Hello from Chicago. A few thoughts to share, if you'll indulge. First, thanks to everyone who came out on this last tour. For me, that was the most exciting tour I've been on since before Jimmy left in 1996. I thought the band did a fantastic job, and I really appreciate the enthusiasm we saw towards what we were getting at. It seems like we have finally found what we have been looking for since we came back.

Secondly, I want to say openly that I am optimistic about a return to our site hosting a message board. What I would need to see is a constructive framework that would allow a whole host of thought and opinion in a positive way that brings fans together, and not further divide them. As you can see from the Media Militia writers, thoughtful opinion and criticism are welcome here.

Lastly, I would like to make a small declaration. For 20 years I have been asked 'what kind of music do you make?', and to be honest. I've never had a good answer. When I began playing seriously in 1985, there was no such thing as 'alternative music'. It was known then as 'new wave'. Alternative music seems to be the label that won, so I suppose that's what we get lumped in as. Once we were New Wave, then Post-Modern, then Grunge, and now just plain Alternative. And honestly, I've never liked any of those labels because it doesn't really cover what we do. In addition. Alternative Music has been hijacked by poseurs. No mystery there as to why.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I've found a label for our music that fits. And that is that we play 'American Gothic' music. Yes, I know that's the name of our e.p. that came out, but its not meant as a self serving self reference. I was attracted to the idea of an American Gothic movement musically because it embodies both the English ideal of gothic music and the decay of Americana. So that's us for now on. We play American Gothic music. Please use that label, its one I hope sticks :) blah blah