Email interview with Inhale Exhale lead guitarist, John Larussa
December 31, 2006
 
www.myspace.com/inhaleexhale

Inhale/ Exhale is as straightforward as breathing itself. The Lost, The Sick, The Sacred, the Ohio band’s Solid State debut, is refreshing in equal measure for its love of heavy diverse music as it is the depth to which it mines classic rock. Imagine the Southern-fried sludge of Down merging with the post-hardcore angst of Refused and the snake-boogie of Velvet Revolver. Add to that formula the gutter growl of Soilwork, the song-craft of Killswitch Engage and the diversity and depth of feeling of Thrice and you might start to get the right idea.
“We have our own style of rock.” States Larussa, echoing a sentiment shared by singer Ryland Raus, bass player Brian Pitman and drummer Bobby Poole. “We feel that it’s structured well, and that it brings people in. We want someone to pop our disc in on the way to work if they need to hear something that will lift them up, and at the same time hear something with passion and raw energy.” (bio)

Dennis: You guys are just coming off the road with a 21 show tour with Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Twelve Gauge Valentine and Lynam. How was the tour and what was your most memorable experience?
John: The tour was great, it did a lot for us, and we clicked very well with the Maylene guys.  I would narrow it down to two memorable experiences.  The first one was at the sold out Orlando show where a kid shattered his knee during our set.  Although we were happy to see the crowd response there, it was heartbreaking for us that the dude busted his knee up, he was in some extreme pain, they had to gas him because he was in so much pain.  We hooked him up with some merch, but I don't know if that helped at all. 
The other experience would have to be going to Universal Studios on our day off, I sat between Ryland (IE vocalist) and Roman (Maylene) on the Spider Man ride.  It was their first time and they were like bouncing kids going nuts during it.  It was a good time.

 Dennis: Your debut album "The Lost. The Sick. The Sacred." has only been out a little over a month. What has been the most complimentary things you have hear or read and also what has been the most disappointing?John: I would have to say the comments and emails about the music encouraging people, or just the fans loving the disc.  Not too many disappointments here, sometimes people think they know what the songs are about and make dumb statements, we haven't had many, but sometimes people just don't know what they are talking about.  Over all its been a great response, its all about the fans.  We are gaining some great fans.

Dennis: I have read in your bio the concept behind the title of your album.  There is a lot of depth within the title and also within the lyrics of the album. What song has had the most impact for you personally?
John: I would say "A Rose Among The Ashes".  It deals with past discord between friends.  I've been hurt by people in the past and sometimes its hard to forgive them, and as much as there is room for hate, you remember the good times you had, but I guess that is what makes the situation so hard.  Forgiving someone sets you free of turning the situation into bitterness.  Eventually you end up only hurting yourself.  I think that's what I did for a while.  Its hard to be the one to apologize just to make peace, and then get slapped in the face for it.  Their are some people out their that don't want to be happy in any situation.  That's when you just have to move on.  Our vocalist Ryland went through that same thing. 

Dennis: As an upcoming force on Solidstate, what makes Inhale Exhale any different from other metal acts on the label?
John: I feel we have our own style of rock and metal.  We will always try to make the next record we do better, we will always evolve.  I think the label has some good bands on there though.  I don't think we sound like any of them.  But it is a heavy band type of label.

Dennis: You guys seem to be very open with talking about your faith in interviews I have read and even the one a writer for us did with you guys at Icthus. Why do you feel it is so important for others to know about your faith?
John: I think it’s important because its who we are, it doesn't change when we come home from tour or when we are spending time with friends.  I don't come home and take a break from what I believe.  I do think music is music, I have been encouraged by faith driven music and non-faith driven music.  But this is what makes us as people.  And even though we our not a preachy band, it comes natural for us to express it.

Dennis: What is success?
John: Happiness, peace.  To sit and know you’re where you want to be in life at that moment.  Also I believe there is success in helping people.  Sometimes I don't know if I'm good at it.  But I know I try to make an effort.  And I think it in some way makes the world a better place.

Dennis: Could you tell us a time in life that you could not have survived without your faith in Jesus?
John: After my brother died, I was a confused kid.  It rocked my family.  I turned cold eventually and turned to things that I thought could fill the void.  I had a really good friend die in a car accident that always talked to me about God, and that sort of woke me up and caused me to think about what I was doing with my life, a year or so later, I asked Jesus to give me a touch from heaven.  And he did.  I never put my faith in anything else, not the church, not people.  I always remember the scripture that says "I put my trust in God alone."  That's a short version I guess.  But I think I would of eventually killed myself in some way.  Not necessarily suicide but in some way.  I didn't care if I lived or died.

Dennis: There is an incredible musical variety within your debut album. Have their been any creative differences within the member, if so, how do you resolve those?
John: There are always creative differences.  But I think we all have an understanding of what we are trying to do musically with this band.  It helps that we don't write together.  We are always in Pre-production.  Recording on our own.  I record at my house and when I'm done with a group of songs, I bring them to the table.  We always listen together after the song is recorded and talk it over.  I have a hand full written so far for the next record.  We all trust each other though.

Dennis: When on the road, what do you miss the most?
John: I miss my family, I’m married and I have a son.  It’s very hard to be away from them.  That and I miss my own bed.

Dennis: If Inhale Exhale were ending tomorrow, who would you hope to share the stage with for your final show?J
John: Metallica, they started a lot of the heavy music we all listen to.  I think most of the bands in the late 80's/early 90's got their sound from them, and it continues today, those early records effected the music industry in a big way.  That's just marketing wise though.  It would be cool to play with Billy Joel too, or Prince I guess.

Check out our review of Inhale Exhale's debut album!