How is it you left Evergreen Terrace and came to be in Stick To Your Guns?

Double J. Hotsauce: It came to a point where it wasn’t fun for me to be in Evergreen Terrace. The feeling didn’t pass and it started to feel more like an unwanted job. I felt disconnected from the music and there was a lot of turmoil between band members. We came to the agreement that (the band) would stop being a full time group and take it easy for awhile. During that period, I was approached by STYG to play guitar. A big reason why I said “yes” was because I really liked all the individuals of the band, we all seemed to click and I really liked the message of the group. I remember being so excited during the first tour I did, because it didn’t have that feeling of an unwanted job. It had the feeling of an adventure. It had that feeling of friendship. It had that feeling of everyone being on a focused mission. The crazy party is, every time we go on tour, that feeling still exists. These guys are my best friends.

Did you know any of these mortals previously?

Double J. Hotsauce: Yeah. Evergreen Terrace and Stick To Your Guns had toured together a couple time over the years. That’s how I met them, with the exception of Chris. I’ve known him for 12 years, from Evergreen Terrace and Walls of Jericho touring together.

How did you come to be straight edge?

Double J. Hotsauce: When I was a young teenager, I tried drinking and smoking pot, but it wasn’t that fun for me. I enjoyed being sober more. I found out about straight ddge and thought to myself, “well that’s me!” And that’s it. I never had the desire to do anything. I’ve watched a lot of my friends that I grew up with die from substance abuse. It’s a bummer, but I’m glad my individuality overcame peer pressure. I know that every word and every action I do is all me…whether it’s good or bad. I’m responsible for it in my natural state of mind.

I’ve heard straight edge guys are horn dawgs. Is this true for you?

Double J. Hotsauce: It depends on the moon cycle.

What’s the most you’ve ever jerked off in one day?

Double J. Hotsauce: I don’t know…8 or 9. Junior High was a lonely time for me.

I would think jerking off on tour would be tricky. Where do you usually take care of yourself?

Double J. Hotsauce: We carry a 4×4 pod with us called “The Egg.” Anytime you need alone time, you curl up in the fetal position and are placed inside of it…to conduct any alone time you may need. Andrew typically knits in there.

A surprisingly large number of bands interviewed have confessed to having jerk off contests while they drive through long stretches. Have you ever participated in such an alluring event?

Double J. Hotsauce: No…you could go blind from that.

If you did with this collection of male mortals, who do you think would ejaculate first?

Double J. Hotsauce: If we weren’t straight, I think the sarcastic, abusive language we regularly use, would prohibit anyone from even getting to first bass. It’s the equivalent to you, a gay zombie, getting with four females that smell like sweat, throw up and shit….or maybe just perfume. Not too sure which would be less arousing for you.

Well spoken. Were you a part of the DIAMOND writing/recording process?

Double J. Hotsauce: I joined the band in the studio. The writing was already completed.

That was over a year ago. So let me ask you this…How does a particular subject work it’s way into a song? Is that all Jesse? Or could one of you say, ” I feel really strong about a topic and I think we should write a song about it.”

Double J. Hotsauce: Jesse writes all the lyrics and chooses a direction lyrically, but is completely open to ideas about subject matter. I love the way he writes and the topics he covers.

Of the various issues that have been addressed in the bands songs, which one do you feel the strongest connection to…and why?

Double J. Hotsauce: “Life in a Box.” When I listen to that song, it makes me angry, sad and motivated at the same time. Anger comes to the surface, because my mind can’t comprehend the stupidity, ignorance and selfishness of homophobia. The sadness comes because being gay isn’t wrong. The fact that so many people go out of the way to destroy something natural, that has no effect on them, breaks my heart. It’s easy to forget that people are still denied basic, human rights, when you aren’t living that life. This song is a reminder that every day, people are not only beaten, bullied and killed by homophobic idiots, but they are also denied legal rights to love, based on hate and fear. The government systematically denies many couple rights to tax and healthcare benefits. It’s lead by the people and it seems like those homophobic assholes are louder than the rest, at times. We have to talk about this issue to force a change. You have to be reminded. Get mad, be loud, demand a change and make a difference.

In the same way a band like Slayer is kind of stuck writing dark-themed songs, do you think STYG has to write meaningful songs? Are you trapped in this image?

Double J. Hotsauce: No. We don’t have to, but we choose to. An image is just a bunch of bullshit; a selling point. We don’t set limitations on this band, or ourselves.

So you’re saying the band could get away with writing a song about gang-banging me?

Double J. Hotsauce: Wait!…we don’t already have one?

NO! And I’m pissed off about it! How has the band grown musically, since you joined? Do you foresee the group moving more in a certain direction, on the next album?

Double J. Hotsauce: We have a few new songs. It definitely feels like a continuation of Diamond, style-wise. We are going to write a shit load of songs and see what works the best. We all love Diamond and really feel that direction is the sound of STYG.

Since this will be your first album, from writing to completion, what do you think you will bring to the table?

Double J. Hotsauce: Hopefully some laughs and riffs that make you want to break something.

And when do you see a new album coming out?

Double J. Hotsauce: Let’s say 2014, for now.