I talked about all sorts of music and life stuff with DW vocalist Jeremy “Jerms” Genske near the start of the band’s dates supporting the legendary Fear Factory on that band’s Fear Campaign 2010 Tour. It is a support slot that Dirge Within seems almost perfectly destined for. Listen to Fear Factory’s amazing new return of Dino Cazares playing with Burton C. Bell on the record Mechanize, and you will find a lot of the same themes of paranoia and outrage that line the blood red walls of the tracks on Dirge Within’s Force Fed Lies. It is exciting to see a deserving band like Dirge really stepping up and finding their place in the cacophonous pantheon of metal, so don’t say I didn’t recommend them to ya!

MORGAN Y. EVANS: Dirge Within has really been dealing some serious damage lately. It seems like a wide variety of metal is back on the rise in the public mind and it is great to have a flux of hard working bands as varied as you guys, Destrophy, Landmine Marathon, Born of Osiris and Oh, Sleeper really grabbing the attention of a lot of people (just to pick a few current bands from the range of the underground). I think when people look back on this time in a decade or so they are gonna see how much stronger metal and hardcore was during this time period because of so many passionate acts, despite there being a lot of crap also. What are your feelings about the current state of music?

JEREMY “JERMS” GENSKE: My opinion on the state of music currently depends on a lot of things. I think a lot of the bands that come out these days, not to take away from talent or anything, all sound the exact same. Like for instance the “deathcore” movement that’s going on right now. It’s all well and good, but many of them don’t show anything unique or special. It’s just “let’s see how fast I can blast and how low and incomprehensible I can make my voice sound”! It gets a little old to me. However, the one’s that do, say like Whitechapel, stand out and excel. I do love the fact that metal/hard rock is being welcomed more into the mainstream, though. Especially glad that our boys in Destrophy are starting to make a buzz. I’m very proud of them, and hope for good things to come their way.

MYE: I dug your band’s name when I first heard it, a lot. The words “dirge within” make me think of a dark, steady chiming of a soul which could either be at rest or at war, like war drums calling you to your purpose! I like the contrast of a word that represents noise with the contemplative feeling of looking within. People need to listen to themselves and the quiet moments of mental calm can be just as crucial as the force of a scream. Sometimes it can be even MORE powerful, like people who can still meditate close to a battle or monks who self-immolate.

JG: I agree! When I write my lyrics, I like to add contrast. Structured insanity, ‘cuz in reality, we all have that contrast within our selves and our daily lives. Nothing is “normal” these days, and if you say you have a “normal” life, you’re frankly full of shit. I think the name reflects that, structured insanity.

MYE: So how does it feel to be a part of Fear Factory’s Fear Campaign 2010 Tour? It’s a pretty cool line-up with Winds Of Plague on there as well. You guys have already played with some classic bands like Type O Negative and Prong, but as metal fans yourselves it must feel good to be part of this, right? Are you out to kill it every night?

JG: I gotta say, I love every second of this! Being a part of the Fear Campaign Tour is such a fuckin' honor to me!

MYE: Yeah, I am jealous, dude.

JG: I grew up listening to Fear Factory, and dreaming that someday I’d be able to do what they do. Now I’m about to go on tour with them, and it just absolutely blows my mind. But to answer the other question, yes, we’re out to kill every night! No holds barred, kick your fuckin’ teeth in! It’s been working so far, and this train ain’t about to stop, so get ready!

MYE: So, Dirge Within has worked with a variety of cool people along the way already like James Murphy, Edsel Dope and Chris Djuricic. What did each bring to the table at various points that added to the “journey” of the band, not to sound all Chronicles of Narnia, but…?

JG: Every single one of them has had a hand in molding this band into what it is now. For me personally, hanging out with and talking to each of them was amazing. I learned so much about music and being a professional from them and I take it all to heart. They’ve all been there, ya know? Especially Edsel. That dude helped me get confidence in my vocal capabilities, and helped me do things vocally that I didn’t know I could do. He is such an intelligent and talented person. I dig working with him. Fuck, I still call the guy and ask for advice! [laughing]

MYE: Let’s talk about the record name Force Fed Lies. Everyone encounters lies in their life from a day-to-day basis on a small level to larger levels in society. I was just reading today about how when Bush took over from Clinton they had Rove flat-out make up lies about the Clinton team trashing the White House and shitting in desks, just juvenile fake stuff to make Dems look bad before Bush took office, which disappeared as soon as it was leaked to be fake. Politicians in different parties muddle the truth, but that is just juvenile. I wondered about the themes of your record you made sure to touch on while writing and why you ultimately chose that title?

