KH: Because we still haven't made the perfect record yet, so we keep going!

All reviews I’ve read so far tend to talk of Barriers And Passages as a shit record or a masterpiece, nothing in between. Doesn’t that mean, that one can only love or hate your music?

KH: I'd rather it be that way than anything else. Any kind of reaction is better than no reaction.

Well, these times seem to be good ones for progressive music. The press simply loves acts like DREDG and MASTODON, their records are being sold as good as tasty beer and the concert halls are full. So, do you think, that DYSRHYTHMIA will soon get a piece of the cake?

KH: Probably not, being instrumental seems to limit us a lot more than those other bands you mentioned. But it still is encourgaing to see people becoming a little more open to more challenging music again.

Talking about progressive and forward thinking music, in July you’ll be on tour with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, a band, that can be put into that special corner, but which is also massively hated or misunderstood just like you are. How will the people react on that tour package, what do you think?

KH: We are really hoping that the DEP tour will help us gain some new listeners. It will be the largest tour we've done yet and we're very excited.

Actually, you are on tour with BEHOLD... THE ARCTOPUS at the moment. How is the tour doing so far? How are the people reacting, how many groupies did you have so far, how many bottles and sandwiches have been thrown at you so far and how strong is the load for Colin, who plays in both bands?

KH: That's a lot of questions there partner.... This tour is going swell so far. The people who are coming out are there strictly for the music and are very intense about their appreciation for our music when we talk to them afterwards. Groupies?? Hmm.. obviously you've never been to a Dysrhythmia show. No bottles or sandwiches throw at us yet, sadly. Many times during our performances I am craving a good sandwich or bottle of alcohol. Colin is doing well handling the 2 sets with both bands every night.

Back to your music: I actually had some problems to categorize it, so, where do the creators of Barriers And Passages see their place in the world of music? Are you personally feeling comfortable with genres like Noise Rock or Mathcore, with whom DYSRHYTHMIA are normally connected with?

KH: I really don't know. Obviously I can't deny the progressive/technicial aspects of our music but I think it also offers a lot more in terms of atmosphere, energy and rawness.

Well, talking about genres: If you wouldn't play this crazy shit you play, what other musical style would you prefer to follow? Britpop? Country? Doom Metal?

KH: Probably britpop country doom metal, that sounds good to me. It will be called The Primal Hillbillys of Solitude.

Is there a movie, that perfectly visualizes your music in things of atmosphere, etc.? Please tell me the reason, why you’ve chosen that special flick!

KH: The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is the Japanese film Tetsuo: The Iron Man. It's just totally choatic but with sudden moments of placidness and surrealness.

Let’s talk a bit about the future: Will you one day experiment with a singer, or will you stick to that No vocals! thing? I’ve written in my review, that your music doesn’t need a singer, he or she would even be disturbing, but many people seem to have problems with that fact. What do you think?

KH: Again, I don't care what people think. I has no desire to ever add a vocalist to our music.

Are there any shows planned in Germany?

KH: Not yet. But hopefully next year! We will make this happen.

With what band would you love to go on tour? Then: If you had to choose: VOIVOD or WATCHTOWER?

KH: Well we would have to go back in time to 1989. Both bands were influencial to me growing up but VOIVOD is probably my favorite band of all time. I always dreamed of getting to tour with them but now will the loss of Piggy it will never become a reality.

By the way, are you also looking forward to the upcoming MEAT LOAF release Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose?

KH: Absoloutely. Not.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to re-release your first two records on Relapse, as they are out of print at the moment?

KH: The first record 'Contradiction' is not something we're looking to ever release again. 'No Inteference' our second record, was just recently re-issued on Translation Loss Records with a bonus live set.

Now let’s talk a bit about your past: Kevin was a short time in WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, if I’m right informed, which is actually one of my favourite Doom acts out there. Could you please talk a bit of your time in this band?

KH: I went to high school with Tom Phillips, who is the main force behind While Heaven Wept. We became friends through our own mutual eclectic tastes in music. Back in 1995 I think it was, WHW was going into the studio to record the 'Sorrow of the Angeles' album. Tom wanted me to do most of the guitar playing so he could focus more on vocals. For some reason, the vibe wasn't right and Tom is an insane perfectionist and just basically scraped all the work we had done and started over months later, at that time I no longer had the time to devote to the record, so they completed it without me.

Jeff can be heard on the second SPASTIC INK cd. How was it to work with (or for) Ron Jarzombek?

KH: Jeff learned and recorded that particular song very quickly. I think Ron was impressed since Jeff was the most "unknown" drummer on that record. Ron's been very supportive of us ever since, often coming out to our shows whenever we're in Austin or San Antonio, TX. Actually, we just saw him last week on this tour we're on now.

What the hell is a Sleep Decayer!?

KH: When the dogs are barking very loudly outside and it's 100 degrees and mosquitos are biting you and you have too much on your mind.

German or American beer?

KH: German, but you knew that already.