become very strong. It's easy to be ignored as a music scene by the 'business', but because it's a major city with a small town vibe, everyone knows everyone, so when things are going well everyone's involved.

Also, Indianapolis is a test market for major American products. They've concluded that we're the average of averages and test out new snack foods and soft drink variations in our community to see how well they'd do across the entire country. Maybe that's rubbing off on the music scene?

There are a few websites and weekly magazines that propel the music community into the eye of the populace. There are some great heavy bands here in Indiana though, Mantis, The Gates of Slumber, Hellwinkle, Seven Degrees from Center, You Will Die, and Eyes of Jade immediately come to mind, all heavy yet very distinct, stylistically speaking. There are more, but I don't have the list in front of me.

NP: It's always interesting to see how every band differs in their writing process. How do you guys go about writing your songs?

SJ: Normally, one of us will come up with a riff or two, and then we'll introduce it at practice. From there we'll jam on it until we come up with more parts and an arrangement, then I'll start making up melodies over the top. Then we'll play it live and after so many months of making up lyrics on stage, then I'll write them down on paper.

NP: From where do DTP find their influences?

SJ: We grew up listening to hard rock and metal, mainly. We all have varied tastes when it comes to music and we're all big fans of music in general. I'm sure each of us has something that might surprise you in our CD collections.

NP: Australia is a great place to live but unfortunately it's so remote we tend to never see a lot of overseas bands. What's a typical Devil to Pay gig like? Any plans to release the CD overseas or maybe a tour?

SJ: A typical gig would be us, onstage, being ourselves. It's loud and there's normally some devil horns thrown. At this point, we're still working on finding some interested parties who may help with overseas distribution, and hopefully one day get to play Australia. I'd love to visit over there.

NP: Thirty Pieces of Silver opens with an instrumental track, what was the decision behind that and do you ever open your shows with it.

SJ: We've opened the show with it many times. "Mouthful of Spite" was one of the first 4 or 5 songs we had written as a band, and because it made a statement without making a statement, it just worked out that way. Initially we had it towards the back of the album. Then we changed everything around at the last minute. It seems to fit well at the top.

NP: I notice you've recently played with the latest Australian buzz band Jet. How was that show??

SJ: The Jet show was interesting. They're a great rock and roll band. Our style is much heavier, but the crowd ate it up. I was concerned we'd be TOO heavy, but we heard many good things after that show. I thought Jet would be wilder on stage. Everyone here keeps talking about how their single is an Iggy Pop song, but it never bothered me.

NP: What's the craziest thing to happen to you on stage?

SJ: During the battle of the bands last year, they were filming our set, and the camera guy had come too close to Rob and actually stepped on his cord and pulled it out of the guitar. Then I backed up and almost tripped over him. That's not very crazy, I guess. My old bands have some stories but they're not for print!

NP: Finally what plans does Devil to Pay have for the future?

SJ: Right now we're focusing on getting some press, and we'll go for some radio support in the coming months, followed by as much touring as we can legally afford. Eventually, we'd like to have enough success to stay on the road and see the world!