Hey Jeremy! You guys have just released your debut album through Relapse Records. How long did the writing and recording process take, and what do you think of the finished product? What was the reaction from the guys at Relapse when they first heard it, and from the fans?

We started writing music for the CD back in '98, so there is a little span of time on this CD. It took us 10 days (8 hours a day) to record and mix everything down. We went to Studio One in Racine, WI to work with Chris Djuricic (Gorgasm, Jungle Rot). We heard the Gorgasm recording and instantly wanted to work with him, and we weren't disappointed in the least. We are very happy with the CD...it's not perfect, but that gives us room to work with in the future. Everyone at Relapse freaked when they heard it, they loved it. And so far, the fan response has been VERY good, especially considering it's only been out for a little less than a month.

Origin's music is of a quite brutal nature, but you manage to fuse other musical elements to set yourselves apart from other death/grind style bands. Where do you (personally, and as a band) draw inspiration from to create your music? What sort of people are attracted to your music - is it just death/grind fans, or are they from a broader musical range?

We listen to old school death metal (i.e. old Deicide, Suffocation, Malevolent Creation, Carcass, Gorguts, etc), and take things we like about their music and put it into our own. I think we have our own style of writing music...we never want to let up, to draw back on the intensity. We love making relentless music, we love to challenge ourselves...that's why Paul and I also do vocals along with Mark.

Could you tell us a little of the band's history, because you released one demo (with a different line up) and next thing we hear you are signed to Relapse? Do you think it was your hard work - through touring as support to the Death Across America tour, and countless other gigs - or the joining of "name players" Doug and John that led to Relapse picking you guys up?

Paul and I started jamming in July of '97. Paul had already jammed with Mark, George and Clint, so we had them jam with us and Origin formed in January of '98. We played our 1st show in May of '98,ng up for Suffocation, and recorded our demo the next month. We did a few more shows, including the Death Across America show in October of '98, but George and Clint were having problems that enabled us to make the progress we needed, so we had to let them go. We met John Longstreth in late '98 and he sounded interested in jamming with us. In February of '99 we started jamming with John, and he knew of a bassist by the name of Doug Willians who was also very interested in joining Origin. After jamming a few times, we instantly knew that these would be the two who would join Origin. John and I went to the Milwaukee Metalfest last year and I gave out demos to record labels, concentrating mostly on Relapse, knowing that they promote their bands more than any other label out there. Well, two weeks later, we get a call from them and started talking to them. They flew out to Denver to see us live, and we went from there.

While on the subject, what were the reasons around Doug and John joining the band? Why did the previous members depart?

The original members just had some personal problems that interfered with our progress. That's all I can really say about that, but I'm extremely happy with who we have now. I wouldn't trade them for anyone.

Your very first gig was supporting Suffocation. Do you think underground support from other bands (such as this) have helped pave the way for you guys? Do you feel the scene is strong at the moment, or do you feel that bands aren't close enough?

Every band I've met so far has been really cool. Our show with Suffocation, we got to use their equipment, which was VERY cool. Afterwards, they went to our bassists house and partied with him all night. I think bands supporting each other gives a good name to death metal and metal in general. We've gotten tofor quite a few big name bands, which gives us alot of exposure, so yes, I do believe that has paved the way for us.

You have stated that Origin will "play anywhere with anyone". How strongly do you back this statement up? Is it a case of you just love to play, or do you focus on the promotional side of touring?

Any possible show we can set up, we will play. We love to play in front of people, and we love the response we get, so we try to back that statement up 100%, and so far we have. Our first tour (Contamination 2000) should be a blast.

Have you had any offers to tour overseas yet? Is there anything you can reveal?

No, not really any talk of overseas as of yet, but hopefully within the year.

How would a typical Origin song be written? How often do you guys practice to keep yourselves tight?

Paul, Mark and I come up with the music, John puts the drums to them, and at the same time, Doug puts the bass to it, and the lyrics are the last thing to come to it....usually, anyway. We practice 5 times a week to stay tight, which is pretty hard to do. Three of us live 25 miles away from where we practice (Paul, Mark and I), and Doug lives 70 miles away from where we practice (we practice in the same town where John lives, which is about the half-way point between our houses).

Do you guys do anything other than Origin (work, school, other bands, etc), or is that your main focus in life? How far do you envisage Origin can go?

Well, right now, we all have jobs. I weld, Doug has a siding company, Mark and Paul both cook, and John works at a garage door manufacturing company. What we would love is to be able to make a living from Origin. That's where we see it going. We hope we go VERY far in the music business....we know it's hard, but nothing is stopping us.

Could you describe Origin's lyrical concepts, and how important do you feel they are to Origin? Also, could you describe the significance of the album cover? It isn't you typical "extreme metal" artwork.

Well, each song has a different topic, usually. The songs mostly deal with what angers us, what makes us hate, global issues, violence. We're not a concept band who just focuses on one sublect, because that gets old after awhile. We like to keep our doorsto new subjects and topics to write about. The album cover we felt fit our name. Origin isn't a typical brutal death/grind name, so we didn't want a typical cover. The name Origin doesn't limit us into one category, it covers a number of realms.

How can you see Origin's music evolving in future? I know it's still very early, but are there any ideas floating around for new material?

Our music will get more technical, more brutal, and of course, it will get fatser. We have already written two new songs for the next CD, and continue to write. Paul and I just seem to keep writing new material, so it shouldn't be a problem to get at least ten songs on the next one. The music we're writing now blows away anything on this CD, so I'm sure the future will hold good things for us.

Could you tell us about you guitar set-up? What inspired you to play guitar, and music in general?

I play through a Digitech 2101 preamp/processor, a Mesa 50/50 amp, a Mesa 4X12 cabinet and an Ibanez RG520QS. Paul plays through a Mesa Formula One preamp, a Mesa 90/90 amp, a Mesa 4X12 cabinet and a Hamer (not sure of the model) guitar. Doug plays through a preamp/processor and amp that I can't seem to remember the brand of right now, but his cabinet is an Ampeg 8X10 and he plays on a couple of BC Rich Warlocks with Widow headstocks...4 strings. Listening to the Ozzy/Randy Rhoads tribute CD was actually what inspired me to play guitar in the first place, just hearing the guitar on that album made me want to go out and get a guitar!!

Do you think the internet is a powerful promotional tool? What sort of websites do you visit/endorse?

I think that the internet is a VERY powerful tool for promotion. As of right now, free unlimited promotion for those who know how to use it....I'm still learning. I've met ALOT of people through advertising for Origin on the internet, people I wouldn't have met otherwise. I think this medium will grow more than anyone could imagine, so I couldn't really say what I think it will become...we'll just have to see. Anything that deals with extreme metal, I support and visit frequently. Of course the porn sites are hit too...haha.

OK, there anything you would like to add, or anything to promote?

Okay, here it goes. For those of you who want to hear original death/grind homegrown in the midwest like none you've ever heard before, Origin is your answer. We have the fastest blast beat recorded to date. Three vocalist doing three different types of vocals, excellent production, and some insane music. Check out our site at: www.origin.tsx.org. Order our CD through Relapse Records at: www.relapse.com or . Come see us on tour!!!!! Thanks alot Dave, I really appreciate this interview man.