MORGAN Y. EVANS: Looking back on the decade, with the end in sight, it has been a great decade for Hatebreed. How does it feel? Even just the Live Dominance DVD. It's one of the best live DVD's I've ever seen. Now you have the self-titled record. What made you know this was the right record to make self-titled? Usually that is emblematic of something.

JAMEY JASTA: Well, it feels good. I'm glad you enjoyed the DVD. It went #1. We were really pumped about it. It's been out a little bit over a year now so we're touring in support of that, the covers record AND the self-titled record, y'know. So far, so good. This is the second headlining tour we've done so far this year in the states. We're just having a good time. People are enjoying the new songs. The self-titled record...we called it that because there is no one statement that sums up the contents. So, it just felt like the right thing to call it that, leave it at that and let the record speak for itself.

MYE: "Everyone Bleeds Now" is almost even more fuckin' aggressive than "Destroy Everything". [laughing]

JJ: [chuckling] Yeah, we're opening the shows with that and people have been going nuts. It's pretty cool to come out of the gate with that song blazin'. People have been getting into it.

MYE: You mentioned For The Lions, your recent covers record of classic metal and hard-core. I was thinking...I talked to Dying Fetus recently when they were on tour with you guys and with Stillborn Records you always promote up and coming bands. Hatebreed really helps smaller or older bands of different styles in the scene. Metal, whatever. You worked with Napalm Death. People think of the first ages of hardcore and metal as the "classic" era, of course. You watch the American Hardcore movie and some of the veterans are like "It's all been done. It's over". But, obviously it can still really change people's lives. What do you think still makes it so viable a lifestyle?

JJ: I just think the energy, the community and camaraderie of feeling that you belong somewhere, whether it is metal, hardcore, punk. We try and bring people together and create that unity throughout the tours and throughout the years. Bring out various different styles of bands. I was that kid who went to all different types of shows. I think it's stronger now than it's ever been. I've been going to shows since 1990 and I wasn't around in the late ‘80s and early ‘80s for the birth of the whole American Hardcore and cross-over movement, but I feel we're trying to do a good thing and...whatever, keep the flag high. We do our own thing and put our own spin on it to keep the legacy going. People either like it or they don't. Either way it's their problem, not ours. We do our thing and keep keepin' on.

MYE: You guys were really in the trenches and even when you were blowing up you've stayed true. I used to see you guys way back play Poughkeepsie all the time. Bands get bigger and sometimes people are suspicious, but like you said, you guys have still held the torch. There's a business side of it, too. Now they try to take all the publishing from some bands. Do you have any advice for bands coming up? Hardcore can be self-sustained at a certain level. People think, "Oh, you shouldn't get big or you lose credibility", but that's bullshit. It's not always true by any means. And if you do want to make a living of it, how do you keep going?

JJ: Yeah. Nobody should sign a bad deal. Everybody needs a good lawyer once you get to the business aspect of it. Protect yourself and make sure none of your hard work is in vain. As far as the rest, I mean, as long as you are doing things that feel like you are doing the right thing, that's all you can do. As long as you are staying proactive and passionate, giving people value for what they're paying for. We make quality sounding records. We put on a good live show. Everybody should be able to benefit from that effort.

MYE: Sure, and it is still about community for you guys, the whole “reap what you sow” theme that you even talk about in the new song "In Ashes They Shall Reap". For such a heavy, violent sounding band, I think you guys have some good karma. [laughing]

JJ: Yeah, totally. That's what the song’s about. You try to do the right thing and if it's real, the world is gonna feel it. We've been that band that with every record we gain new fans and keep our old fans. We try to go out and bring the songs into the live setting in a way where people are gonna feel good about it.

MYE: Dude, I just interviewed Danny from Skarhead and that new record is awesome. Could you tell me about your involvement in their new DRUGS, MUSIC & SEX release?

JJ: Ah, cool. Yeah, I'm happy that record is out and doing good. It was fun. I was able to do the session up at my own studio. I was glad to do a guest spot and help them out. I think after KINGS AT CRIME came out everybody was hoping for the follow up sooner, but...

MYE: [laughing]

JJ: [chuckles]...y'know...ten years goes by and it's like it could've came out right after! It's nice they put out a real quality record.

MYE: How has it been to be out there with the current touring line-up, having Wayne Lozinak back in the fold on guitar?

JJ: It's been great. The crowds have been great and having Cannibal Corpse open for us is a huge accomplishment. If I heard Cannibal was gonna be opening for us back in ‘95 I would've said, "You're crazy." So we've come a long way as a band and it's good to have them and Unearth out with us. Born Of Osiris and Hate Eternal are doing good. It's a good time. We're going to Europe with Machine Head after this. Looking forward to the summer. We're doing a huge summer tour. I can't announce it yet. The ball is bouncing in our direction and it feels good. We're still in this transition. We've got these three releases that came out from this new deal with E1 and we've got Wayne back in the band. Normally transition is very difficult for a lot of bands. We've been able to have a seamless flow and positive thinking and energy to have it grow. That's all that you can really do, especially with the turn of the decade. You've got to think, "Wow. We're grateful we've made it this long." Five hours deep and to have such a rabid, diehard fan base, especially coming from the hardcore scene which can often be very judgmental and critical of the bands they build up. For us to still be with our peers and so many bands we've come up with and to be looked upon as our own institution that you can rely on for every record is a great thing. So we want to just keep it going. For next year we'll do another album and another tour and go into next fall hopefully with another record coming out.

