APRIL 2004 - One of New England's best-kept secrets for the past few years has been WERE ALL GONNA DIE. Floored as we were upon receiving their "Go To Hell" disc a few years back, guitarist and main songwriter Jim Healey graciously agreed to answer a few of our itching, burning inquiries.

Marchman: Why is "We're All Gonna Die" the perfect name for this band? How does it describe the music, in your opinion?

Jim Healey: Well, the name can be taken to mean a few things. It can be looked at as a kind of “death metal” sounding name, but we are not a death metal, so it has confused some people. The way we really think of it is in more of the terms of the last really true statement. If you are alive, you are going to die eventually, and so is everyone you know, so get on with your life and do what you have to do. Because we are all related, we have shared a lot of the same life experiences. I think the name kind of sums up our collective philosophy about life, music, etc. Some things in life suck, some are good, but we are making the music we want to make, and that is good enough for me.

Marchman: WAGD alternates in many of the songs between clean guitar voicing and heavy, crunchy riffs for the choruses. Is this a conscious pattern in your songwriting?

JH: It is and it isn’t. Dynamics have always been really important. The formula of clean to distortion can be played out if it isn’t done right. The parts of the song have to shift dynamically as well for it to work. If you can let a song build, then kick the shit out of it for a bit, bring it back down, and really kick the shit out of it, you might have a good tune on your hands.

Marchman: The vocals on the album are really spectacular.... very much like the guitar arrangements; some soulful, ballad-like melodies give way to maniacal screaming. Do most folks pick up on the vocals first, or is it the bass lines, guitar...what do you hear the most praise about?

JH: Thanks. Well, a lot of people pick up on the vocals, just because there is singing as opposed to all screaming. There are a bunch of different types of songs on “Go To Hell”, so certain people pick up on certain songs and aspects of those songs. I think we hear the most praise about the fact that we are a trio and we sound like a bigger band. Everyone fills up the space they need to without overplaying.

Marchman: The album cover is great, monumentally offensive in a lot of ways. Have you gotten any shit from people because of the stained-glass window album cover?

JH: I think the artwork is perfect, and I am glad you dig it. Believe it or not, we haven’t really gotten that much shit for it. Everyone seems to “get it”. It is meant to be very tongue in cheek offensive, meaning that the easily offended would be pissed, but everyone else would laugh. A guy name Salty Dave (www.saltydave.com) did the art for us. He is a sick artist. His shit is twisted, and offensive, and funny. That’s why we worked with him. He had a bunch of ideas that he threw our way, and the stained glass reversible cover was the one we dug. We were a little worried about the death metal thing given that name of the band and the name of the CD, but we ended up digging it, and just went with it.

Marchman: Your songs have a lot of this tension as you move from slow parts to heavy riffs to solos to bubbling bass lines. What are the most important elements that make a WAGD song sound the way you want?

JH: Well, like I said before, dynamics are really important. Ultimately, we want the person listening to our songs to be moved somehow. I think about how certain songs do that to me. If I get that feeling from our stuff, I know it will probably translate to the listener. If a song doesn’t move us, it doesn’t make the cut. As far as instrumentation goes, we all work that out together. If I bring an idea to the guys, they will throw there parts out there, and that is what usually gives me more ideas and ultimately makes the song work.

Marchman: What are the cheesiest elements in heavy metal? Are any essential to a good album?

JH: That’s a crazy question…I am not really sure. There are so many types of heavy metal out there now, and they all have some cheesy elements. I think it is cheesy to do something just because it is cool at the moment. I fucking hate “nu-metal”. It is the new “hair metal” in my opinion. It’s al style over substance. Music has to come first. I mean, if you look at SABBATH, or ZEPPELIN, they really laid down the foundation of what metal/hard rock should be. But first and foremost, it started with good songs. So put away the fucking turntables please.

OFFICIAL SITE: www.wereallgonnadie.com