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  Derek:  First off thanks for taking the time to speak with us. We are a local website from the Boston area called HitThePit.com. Be sure to check it out sometime. So, what's up with all these Grammy nominations? Did you ever think that when Godsmack began you would get to this point in your career? What does it mean to you to be nominated for a Grammy?

 Robbie: A few days ago I was watching the news and thinking, "I can't wait until next year when the album comes out" because then we might have a chance at getting nominated. When we heard the news we were blown away, we didn't expect anything like this from the single. It's really exciting!!!

 Derek: Tell me about the pre-Grammy days of Godsmack. What was the Boston music scene like, and what were your thoughts as musician then in comparison to now?

 Robbie: That's a tough question because I haven't really been in the scene for that long. I know a lot of clubs we used to play have now closed down.   (Editor's Note: Not only are clubs in Boston shutting down, clubs are not opening their doors to unestablished acts. If you don't draw, you don't play....but that is a subject for another time)

 Derek: What is on tap for new music? Can you shed some light on the direction of the new material? And how does the process of creating music work within the band? Alot of times it is one person's vision, is that the case in Godsmack?

 Robbie: In order to focus all out attention on the new music, we locked ourselves in a rehearsal room in Miami. Lyrically speaking, it's mostly Sully's vision. He tells us what he's hearing and thinking and then the rest of us take it from there and flesh out the rest. For me I think we've really grown musically and Sully has grown lyrically; the harmonies are better and his voice is stronger. For the hard-core Godsmack fans it's still going to be Godsmack, but you're definitely going to know we've grown. Sonically, it's harder and bigger.

 Derek: What is the craziest, and most obscene story you can recall from the road? War stories are great and we would love to hear all the soup!  Robbie: The story that always sticks in my mind happened one time a few years ago when someone threw a prosthetic leg on stage. A half hour later the guy came up to the front of the stage and asked for his leg back!

 Derek: (laughs) Nice, I can see how that could stand out! Tell me about playing music. As a kid what drew you to playing bass, and today what drives you to continue to keep playing?

 Robbie: Growing up, my dad and uncle both played in a band and they were my idols for a long time. My dad got me to try all kinds of different genres. I laugh about it now, but I played in country western, reggae, and jazz bands. Today our music just drives, it's aggressive and energetic. I always think of my greatest influences for inspiration, which are Sting, John Paul Jones, and the legendary jazz bassist Jaco.

 Derek: (laughs) Who would of thunk it? (laughs) With huge success comes criticism. How does one go about ignoring the criticism and moving forward and writing the music that you want to write?

 Robbie: To me it really means we've arrived. We tend to keep a "Bring it on" attitude, we do what we do and there are always going to be people who like your work and people who don't. I sometimes get aggrivated if I don't understand where negative feedback is coming from. Usually you just have to laugh it off because we're just trying to entertain.

 Derek: What are some other heavier acts you and the rest of the guys have been digging of late?

 Robbie: Recently we've really been into Sevendust, who we just did a New Years show with, and Mudvayne.

 Derek: 2002 seemed like the year of the "side projects". Does Godsmack have anything cooking in that area, or could you see any members going that route?

 Robbie: Not really, we took our break and then put all our energies into the third record. I'm sure down the line a side project isn't out of the question.

 Derek: Last question! If you were lying on your death bed thinking of your band, what would be that one moment that you would think of as the defining moment for you and Godsmack?

 Robbie: I have two - The first is after our first guitar player left, and Sully and I made the decision to keep going. The second would be having Shannon in the band because his contributions really drive us.

 Derek: Thanks again for your time, and have a kick ass 2003 bro!

 Robbie: No problem, thank you!

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