Dream Or Nightmare
***This interview was answered by Joe Sims (JS) and Jim Arnold (JA)***
1. Please tell the readers about the band. When it was formed, the line-up, releases and stuff like that.
JS: I started the band as a solo project in 1999. I wrote 11 songs for a CD that was going to be called Joe Sims "Dream or Nightmare". I was going to use that title because the main theme of the CD was going to be about fucked up things in life that are positive and negative at the same time. Later on after I realized that it was going to be too hard for me to market a solo project I started forming the band and the name stuck. The band was formed in 2000 and the current lineup is me on guitar, Jim Arnold on vocals, guitar, and keyboards, Dave Rhynard on vocals and bass, and Russ Kirk on drums. We've done 2 demos and as of summer 2003 we're working on a new one. Also, the 4 tunes on our 2002 demo are on the CD ROM "Recorded History" through Emperor Multimedia.
2. How would you describe your music? What are your musical influences?
JS:We're different. Some thrash, some power, some progressive, and some that I don't know what to call it. On the older stuff we were mainly power/thrash, but we are writing totally as a band now and all kinds of other different influences have come into play that makes the stuff more interesting. Other than power, thrash, and progressive (which are still the main ones), you can add classical, folk, classic rock, and even some R&B. We think that good music and a good influence can come from just about anywhere, keeping your mind open can lead to a lot of killer ideas for metal in places you wouldn't think you'd find it. Personally, I'm the power/thrash guy. My main influences are old Metallica, Black Sabbath, old Queensryche, Maiden, Iced Earth, and old Savatage.
JA: Mine would be Pink Floyd, Metallica, Indigo Girls, Slayer, NIN, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Steely Dan, Elton John, Tori Amos, Styx, Sublime, and Overkill.
3. What inspires you lyrically? What topics do the lyrics deal with?
JA: From my own life and those I meet in my life. Lyrics reflect the phase my life is in the day that I'm writing.
JS: My writing for this project also usually deals with issues in life, usually fucked up ones. About situations that are personal to us, but written in a way that hopefully other people can relate to. On the other hand, Dave writes about horror themes and shit that's unusual and way out there. He definitely comes up with some cool and different stuff that blends in well with me and Jim's writing style. Gives us extra variety.
4. What is the main purpose of your music? Any political/religious message?
JS: Main purpose? To shred eardrums, cause mayhem, but still be interesting and intelligent. No major up front messages, at least not for now. But we definitely do have some strong political opinions.........
JA: A few of our songs do have a bit of a political message, but overall I just write to vent. I just wanna express myself and how I view things in this society.
5. What about live shows? Have you played any gigs lately? How often do you play live?
JA: Haven't had any gigs lately. We had some issues in the past with our singer so we had to rearrange our lineup.
JS: After we fired our old singer last year, we looked for a couple months for a replacement, decided that Jim and Dave would do the vocals, rehearsed for a while with the new lineup, and went right into preproduction and then the recording of our new CD. So we really haven't had the chance to do any shows for a little while. We are looking to get back on stage as soon as possible.
6. How is the metal scene in your area? Are you in contact with other bands?
JA: There are lots of other bands in our area.
JS: The scene here isn't bad. Some things could be improved; we could use more underground zines and radio, but there are quite a few pretty good places to play and for the most part people support the bands. We're in contact with signed bands from here like Chimiara, Mushroomhead, and Shades of Grey.
7. Is anybody in your band involved in other projects? If yes, who and which?
JA: Nope, we don't have any time.
JS: The hidden track on the new CD, "The Dawn", was originally done by Jim and Dave as a personal side project a while back. Even though it's not our style, everybody really digs the tune and Russ and me talked them into putting it on our disc. Other than that, nobody's doing anything other than Dream or Nightmare.
8. What is the best CD / demo you have heard in the last month?
JS: I'm still listening to the latest Inflames and Iced Earth. I also want to pick up a copy of the new Chimiara.
JA: Hmmmm....Would have to say Metallica. It's good to hear them going back to some of their roots.
9. What was the last concert you went to? What was the best concert you have been at?
JS: I think the last show I went to was Mushroomhead. It was pretty cool! Damn, the BEST I've been to is hard to say. I guess it would have to be Metallica and Queensryche on my birthday (the ".....And Justice for All"/"Operation: Mindcrime" tours). A close second would be Savatage in 1990.
JA: Queensryche show in 1989 was the best show that I've been at. That was for their "Operation: Mindcrime" CD.
10. What kind of beverage is your favorite? Any special brands? Do you do any drugs?
JS: Definitely beer. Budweiser and Busch are what I drink the most. I'm not big time into the drug scene, but I'm around it a lot!
JA: I like coffee and I like tea, but what I really like is to smoke some weed!
11. What can really piss you off?
JA: Dumb people that don't realize the consequences of their actions to others.
JS: When the police are assholes, when I get ripped off (especially by a friend), when my shit breaks down, when somebody messes with my family or friends, and when the beer runs out.......
12. What are you plans for the future? Gigs, releases and so on.
JS: Get this new disc out, get our merchandise together, and get on the road. We're probably looking at the East coast of the US to start with, but we also have a ton of contacts in Europe so I'm hoping that we'll have the chance to play there.
JA: Hopefully we'll get this disc done within a few months and distribute it, then finish putting our live show together and maybe do some short two week tours on the East coast.
13. That’s it for now. Thank you for the interview. If you would like to insult and/or offend someone, please do it here. If you have a closing remark/statement, this is also the place.
JS: Check out our website at Dream Or Nightmare . It has a lot of cool stuff like a couple kickass videos and fan club info ("the Nightmare Militia"). If anybody wants to get in touch, my E-mail is simsmetal@aol.com . It may take a little time, but I return all mail (unless my damn computer crashes again)! Thanks for the interview and be looking for our new release!
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