MYE: I've sung in bands about 15 years and also got into interviewing along the way, like I'm obviously doing with you right now. You've of course interviewed a lot of bands when you did Headbanger's Ball and other times. I feel like I've learned a lot or it broadened my perspectives being put in that spot where you have to talk about or look at another band’s point of view. You also have a sort of responsibility to try and frame things well to introduce people to music they've never heard and to properly help convey where the artist is coming from. Did anything from being in that role yourself teach you anything, from either learning more about yourself, communicating with people, or feeling awkward? [laughing]

JJ: Oh, yeah. Totally. I've had interviews where I had no idea where the person was or what their music was about. Getting that information out there is good. It broadens your mind and your whole outlook on music. There's a lot of people I became fans of after I interviewed them and I heard their take on the music they were putting out. There's other ones that I never understood as well. It goes both ways, but to each his own. As long as you're trying to do something positive and help people, and especially when you get to help a band you really like, it's a good thing.

MYE: And it can help connect the dots between different eras of music or just make for funny experiences.

JJ: Totally. I interviewed Buckethead and he didn't even talk!

MYE: [laughing]

JJ: There's other guys there who did the talking, but...I don't know one Buckethead song. I know he's a phenomenal guitar player, but it makes you think, man. What information is out there? For some people they don't need to get the information out there, him being one of them. [chuckling]

MYE: That's one thing that was great about your Hatebreed Live Dominance DVD. People could really get more of the spirit of the band from the DVD extras. You have that whole “attitude of gratitude” speech.

JJ: Well, yeah. Fortunately now the DVD has helped put a face on the movement and people got a better understanding of what we do. It was long overdue. Yeah, all that stuff helps. Throughout the years doing various interviews, there's always somebody new who is gonna pick up a magazine or pick up the paper or whatever it is. You need that flow of information, so we appreciate it.

MYE: To talk current events a bit, I tend to be very liberal. I think the Iraq War was bullshit but I have compassion for the troops who enlist trying to go into it for something they believe in, like 9/11. Your band has always been supportive of troops and have a lot of fans in the military. Still, I kind of find myself supporting this troop surge in Afghanistan. War is horrible and I don't know who is going to pay for it. War bonds would be good but who can afford it? maybe Miley Cyrus can buy a ton of them. The US can't do it all ourselves, but we do need to get the situation over there under control like should've been done right after 9/11. I was wondering what you wanted to say about that or to the troops that are out there or who are going to be returning? How do we get this job done?

JJ: I just hope and pray that everybody that's there currently serving can get home safe and sound. In the inner city a lot of people's way out is joining the military. For a lot of people it gives them a way to get education they unfortunately aren't able to get on their own. Travelling all over the world I see people from all different forces...the British military, the French, Germans. I've been to Israel, South America, Japan. To me, young people everywhere regardless of whether they agree with what's going on and certain conflicts, the military is often their way to get education or a way out. All you can do is say "get home safe" and try to keep a positive outlook. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of people injured or coming home with PTSD, even guys from the Gulf War. I remember going to shows with guys who then went and came home from the Gulf War. Now you've got the new guys in Afghanistan and Iraq and we see it. On our last tour when we played where people are stationed there's less people there because they are all overseas serving.

MYE: Yeah. There's the issue of troop fatigue, too. They need new troops in some ways. It's not fair to just reuse the same people. People say there are only one hundred enemies in Afghanistan but the issue of the border with Pakistan is very relevant. It's really complicated and not happy.

JJ: Yeah, and a lot of people go back because they want to do the right thing they believe for their country. They want to serve and I commend them, but it's a lot of stress and a lot of families are on edge, especially with the holidays coming up. Many people are just wishing their family members would come home and I hope that something good comes out of all of this.

MYE: Yeah, me too. It's not an easy thing. Lastly, can you tell us about this year's Stillborn Fest, what's coming up with it?

JJ: We had to take last year off to regroup and everything. A lot of fans were disappointed so this year we had to make sure we had more bang for your buck. We have a real quality line-up. We've got The Casualties representing punk rock, Crowbar doing sludge metal. the Acacia Strain for the young kids and some bands on my label. At the Poughkeepsie show there'll be The World We Knew, Thy Will Be Done, Strength For A Reason, so it's gonna be great. We're psyched to get back and give everybody the show they deserve.

MYE: Well, great to talk with you finally. I've been wanting to interview you for awhile.

JJ: Awesome,thanks. I appreciate it. Have a good one.

MYE: Alright, man.