MUEN: WE FIRST FOUND OUT ABOUT YOU WHEN A FAN OF YOURS CAME ONTO OUR COMMENTS RAVING ABOUT YOU GUYS, AND IT DIDN'T TAKE US LONG TO APPRECIATE ALL HER ENTHUSIASM.. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A BAND, WHEN DID YOU COME TO L.A./HOLLYWOOD, AND WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: We just celebrated our five year anniversary November of 2007. I went to Los Angeles eight years ago and am originally from Atlanta Georgia. Matt James is from southern California. Tommy Bagels hails from New Jersey and Jimbo Easteregg is from Indiana.

MUEN: PROGRAM THE DEAD IS A FANTASTIC NAME! WE THINK WE GOT IT INSTANTLY, BUT WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT GET IT AT FIRST, WHAT THE NAME IS SUPPOSED TO MEAN?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: Program the Dead has layers of intentions and the name implies that as well. Primarily it is a social commentary on the conforming masses and the general apathy that is permeating the psyche of humanity. It also rolls off the tongue quite well. Tastes great too!!!

MUEN: WHO DOES MOST OF THE INITIAL SONGWRITING IN THE BAND?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: We like to steal notes, melodies and vibes from the universe. That is the only crime we'll commit. Our songs are an extension of our collective unconscious.

MUEN: FROM THE SOUND OF YOUR MUSIC, IT WOULD SEEM THAT YOUR INFLUENCES WOULD BE PRETTY WIDE SPREAD, FOR INSTANCE, "THE BEATLES" TO "THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS" IS THIS RIGHT, AND WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR OTHER FAVORITE BANDS WHETHER THEY BE OLD OR NEW?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: We are influenced by folks whose music is rooted in truth. If it is real, it probably has inspired us.

MUEN: WE LOVE THE MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE RIFF IN "REDUCTIONIST" ... WHAT IS REDUCTIONIST ABOUT?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: Thank you. My blood has roots in Greece, which is kind of the navel of Eastern and Western culture. I love the haunting sounds of middle eastern, southern and eastern European music. The song's lyrical content comes from Matt's fascination with Carl Jung who blended psychological reductionism with gnostic spirituality.

MUEN: TELL US ABOUT THE ALBUM 'GINGER,' HOW DID YOU GET WILLIAM DUVALL (Alice In Chains/ Comes With The Fall) TO PRODUCE, AND WHAT DOES THE ALBUM OFFER IN YOUR OPINON?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: I pushed him out of the way of a fast approaching city bus. He owes me one.

MUEN: WHEN WILL THE EP 'BRICKS & STICKS' BE RELEASED, HOW MANY SONGS ARE ON IT, AND HOW SOON DO YOU EXPECT TO HAVE THE FULL-LENGTH OUT FOR 2008?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: Sticks and Bricks is available as a free download on the net. It was our way of showing gratitude to all those whom have supported us along the way. It was also a celebratory release commemorating our five year anniversary.

MUEN: WE HEARD YOUR LIVE SHOWS ARE GREAT! WHY IS THIS, AND DO YOU PREFER PLAYING LIVE MORE THAN WRITING AND RECORDING?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: That is cool to hear. We love playing live. It is a very physical show and we really throw it all on the line every night. Matt James is one of the most enigmatic performers going and it is fun as hell being on the same stage with that guy. You never know what is going to happen when he gets going.

MUEN: WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR BEST SHOWS, THAT YOU CAN REMEMBER?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: The Warfield in San Francisco opening for HIM. Sold out and lots of love thrown our way. Recently the shows that we've been playing have been full on liberation.

MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE BEING A BAND IN THE L.A. AREA.. WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS IN YOUR OPINION?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: Los Angeles is filled with the ghosts of a million broken hearts and a million dreams granted. There is a lot to pull from in both directions.

MUEN: HOW OFTEN DOES THE BAND GET TOGETHER FOR REHEARSALS, AND WHAT DO YOU DO ON YOUR TIME AWAY FROM THE MUSIC?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: We play together all the time. Even out of the rehearsal space, we are always strumming and writing. As far as time away from music, we love to play pool, make jokes and do mathematics.

MUEN: WAS "GUNS AND BUTTER" WRITTEN FROM AN ACTUAL EXPERIENCE, OR DO YOU GUYS JUST MAKE THIS STUFF UP?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: Yes, it was a personal experience of Matt James'. The lyrics spell it all out.

MUEN: WHAT VENUES ARE YOU PLAYING MOST OFTEN IN THE L.A./HOLLYWOOD AREA?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: Whisky a GoGo

MUEN: ARE THERE ANY RADIO STATIONS YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION, THAT HAVE PLAYED SONGS BY 'PROGRAM THE DEAD?'

PROGRAM THE DEAD: The Buzz in Nashville TN and a grip of college and satellite radio stations.

MUEN: "GINGER" IS A GREAT SONG AS WELL.. WHAT TYPE OF RESPONSE DID YOU GET, WHEN THAT SONG WAS FIRST UNLEASHED, AND DO YOU EVER HAVE GUEST MUSICIANS ON ANY OF YOUR SONGS?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Yes, we have had William DuVall rip lead guitar alongside me during the end of 'Ginger'.

MUEN: AFTER VISITING YOUR BLOG, ALL THE TEXT ON OUR BROWSER WAS REDUCED TO AN UNREADABLE SIZE, EVERYWHERE WE WENT AFTERWARDS... DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT ON THIS?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: ? I guess I'll look into that.

MUEN: IS THERE ANY OTHER NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION, THAT WE MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: We are putting out a live record in 2008 alongside a new full length.

MUEN: HOW WAS THE SHOW IN OUTTER SPACE?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: We have not played that one yet. Really looking forward to eating the local cuisine.

MUEN: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR FANS?

PROGRAM THE DEAD: I love you guys. I want to lick your face.

Interview by G. Cataline