Here is an interview I did with Eli Janney via e-mail in May of 1998.

well, the new GvsB album is scheduled for release on June 2nd and it is entitled "FREAK*ON*ICA". The new album will hint at the days of "Venus Luxure No.1", while moving boldly into the future with new arrangements and a new label(DGC). Wondering what drives the band to do what they do and move into unexplored territory with each subsequent album, I interviewed Eli Janney via e-mail and here's what he had to say...

1) How do you go about writing lyrics? Is there any one song that stands out lyrically? Or is your music at the forefront?

Scott writes most of the lyrics, they are inspired by a title or phrase that gets attached to the song during the writing phase. We work with that theme to create a abstract narrative that allows that voice to act as a fifth (or sixth) instrument.

2) What do you like/dislike about touring?

I love to perform. That one hour a day is an amazing time, it always inspires me and pushes me along, even if the show sucks. The other 23 hours a day suck.

3) Which bands do you feel are your contemporaries?

I love bands that don't do what they are supposed to do, bands that try to push their genre or even their own band image. Goldie does that, Skeleton Key (from NYC), lots of unkown djs and groups like Thunderball and Theivery Corporation (both from DC). And I love bands that groove.

4) What do you see as "selling out"? Is it something as simple as signing to a major label, or is it more than that?

Selling out means lots of things, but I think the most important thing is to make the music that you want to make and will be proud of in 10years. And to try and ignore the outside forces that try to shape your music to what they think it should be, whether that a label or the public...

5) Where do you see yourself in the context of original, American music in 1998?

Working and still a band on the fifth album, I think that's an acheivement.

6) If you could tour with any band, past or present, who would it be and why?

I think the Rolling Stones on the Sticky Fingers tour, with Robert Frank filming them, that would be cool, or the Chemical Brothers on the Exit Planet Dust tour, new and exciting music on both tours...

7) What influences you to write/play? Is there something thatbhappened that made you want to be in a band?

My brother was in a band called The Faith that had an album out on Dischord, that album "Subject to Change", made me want to play music.

8) While you are on the road, is there any music you take with or games you play to pass the time? Any interesting stories?

No interesting stories, but we like to play "Annoy each other to the point of Murder" all the time. It's great.

9) Lastly, any closing advice?

Educate yourself before accepting anything at face value.