1. One of the reasons Out Cold was formed for was the distaste for the contemporary music scene, it was then. But after about 12 years of being here there had to be something positive, great that leads you through? Is it still so exciting for you like 12 years before? And what do you think about pride of being here for 12 years?

MS: We just like playing hardcore. We're in our own little world, so that helps! We feel just as excited as before, probably more so, and it really doesn't feel like we have been together for this long, now in our 14th year.

2. When Out Cold started no one really playing 80's hardcore. What influenced you to play that kind of hardcore?

MS: We are big fans of early hardcore, the only hardcore I listen to. Minor threat, Bad Brains, GBH, SOA, and a lot of the early punk has had a huge influence on us.

3. Do you have any goals, or a massage, and are you satisfied with what you've accomplished 'till now?

MS: The only goal is to put out records we like. I never thought we would tour or get this far, so it's all a suprise to me. I'm happy with what we have done, we just want to keep doing what we're doing...

4. What do you think about today's American hardcore scene? Is there any good bands compared to early 80's hardcore bands?

MS: I don't listen to any new hardcore bands. There are probably some good ones out there, I just don't know of them.

5. You were going to break up back in 1998. What happened and what inspired you to keep going?

MS: When we got offered the first tour, we decided that we would keep the band together for that, we figured we owed the band that much anyway. Then, when we were practicing for the tour, John and I decided that we should keep the band going, because we loved playing too much to stop.

6. Out Cold lyrics always looks very personal. What do you think, is hardcore more political or personal? Is it more about personal life frustrations or about the ways to resist?

MS: To me, it depends on the band. I always write personal lyrics. I have my own political views, but I choose not to write about them. Out Cold has always been about anger and personal torment. Basically being mentally fucked up.

7. In these days metal is a major influence in hardcore music. How do you feel about this?

MS: If there is metal in hardcore it becomes metal and stops being hardcore. All I can think about is in high school I used to get made fun of by the people who liked metal.

8. Acme Records is your own label. Is it hard to keep label going? What kind of bands you put out and what kind of bands we can expect in future?

JE: Yeah, it's hard to keep it going. I don't sell a whole lot and have to put a lot of my own personal money into it to keep it going. I put out anything I really like. I'm not a genre-specific label. Mostly it's punk & hardcore because that's what's been largely available to me, but I've also put out straight-up rocknroll stuff, surf music, etc. The only releases I have coming up that are looking pretty certain are the Bad Chopper CD (CJ Ramone's new band which Mark & I play in), and some new Out Cold stuff. I am supposed to be reissuing a classic White Flag album on CD, but I'm not sure when (or if) that'll ever happen.

9. You have played in Belgrade this year with Milkman. What kind of impressions do you have about this gig? Also, what do you think about Belgrade, Serbia and Serbians in general? Maybe our hardcore scene?

JE: The show we played in Belgrade was one of the best shows we've ever played. In the top 5 for sure. We didn't spend a whole lot of time there (only 2 days) so we didn't really get a chance to develop a strong opinion on the place. I liked what I saw of Belgrade. It was quite a beautiful city. I was impressed with the buildings and the architecture. The people we met were very nice also. I can't really say anything bad about the place. We were told that the general atmosphere of the country had greatly improved in the previous ten years or so, that a lot of the oppression had abated. I don't know. Unfortunately, I'm not really familiar with any of the bands there. I didn't even get to see any of the opening bands that night because I was stuck way in the back around the corner behind the bar selling merchandise.

10. I have one theory that Out Cold is way more popular in Europe then in USA. What do you think about this? Can you tell me something about major differences between USA and Europe?

MS: I like the fact that we seem to be more popular overseas. It has been a blast playing in different countries, and seeing people sing your songs and be really happy to see us. I never dreamed this would happen. America is very spoiled in the fact that there is always bands playing everynight. It tends to be way more fashion-oriented also, and seems to put the music secondary, behind the clothes! In Europe, there seems to be a better understanding about hardcore and the love of music.

11. Since war in Iraq is the most important issue in world today, can you tell me what are your thoughts about this? I have experience with American bombardment and know how terrible it can be.

MS: I'm sure we don't know the truth about what's going on. Every country has it's own spin on telling it's people what they want them to hear. I feel bad for the people of Iraq. Most people just want to be happy and live their lives in peace. It's always the common person, not the people in power that always seem to pay the price. Unfortunately, people in other countries sometimes get the idea that if you're an American, then you automatically want to bully your way around the rest of the world, and that's not true. You would be suprised at the amount of people protesting the war over here, and how the majority of the population has little faith in our government.

12. Well, let's get back in time of forming the band. Can you tell me something more about first line-up, why you've changed name Blisterd Fingers to Out Cold etc.?

MS: The first line-up of the band lasted for about five years. We did the first LP and a few singles, then Kevin quit. He was the first singer when I was still the bass player. He wanted to do something more along the lines of Nick Cave, and was getting out of hardcore. The name Blisterd Fingers was taken from a Beatles song (someone screams "I've got blisters on my fingers!"), but we changed the name pretty much right away, before we did any recording.

13. There's been several line-up changes. What's been the most dramatic change in sound when someone new has entered the band?

MS: John and I keep a short leash on Out Cold. I write all the songs, so when someone new enters the band, they usually play what we show them. As far as changing the sound, I think our new guitar player, Micah, adds a little rock and roll to the slower stuff that I really like.

14. What has been the longest running threat to your definition of hardcore?

MS: That metal and hardcore should be combined, and also, that most of what's being called hardcore today is nowhere near what I think hardcore is.

15. How is it that "Will Attack If Provoked" is your fastest record and you're older?

MS: I'm not sure, I've always loved fast music. I guess it is faster, but it seems like a natural progression for us. We started as a hardcore band and when we finish, we'll end as a hardcore band!

16. Do you think that jobs you have outside the band helps or hurts the music you make?

MS: I think it helps. It's always nice to be frustrated and miserable before you play hardcore. It makes it that much more fun!

17. That's all from me. Any closing words?