'A New Appetite For Destruction!'

Powerman 5000 are currently criss-crossing the U.S. in support of their recently released Destroy What You Enjoy album - out now on DRT Entertainment, their first for the label.

The current line-up includes Spider One, drummer Adrian Ost, bassist Siggy Siursen, and guitarists Terry Corso (formerly with Alien Ant Farm) and Johnny Rock (formerly with Half-Cocked, the first band Spider One signed to his Megatronic Records when it was being distributed with DreamWorks Records).

With a new label and a new line-up, 'DESTROY WHAT YOU ENJOY' promises to be the most exciting Powerman 5000 release to date. The album was produced by Mudrock (Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack), who also co-produced the band’s major label debut, 'MEGA!! KUNG FU RADIO,' and was recorded at the Hobby Shop in Eagle Rock, CA. The album was mixed by Dave Schiffman (Audioslave, Johnny Cash, System of a Down).

The album’s first single, “Wild World,” took radio by storm making it the #6 Most Added track at Active Rock radio its first week out according to Radio & Records, beating out new songs by AFI, Crossfade and Lamb of God.

It's great that you (Spider) started as an indie band in Boston. Describe to me what is was like (how it felt) going from playing gigs to touring nationwide "You learn a lot fast. Touring can turn a good live band into a great live band. Also, I've been fortunate to have toured with some of the best. Pantera, Metallica, Ozzy, Manson... the list goes on."

How do band dynamics have to change during a shift like that? What kind of changes had to be made? Was the lineup change part of that or something different? "Some people can't take the heavy touring schedule. I think we've lost a couple of members in the past to that pressure."

When you signed with DreamWorks was there a collision with creative control over the group? Did DreamWorks want to shape you into something you didn't want to be? Or was your goal just to become famous so it didn't really matter? "There was never any issue with creative control. We've always done whatever we wanted, whether it concerned image, artwork or music."

If you had your choice, would stay an indie band or would you like to remain in the spotlight forever? Why? "I try not to think of things in those terms. Major success is of course always welcome, but most of the time that is beyond your control. So really it's just about being a good band and working hard on the road and if you can make a living, that's success."

The band also ended up changing its sound a little bit with the new line-up. Was that a result of the new people or was it a way or reinventing yourselves to the public? "Both. New members are going to bring their own style to the music and I would never stop them from doing that. As far as reinventing, I suppose we did that a bit ... it's more about experimenting and growing."

What was your ultimate goal for creating PM5K from the beginning and would you say you have achieved that goal? "In the beginning there were no real goals beyond trying to write some songs and maybe play a gig or two. So looking back I would say that we have far surpassed any goals... Radio, MTV, platinum record and touring all over the world were things that I could have never imagined doing."

For the newer members, what was it like being asked to join, or joining PM5K? What have you heard about the band before? Was it what you expected? Better or worse? "Wait until the end of touring for this record ... then I will ask them."

After DreamWorks dissolved, what label are you on now, if any at all? Are you going indie again? "We are signed to DRT Entertainment and yes, they are an indie."

The standard question: What do you love most about performing? "The energy and the uncertainty. Anything can happen when you are performing ... good or bad."

Where are you guys planning on going from here? "More touring in 2007 - the US and Overseas, and then start writing new songs."

Finally, Exclusive Magazine love Penguins ... do you?! "Uhhh, sure!"

Interviewed by Brian J. Hong

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Powerman 5000's new CD, just answer this easy question: What was the name of the recent annual festival the band played in Worcester, MA?!

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before December 1st with your answer and the subject title 'CONTEST: POWERMAN 5000 SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net