JG: You basically said it. When writing the lyrics, like I said, I like to write about everyday circumstances. Society today is flooded with misconceptions, and false-truths. Especially in the media. How the media expects you to look/act… it’s ridiculous really. And yes, some of our songs are written about war and politics. Granted everything I wrote was written during the “Bush” era so that says a lot too. [laughing] The title track “Force Fed Lies” was written about the troops in Iraq. And even back in the Vietnam days, people giving their lives for what seems like no apparent reason. Lied to by our government, saying they we’re doing good and what’s right, when in reality it’s all for some monetary or political scheme. Same with religion, it’s all force fed to us from DAY ONE, and it deprives people from becoming individuals. It’s a sad fact really. After a lot of thought, that became the title of the album, and it reflects the society we deal with and live in today.

MYE: Right on. How did your sound develop into what it is? Obviously Shaun had been in different types of bands before. Was it clearly that you started with an intention of a certain sound for Dirge or did it surprise you as you came to get used to playing together and the end result just erupted forth like deadly lava?

JG: There was a specific idea in mind when we first got together. But, as always, when we started jamming together and learning how each other play, it evolved. Basically, all our separate influences have come into play, and somehow melded into the music we have. We’re STILL evolving. I’m really excited to start developing the next record ‘cuz I think it’s gonna take things one step further.

MYE: Slipknot, Lamb Of God, Lacuna Coil, Hatebreed, Disturbed or even Fear Factory…all these bands are cool in that they have toured with many types of bands. I think on a larger level it helps metal stay stronger. On lower levels it can be more segregated into cliques or by genre. This can make for cool micro-scenes but usually everyone just copies each other and the momentum gets neutered. IS there a particular type of show you prefer to play or will you roll with whatever scene?

JG: The thing I love about our music is that it is so diverse. We could share a stage with anyone in the rock/metal/deathcore/metalcore scene. I mean we have! We were comfortable on stage with Whitechapel, as well as Static-X. You can put us on a tour with Disturbed or Bullet For My Valentine and we will rock it like no one’s business. Same with Lamb of God and Hatebreed. I say bring it on!

MYE: In life we all have flaws and some people can be closed-minded, but in metal, there is a platform to say what you want. Sometimes that can be political or personal, but facing crowds as a band you want to be inclusive to whoever shows up. How do you approach talking with fans of different backgrounds or is it all about crushing all comers with the rock? I feel like Otep or Filter really try and reach across lines to fans of different backgrounds.

JG: For me, it’s really simple. Be yourself. Talk to people just like a normal dude. When I talk with fans, I just talk to them like I’m talking to my friends from home. There’s no difference. We’re all on the same path. I love our fans! I sit and talk with them every night after we play. When I’m on stage, I just do everything in my power to make the connection between us on stage and the ones on the floor ‘cuz that’s what it’s all about man, connecting. I see a person that looks like they’re not having a good time, I’ll point ‘em out and make them have a good time!

MYE: What are you happiest with about Force Fed Lies and how do you hope to embellish or let the band grow as you write more songs in the future? Is it presumptuous to try and preconceive this when you have the unsure element of creativity involved (which can guide us anywhere)? I like how Trivium has managed to grow with each record and sort of tied the sound of all their stages as a band together on Shogun. Or are you into veering right and left with each record? That can be cool also.

JG: With “Force Fed Lies”, I’m just happy with how it came out. We worked our asses off to make this record! I know it’s clichéd to say this, but it’s true. A lot of blood, sweat, and beers went into the making of this album. A lot of personal sacrifices were made, but it’s all for the greater good. When I heard the final product, I literally had fucking chills [laughing] and I was so proud of what we had made. As for the future, there will definitely be growth. I want to use more of my voice on the next record. Not just sing..scream..sing..low scream…repeat. I want to keep it heavy and thrashy as well, but defiantly show more depth. We all have a lot of sides to ourselves both personally and musically, and I want that to show. It’s metal…there are no fuckin’ rules!!! [laughing]

MYE: I wish everyone had your attitude. Do you have any inside info for the fans about any secret rituals you performed or revealing personal tidbits that helped shape Force Fed Lies? Any TMZ-worthy revelations for us here that Crusher can be the first to break?

JG: Shit…[laughing] Umm, I’m not sure. There was a lot of drinking, I know that much. But I guess that’d be no surprise!