Band: The Suicide Machines
Label: Sideonedummy Records
Official Site: Click here
Date: December 20, 2003
Conducted by: DJ Booker

TMF DJ: You guys have done a lot of traveling internationally, what are some of the things you’d like to see done differently in the United States based on the things you’ve seen internationally?
SM Jay: Well I know the healthcare system wouldn’t be as good as it is now in the United States if we had a full healthcare program, but one of the things that I’ve seen done in other countries is privatization of healthcare. We’re one of the few countries that doesn’t have it. TMF DJ: Right
SM Jay: When I was real little I always had wanted to get into the medical field. I understand the consequences of private healthcare, but I also understand that it can work. I’ve seen it work.

TMF DJ: How much do you think your music has changed since you changed up your lineup so much?
SM Jay: I’d say we just released my favorite album. I honestly don’t care what anyone says.
TMF DJ: So it has gotten better then?
SM Jay: Yeah I think it’s gotten a little more fun and bouncy, yet it’s become a lot more serious for me as a lyric writer. And a little bit...The pop stuff is really popping the top, the aggressive stuff is really aggressive. I’m very comfortable where we are now, but I’d also like to see if we could take it to the next level.

TMF DJ: Why did you replace your drummer and bassist so much?
SM Jay: Well we did replace a whole crapload of drummers, but we only replaced two bassists. Wait, actually three bassists. The last one, you know, Rich, no not Rich, he quit, it was Royce. Royce did not get along with me or the rest of the band, unfortunately. What we really wanted to do is play what we wanted to do for Matches and Gasoline. We were tryin to do that for Steal This Record, but Royce wanted to write all this pop stuff like on the third album, and we were like not having it, and he was getting all frustrated, so he was just like, "I’m outta here." We were just like, “See you man, no hard feelings”. I like Royce, he’s a good guy, I like Derek too. I like all the drummers. There wasn’t really anyone I didn’t like. Derek didn’t want to be in the videos, didn’t wanna be on the radio..
TMF DJ: Didn’t like that music?
SM Jay: Yeah, yeah, well he just didn’t want to be part of that whole scene, he wanted to be like underground punk. You know, the band got so big, and it scared him a lot, and it scared him away, thats why he quit. We’ve had a multitude of people come and go in this band to be honest with you. You know what I mean, they were all good dudes. They all had their own reasons for leaving. One guy couldn’t cut it, couldn’t play the kind of music that we were playing.
TMF DJ: So it's all basically their own choice to get out?
SM Jay: Yeah everyone except that one guy that we had to kick out because he couldn’t cut it, everyone else left on their own choice. But you know what are you gonna do
TMF DJ: Yeah not much, can’t force them to stay.

TMF DJ: Now you guys are from Detroit, where’d you get the punk and ska sound from? that’s not too popular around that area.
SM Jay: Bad Brains. I knew Bad Brains since I was little, you know. It started with Bad Brains, and a couple years later I found Poison Ivy, then Fishbone, and moved on with that.
TMF DJ: Do you feel pressured to live up to people like Eminem, since they’re from your area?
SM Jay: Nah, I don’t care. I don’t care. And you know, I think it’s funny that Jack White gets in a fist fight with Jason Von Bondie, and they have to put it on fucking CNN. I mean leave him alone, a guy can’t get in a fist fight without it being on god damn CNN. I’m kind of glad that we’re on the underground in Detroit, and I’d like to keep it that way. I’m happy there. Oh yeah and you can tell Kid Rock I’m pissed off that he didn’t show up tonight that piece of shit. Let him know.
TMF DJ: (laughs) Ok.
SM Jay: Yeah I’m pissed off at him. But anyway...
(Some guy interrupts and talks to SM Jay for a while then leaves)

TMF DJ: How was the transition from Hollywood records to Sideonedummy records?
SM Jay: Oh it was a nightmare.
TMF DJ: Was it? Why’s that?
SM Jay: I mean it was really cool they let us go, but we didn’t even wanna put out Steal This Record on Hollywood records, we had no choice of the tracks, and obviously you saw what happened to that record, no one even knows it’s out. But you know, Sideonedummy’s all good.

TMF DJ: For fans who don’t read the message board, could you share more info on this DVD you’re making?
SM Jay: We just wanted to film it in Detroit, cause well it’s Detroit.
TMF DJ: Yeah it's where you're from.
SM Jay: Yeah, we're gonna have a lot of other weird stuff on it too. We just wanted to make a DVD cause you know, why not? It’ll just be a bunch of mish-mash, junk. It’ll be out this summer.
TMF DJ: What do you guys feel is the greatest thing you could accomplish as a band? Like what’s your ultimate dream?
SM Jay: When I can run for governer like Jack did. Or better yet, I’ll think a little bigger. When I can run for fucking president, cause nowadays it doesn’t even matter if I have felonies or not. I’m thinking big.
TMF DJ: (laughs) Right, all you gotta be is famous.
SM Jay: Ha yeah I don’t know about that whole Arnie thing but you know whatever.

TMF DJ: What does “Don’t Break the Glass” mean?
SM Jay: Well it’s about your reactions with other people. It’s about people who don’t agree, and it’s also about friendship. It’s like, it doesn’t matter if your opinions are different from each other, you can still be friends- like so be it hardcore kids, so be it punk kids, so be it anyone.

TMF DJ: What’s next after your European tour?
SM Jay: European tour, Us tour, new record, don’t know much after that.

TMF DJ: If you had to, like if it was a life or death situation, would you pass in a no passing zone?
SM Jay: Hahaha yeah, you don’t even know man. I’m fuckin..
TMF DJ: A rebel?
SM Jay: If you knew what I’ve done and got away with...one of the guys I was with that I was supposed to be selling merchandise with, he was the last guy I stole a car with.
TMF DJ: (laughs)

TMF DJ: Well, my last question is a christmas one, since it’s christmas and all. What’s the best christmas present you’ve ever gotten?
SM Jay: Last year I had my daughter. That was the best christmas present I’ve ever had.
TMF DJ: Oh wow, congratulations.
SM Jay: Yeah, thanks.
TMF DJ: Ok well thanks for the time man.
SM Jay: Yeah no problem.