Interview with UNDERGROUND PRESS 'Zine

So we'll start off with the new album, How's it coming along?

KH: Right now we are onto the 5th day of recording at BC Studios in Brooklyn. All the basic tracks are done and we are in the overdub process currently then soon on to mixing. In the past our records didn't contain many overdubs at all. On this one we are experimenting and embellishing a little more.. just here and there.. but I think it will really add to the forcefulness of the music in the end. Working with Martin Bisi has been great so far. He's very full of energy and enthusiasm and has captured a very heavy, raw, powerful sound from us. But the record's not done yet so I guess I can't say too much more about it... I'm super excited to hear how it will turn out.

How long have you been working on it?

KH: Like I said, this is the 5th day. We have 6 days left to finish.

Do you expect a release soon?

KH: I still have to talk to Relapse about it, but I believe the plan is to have it out in the Spring. Probably April/May.

I'm curious as to if being musically trained has ever interfered with the way you would like to write?

KH: I don't think it's ever interfered... I don't let it. I think about that from time to time... I have a history of musical training and studying theory, but I never apply it when writing my own music and I never write any of my musical ideas out on paper. I just use my ear and go with my gut.

Let me ask you the infamous question, Dysrhythmia's music definitely stands on it's own, and always tells a story without lyrics, but have you guys ever actually considered adding the element of a vocalist?

KH: No. OK, for the record.. only once in the very beginning did we ever try to add words/vocals to one of our songs. We still had plans to be instrumental but our old bassist Clayton had a vocal idea he wanted to try. It didn't work and from then on we decided we would be strictly instrumental... Although... we have performed a few cover songs live with vocals in the past. Once we covered a Technician song, I sang. Technician are friends of ours from Philadelphia, and at SXSW in Austin, TX a few years ago, our friend Rich came up on stage with us and we did "My War" by Black Flag. But there are no plans, and never will be, to add a vocalist to our band.

I know you guys just got off your tour, have there been any horrible crowds you've had to deal with or have most audiences been pretty open-minded?

KH: No horrible crowds. On certain past tours. like opening for Clutch. we got the occasional "Slayer!" or "Fuck You!". I kinda wish there were more hecklers out there.

Was there any particular band that opened up for you guys that would want our readers to check out?

KH: On this past tour there were a few that come to mind immediately... your readers who are into more experimental and innovative rock music should check out these bands: Ahleuchatistas, Stinking Lizaveta, Collapsar, Lethe, Issen, Exit the King, and The Wayward.

What are your views on the current music scene?

KH: The trends only seem to get worse.

What is your musical stance on Nu Metal and Hardcore since they have become the 80's hairmetal of today?

KH: Never got down with nu-metal and what exactly is hardcore these days? If by hardcore we’re talking about Bad Brains and shit, then I love it.. If by hardcore you mean those bands that have like six words in their name, all have the same haircut, and cry about their girlfriends over chugga chords, then yes, it’s become the hairmetal of today and people will look back on it and laugh in 10 years.

I read somewhere that your side project Byla was going to be releasing a CD soon, how is that coming along, and where can we check out your tunes.

KH: It’s already out. A label called Translation Loss released it last Spring and I’m still pleased with how it turned out. To hear some excerpts from the album you can go to myspace.com/byla.

Can you tell us a little about Byla?

KH: It started in August 2003 with Colin [who wasn’t in Dysrhythmia at the time] and I getting together at his home studio. With his set up it’s real simple to just record ideas as they come and have all the time in the world to experiment and shape them. We’ve begun working on the follow-up and it will contain vocal contributions from Jarboe, who used to be in the band Swans, and whoes work we greatly admire. The first album was overall very soothing, this next one will be a little more intense.

Any Side projects from the other guys?

KH: Colin’s other primary band is Behold... the Arctopus. I wouldn’t call that a side project, they are pretty active and have a strong fan base. He’s also a part of Infidel?/Castro. Which, like Byla, is more studio-based. I don’t do much else musically besides Dysrhythmia and Byla right now, though I did some original music for an independent film maker recently and that was really enjoyable and something I would like to do more of. Jeff’s not involved in anything else right now besides this band.

Are there any underground bands you'd like to tell our readers about? (any genre)

KH: Floppy Waffle. They totally rule.

Any last comments or anything you'd like to put out there that hasn’t been asked?

KH: Thanks for the interest in what we’re doing. Good luck with your ‘zine.