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How do you make sure no one plagiarizes your songs when you have them as demos, etc. ?

When we released 'States of Being' we had it copyrighted. We filled out the registration forms and sent two copies to the Library of Congress. They then sent us the copyright certificates. As far as demos go, what most people do is send a copy of the demo to themselves and then leave it unopened (AKA the poor man's copyright). But from what I have heard, no court will actually uphold that as an actual copyright. Other than that, since they are just demos they shouldn't be circulated that much. When you demo something, you are just making sure the arrangement is good and that it is ready to be recorded for real. After you have a real recording of the song, then you can get a real copyright.

Wow that is really interesting. I didn't know that.

Good call on the demo policy. Really only show bandmates or close friends that you know wouldn't copy it.

Another good solution is play something so fast and complex that no one can play it!

Yep. What J said. And Matt. More on the podcast..

(for Dale and/or Justin) How were you able to support yourselves while still dedicating yourselves to your band?

(for all)What are your thoughts on faux-metal bands like "Avenged Sevenfold", "Bullet For My Valentine", and "Black Tide"? Personally, I hate them and think we need another thrash-uprising to kill these idiots' music.

I work full-time as a guitarist for hire. I do contract music work for churches, and I DJ private parties, and I even give lessons on occaision. I also do Studio work, engineering or recording guitars on other ppl's records. I've even done some corporate composing. Worst gig ever: composing music for a butterfly to dance to.

As far as faux-metal goes, I approach every band on a case-to-case basis. Avenged Sevenfold, for example, I like. Tried not to, but they write very catchy music and are very competent instrumentalists. I think overall, that if there's more heavy music available in the marketplace, or on the radio, the more people are going to be accepting of my music. Good for the goose, good for the gander, y'know?

We DO need better music in the mainstream, don't get me wrong, but I'd rather hear Avenged on the radio than Godsmack, or Sevendust. The worst thing happening to the chicago scene is Q101 right now, since they are the closest thing to a mainstream outlet for new heavy music that we have. They play WAY too much 90's grunge. and that really pulls attention away to any emerging bands that aren't already platinum artists. They're supposed to be the 'new rock alternative' but instead they've become the 'retro sounds of the 90's' all day long, all day strong.

I agree that the state of radio is poor. I stopped listening to it long ago. I usually only listen to "The Loop" for my radio needs.

I think they have the right idea musically, because they do write some good songs with some heavy riffs, but they were marketed to an Emo market and they got big. They arent gonna change one day to a thrash metal band overnight and screw themselves financially.

When that fad dies out so will they. Grunge is coming back next. Look where fashion is currently. we are back in the 80's. Next people will be wearing flannels and Nirvana will be cool again. They are just fad bands, like most glam-rock!

I used to get mad about those lame bands and think there needs to be a metal uprising, but then i realized once the mainstream gets a hold of a band they change and die. The less people know about a metal band usually is better. Their lack of popularity makes them write songs that matter and they believe in, not writting a song just to cash in on their current popularity.

The following bands were rather unknown at first and made great music, then they hit a certain point of popularity and it went downhill.
Examples: In Flames after Clayman got progressivly worse.
Children of Bodom started getting real bad after Hate Crew Deathroll(some may say Follow The Reaper).
Metallica obvioulsy after the Black album, or if you are Justin, the Justice Album.
Megadeth's Risk cd... Also the new version of A Tout Le Monde is just wrong!
I'll even include Iced Earth in this, just after Horror Show things started to slip. I loved The Glorious Burden, but it was no horror show or Something Wicked.

Thrash is good but it gets old fast. Eventually you will get bored with 200bpm songs with the same rhythm for 3-5 min. Eventually you need some harmonies and dramatic interludes without getting too corny. Thrash bands like Exodus and Destruction eventually end up sounding the same. If you listen to the CDs, eventually you lose track of what song you are listening to and it ends up being one 48min song.

Thats where i give those bands some credit that they are trying to be heavy but also have some harmonies to their music, but no i dont listen to them.

I see it as something completely different. Right now, these emo and metalcore bands are glam. They wear makeup, rediculous tight clothes, and call themselves a subgenre of "metal." There are a lot of highschool kids now who hate it, and will soon be out and able to make their own name. They want something heavy and unadulterated. The Metalcore and emo scene are taking away from that once true glory of metal (Like Black sabbath back in the early 80s, except now it's bands like CoB, and Death). Metal will come back, and then be killed by grunge

Lol I feel the same way sometimes. I think you hit it on the head in a way. There's this cycle of music that I've seen over and over again, where it's pop then metal then glam then grunge then hippie then pop. Happens all the time, along with the 20 year gap that defines "retro".

What do you think of Sword? They totally remind me of Sabbath.

Haven't heard of sword, gotta look 'em up. I should be doing something productive on my day home sick, but I've just been coming here and looking at BC Riches and Jacksons (Damn you GAS! ).

Yeah, Sword is pretty dope. Saw them a couple years ago with In Flames,I think... BC Riches are more pretty than playable. I like them, but there are many more practical Jacksons, so weep for those.

Dear Dale,

Is it true that you are my BFF? ^_^<3

Of course I am!

I KNEW IT!!!

OUR FRIENDSHIP PWNS!!!!!!!!!!!!

From now on, please post all of your band related questions in here and they will be answered in future podcast episodes.

Remember, there are no stupid questions... Ok Ric might make fun of it, but that's his job.

Please feel free to post any questions you have about the band here.

What bands influenced you music the most? On the same topic, what were your influences in gear, tone, and fasion style.?

we'll do all the questions on the next Radio Free

Even my question?

For Dale: How was the transition from playing a six string guitar to a seven string? (I'm assuming you learned on a six string)

We are doing a Radio Free SoB tonight.

Any questions posted today will be answered tonight.

QUICK THINK OF SOMETHING!!!!

Okay, this is kind of a two part question. First, knowing that you guys program all your own drums and synths, how do you go about composing a song? I mean, you don't have a drummer or a keyboard player to play off of, and / or write the parts for you. How do you put your creative vision in a tangable form? *PLEASE NOTE: I am not using the term "creative vision" in any negative context!!!

Okay, second part- what inspires you to write such involved musical stories like the one featured in Songs About Angels? I mean, it really is a story if epic proportions. You could easily turn it into a rock opera, and hit Broadway. How do you come up with the stories told in Songs About Angels, and in any of your songs?

Thanks!!!! From, Hush

Dale and Justin, rate your top 5 guitarists/basists of ALL TIME!!!

I have one simple question for the guys from something beautiful. you guys looking forward to the ye olde town inn show on march 19th?

I'm looking forward to it. it's gonna be a spectacular show.