A sonic soundscape of heaviness enshrouds the mysterious Tarantula Hawk.A new forefront has arrived in the progressive side of musick.With ex members of Struggle and the Locust.They have become a prog/hardcore hybrid beast.

Q: The obligatory question: who is involved with Tarantula Hawk and how long has it been going on?

A: Tarantula Hawk is Dave Warshaw, Dylan Scharf and Braden Diotte (me). Rob Morrison played on our first album, as well. Kevin Ross handles the live visuals, and all visuals for that matter.

Q: Why the name Tarantula Hawk?

A: I liked it better than DEATH ORCHESTRA 2000, which is the direction we were leaning after a few practices. Our friend Cameron made a list of good band names that had been hanging on Dylans moms refrigerator long before the band Tarantula Hawk was even a twinkle in our dads eyes. The name "TARANTULA HAWK" was on that list.

Q: What can we expect from the new album (compared to the masterpiece that was the first one) and when's it due?

A: The new album is scheduled for release on NOV. 26th, 2002. This album differs from the first in several different ways. The first album was the combination of four individuals ideas clashing together to create a band. We had no idea what we were setting out to accomplish, and what the result would be like. The songs on that album were written chronologically over a very short period of time, and were recorded shortly thereafter since Rob was moving back to Seattle to raise his son Winslow. This newest record is different in the sense that we had to go from being a four-piece band to a three-piece band without losing any magnitude. While we were able to play several of the songs from the first album live as a three-piece, some didnt jibe at all. So we starting writing new material that accomodated us better, while making an attempt at not rewriting the same record. Basically over the past 2.5 years since the last recording we've written an albums worth of songs that we will never use for anything, and then this new album, which is the fruit of our labor over that time. Its been a lot harder this time around, and we've almost broken up a bunch of times since then. I'm still not totally sure why we havent, though.

Q: How's working with Neurot been and how do you feel about playing the Beyond the Pale festival with so many great bands?

A: Working with Neurot has been swell so far, although we only recently actually started working with them. The offer for this record was made back in 2000, but its taken us this long to get our shit together. I guess I can say that we appreciate the level of patience that has been exhibited by the label, and the words of encouragement to get the ball rolling when shit started to stagnate. We're very exited about the Beyond The Pale festival, and the bands we are playing with. In fact I'd say that it was the single biggest motivation that we had for getting this record done this year.

Q: How do you feel about being considered a "prog" band? i've heard everyone from hardcore kids to prog purists sing the praises of your first album- in your experience, how's the reaction been both from underground heavy music fans and progressive rock fans (considering both sets are usually very picky)?

A: None of us are bothered by "prog" and being a "prog band" . We all like prog-rock (in all of it forms). I think its a big part of the collective intention that we had when getting started. But we all come from hardcore backgrounds, so its going to be heavy, too. I'm glad that fans of different types of music can find a common ground over our band. The reaction that I deal with the most usually has to do with the underground scene, but I've found praise from prog-fans as well. So far, though, most of the shows we end up playing are hardcore shows or whatever. We havent really been invited into the prog scene to play shows. Hopefully as we gain a bigger fanbase we can play shows that will attract all types of people.

Q: Give us a little insight into your songwriting style: is it improv that eventually works itself into a song or mostly written beforehand?

A: Its actually a little of both. We jam out on stuff a lot and can easily write a whole half of a song based around a few little changes to a basic idea. Do this enough and then orchestrate them together and you have a song. But then theres the parts that somebody will bring to practice with them that we all work on. Sometimes its harder that way, though.

Q: What influences Tarantula Hawk (bands, etc)?

A: I think most of our influences are subconscious. We dont set out to play any style or sound like any band. If one of us really likes a part in one particular song that was written by another band and brings something similar to practice with them, its very often accidental. And even if its not, by the time the other members get through with it, its usually got none of the original concept left. It can be frustruating if you really want to hear something come out a certain way, but more importantly I think its what keeps us original.

Q: What are your feelings on music (ie, could Tarantula Hawk be considered a spiritual/magickal vehicle for those involved?):

A: I know that music is a very important factor in all of our lives. We've always been into it and played it and I imagine that we always will. It may not always be Tarantula Hawk, and Tarantula Hawk my not even always sound like Tarantula Hawk, but as long as we can tolerate playing music together I think that this band will always be a representation of the amalgamation of where we are at in our musical journeys.

Q: What's the plan for you guys following the next release? touring maybe?

A: Actually we've only got a short but sweet west coast tour planned for this release. Two of us are in school and we all have full-time jobs. The tours will happen, but theyre just spread out. I think people would get sick of us if we toured too much, anyways. I'd like to do the east coast and Europe. Hopefully we can get some more festival shows, as they lend themselves to our situations a lot better. Other than that I'm just thinking about the next record.

Q: Anything you'd like to push on other people (bands, books, films, what not)?

A: YETI

Q: Any final thoughts?

A: Yeah.... I just thought about how my rice is probably done cooking and how I'd better finish up this interview before it starts sticking to bottom of the pan. Thanks!

Tarantula Hawk's Official Web Site