SJM: Could you please introduce Give Up The Ghost and tell us who is playing which part in the band.

Wes: Tim plays guitar, Brian plays bass right now, Alex is drums and I sing(Wes).

SJM: What can you say about the history of Give Up The Ghost?

Wes: Our first show was in Portland, Maine in February 2000 with In My Eyes and Right Brigade. The first year we were a band we recorded two 7"s and one LP and decided that we wanted to tour. So we did, and still do. Thatīs what our band is really. We want to experience life and see weird shit. We used to be called American Nightmare but we had to change that.

SJM: How about the American shows and the European tour so far? I read sentences, where you say you feel good to meet some people you met in the past out there at the shows again... What about the shows themselves. Were they a success? Anything worth mentioning? What about the fact that your guitar player left the band right before the tour? Quite tricky situation for the rest of the band...

Wes: I mean, its great, even if we play shitty shows we don`t really care too much. I don`t know about if they were a `success` or not, but we had fun, thatīs success. Josh was asked by us not to come to Europe so it was a situation we were ready for, and thatīs between us 5 people. Overall, we loved it. Italy, Sweden, Holland, some German dates and getting to play with Malkovich were highlights of the tour. And staying in a hostel with 100 Demons and death threat in Belgium was great...

SJM: I know some of you played in well-known bands before (like Tim Cossar in Ten Yard Fight). How come you guys met and formed American Nightmare first and then Give Up The Ghost? In how far do the old bands have an influence on the music you now play?

Wes: I think we just started a band because we wanted to and we werenīt in bands at the time and thatīs kind of what you do if you are into hardcore. You either start a band or a zine or etc etc etc because you love it and because you should. The old bands or whatever have had a strong influence on us, as thatīs the type of hardcore we all enjoy.

SJM: What about the name itself? Which ghost do you mean or is it just a phrase with no meaning or idea underlying it?

Wes: We are more than haunted.

SJM: Your brand new record is called "Weīre down ītil weīre underground". To me itīs not quite easy to comprehend it because in a way this phrase (the town tells you) does not make sense. Does it? What does it express I just canīt figure out?

Wes: Listen, if you want, when people and a world full of them are coming down on you for simply who you are, you can tell them to fuck off because you are who you are, thatīs what you are, and that is what you will always be.

SJM: On the cover photo we can see a heart made up by little sweets and words on them, whereof most of them have to do with love, like the first song and on the one most obvious "hope" is written? What does that picture mean?

Wes: Itīs more or less a touch of sweet irony. All things that taste sooo good, like candy.

SJM: You changed your name from American Nightmare into Give Up The Ghost? What else did change?

Wes: A drummer and thatīs about it. Our new record is different than the one before it, but still along the same lines and still sounds like the same band. Every record we have ever done is different than another one.

SJM: In my review I called your lyrics "powerful, direct, ironic and facing what has to be faced". Would you agree to that?

Wes: Sure. I mean, I think a listenerīs interpretation is more important than mine anyway, you know? I already know what the songs are about and that should only matter to me, so after that, its about what you get from it.

SJM: What can the listeners, who donīt know the new record so far, expect from the new album? How would you describe it in your own way?

Wes: Its not metal. Its kind of fast punk/hardcore done with sincerity, and doesnīt give into all of the formats that people who liked our first record want us to fit into really. I mean, you can probably download it. We are afraid and in love with tradition.

SJM: The lyrics say: "I used to compare myself, but I donīt care anymore...I never had it. You never had it. We were young and the sun didnīt shine on us." To me this song ("since always") is about becoming an adult. Am I right?

Wes: I dont know about becoming an adult neccessarily, but yea, it is about living and growing and the oh-so-many realizations that we have as people, to dispell or to wallow in.

SJM: To me there are 2 major topics in the lyrics. The first one is the opinion of the town youīre living in (seems to be quite negative) and the love-theme which plays a role in almost every song. What can you say about your priorities in writing lyrics?

Wes: The only thing that is important to me in writing, is to be quite real with myself, and only write about what my reality is at the time of writing. Otherwise we would be faking it. The words are just what is in my head.

SJM: Is touring something you canīt live without or does it just the next step after releasing a record? What does touring mean to you?

Wes: Touring is everything. Although I havenīt been in my bed since September 1st and it is now Jan 29. Iīm more than tired, but touring really is a different way to live. Its like it shouldnīt be possible really, hanging out with friends all over the world and not having to work, kinda.

SJM: What about the forseeable future? Does the band have any plans except promoting the new record all over the world?

Wes: Actually this is the first time in a while that we donīt have any plans. We fly home from Tokyo today and sleep for a long time.

SJM: What are you gonna do concerning a second guitarplayer? All the songs of the new record are written for two guitars. Does your 2nd guitarplayer like to play the bass guitar or are you looking for someone else to do the job?

Wes: We arenīt too sure. Brian is so bored of bass, he wants to play guitar again. We do need a second guitarist but we havenīt decided upon anything.

SJM: The last statement is yours:

Wes: Listen to The Slits.

SJM: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer a few questions and all the best wishes for the future.

(Dennis Grenzel)