Island: I have to say first off congratulations on Tanis taking the #1 spot on the active & mainstream independent rock charts this year. Not many bands can accomplish that feat so early in their careers. I've done quite a bit of reading about the band and found that many assume you’re a new band, but this is not the case because you've released 4 albums in all. Which brings me to my first question, since many fans are assuming this band is all new when did you form Lynam?

Jacob: We formed the band in March of 2001. I had just come off the road with my old band Mars Electric and I met David (drummer) at a bar in Birmingham. We were both there watching Mark's (bass) band.

Island: For fans such as myself that already have your previous releases "White Trash Superstar", "Bling! Bling" & "Life In Reverse", what does Slave To The Machine bring to the table for all the Lynam diehards/long time fans?

Jacob: "Slave To The Machine" is a straight ahead rock album that we're all really proud of. "White Trash Superstar" was the same kind of record, but the 2 albums prior to that were more pop oriented. We are into a lot of different things musically, so each album shows a lot of different influences.

Island: Were some of the tracks such as Tanis & Losing Venus re-recorded? And how did you decide which previous material would fit this release? I mentioned that you have 4 albums total, if you had to compare this new release to one of your previous which one would you choose?

Jacob: No, Those songs were not re recorded. "Tanis" was re-mixed for the album, but "Losing Venus" is the same. I would say that the new record is a lot like "White Trash Superstar".

Island: Considering "Bling! Bling!" & "Life In Reverse" were more on the Pop Rock side of things any chance you'll be tuning into that vibe on the next album?

Jacob: You never know. I never sit down and think about what kind of record to write, I just want them to all be good.

Island: Lynam's sound has that modern rock sound but also contains an 80's rock twist. How do you go about the process of writing new material? And are you already working on new material for another studio album?

Jacob: I write constantly, so yeah there's a lot of new stuff. I get song idea's all of the time, so I try to always have a notebook or computer around. There's not really a set process or formula to the way I write, like I said, I just want to make it good.

Island: This year fans of Cinderella & Poison were able to take in your music. I loved the fact that Lynam was able to open for such high profile bands from the Classic Rock era. How did you feel the tour went & is there a chance of another similar tour in the future?

David: I mean, we can only hope. I would think, for those type bands, it would be neat to see a direct protégé' of their music. So many people tell us our music sounds like those bands, I think a tour with them would get people who otherwise wouldn't be fired up about new music, fired up about us and maybe regenerate some love of new music that has that 80's sound like Buck Cherry, Hinder, the Darkness, bands that definitely share that fun sound. The few shows we did with them went great.
Island: Keeping on the touring side of things, you just finished your tour with Hinder & 18 Visions. I have to say that you guys have been with some big time bands this year. First with 2 huge classic rock bands and then to round it all out a tour with 2 up and coming rock bands. How did you feel about this tour, better then Cinderella/Poison? Or was it completely different as to say there's no way someone could compare the 2?

David: Uhm, I'd say the Hinder tour was way more fun to me. That's not to say the Cinderella/Poison shows aren't fun but ... the Hinder shows, those guys are friends for life. They took us under their wing and it was just fun to be a part of something so fun.

Island: Any plans on another huge tour next summer? (2007) Or is there some relax time coming for the Lynam boys?

David: We've got that brief run w/Paul Stanley through Texas in Feb but other than that, ya' never know. That's what's pretty exciting about our career is that you never know what's coming. We got the call for that Hinder tour about a month before. Pretty cool! We're always touring though. Whether it be mainly in the southeast where we're from or around the country or overseas. We never stop.

Island: I've been keeping up with the band through your MySpace page and I saw a mention of a possible live album. Have you had time to look into the recordings and start piecing things together for a possible release next year?

David: Actually we haven't had time to fool with it really. We want to. We could board record some shows and throw out some bootlegs which we've talked about doing but it's just been talk. Haven't been able to put anything into action.

Island: A scary thing happened back in August as fans know you were in a bad accident. There hasn’t been much talk about your recovery but considering the band has been out there on tour still going strong one would assume your doing fairly well. Any update to pass on to fans?

David: Well I'm not 100% but I'm back walking and going and doing. My drumming isn't impaired. My ankle's swollen which surprises me after all of this time. I'm not sure if it'll ever be the way it was before the wreck. I suspect that it won't. While out on the Hinder tour I was supposed to go get it rehabilitated a couple of times a week and I went once out in Tempe, AZ but it just became too hard to set up. I mean, everywhere I would call would be booked up and couldn't squeeze me in for the few hours I was in town or if I DID get an appt. booked I couldn't get a ride from the venue to the place. It just became too big of a hassle. So ... when this tour ends and the holidays are over I'm going to go get it checked out and see if I can do some rehab or if it's too late. I don't know. I'm not a doctor. I can walk around on it. I know that. Running I can't do but hobbling is something I've done a lot of when we're crossing roads. It's a running joke for everyone to cross a street when there's a car coming so as to see me hobble and everyone starts screaming, "C'mon hop-a-long, c'mon!"

Island: Like everyone else I’m sure you listen to other musicians and albums. What are some of your favorite CD's/Albums that you take on the road with you?

David: My favorite of all time is Wayne's Music on Plastic. Trust me folks, if ANY of you are reading this go online and search for this band's cd. They're a band out of our home town of Birmingham. They were briefly signed to TVT records and broke up shortly after their record was released. The cd, produced by our producer, Jason Elgin is the finest piece of work I've ever heard. Every song, front to back is unbelievable. I hate it that Wayne isn't a band anymore but such is life. I never get tired of listening to their cd. I share this passion with several other Birmingham musicians. Give it a listen and you'll see why.

Island: In an age where downloading music has become an everyday event some bands are fighting back and are actually lashing out at fans. What is your take on the whole "MP3" craze?

David: I don't know. I mean, when you're a baby band, the fact that people are downloading your music should be flattering. When you become successful enough to where stealing your music hurts you instead of exposing you to new audiences then it's a whole new ball game. But right now, we have people come up to us at shows and say, "I heard you were coming and I'd never heard of you so I downloaded your whole cd off of Limewire. LOL It's funny because they totally don't hear what they're saying to you. What a musician hears is "I heard you were coming so I went to my local music store and stole your cd." LOL

Island: To round out this interview I wanted to get your response to a not so easy question. I’ve asked many musicians this over the years. After a music fan is done listening to your albums or making his/her way home from one of your live concerts, what is the one thing you would like them to take away from the “Lynam” experience?

David: I want them to be left with wanting more. I don't care if we've played for 30 min. for 1 hr. or for 15hrs. I want when people walk away from our show for them to think, "You know what, I've got work tomorrow but they're playing 4 hrs. from here tomorrow night and I think I'm going to call in sick and go to it." We want to create an environment to where when the lights go out and we take the stage that all we see while we're playing are big, smiling faces.

Island: That is going to do it for our questions. Thanks so much for taking time out to talk with us. We look forward to hearing more great music from Lynam in the future. Any final thoughts, words of wisdom or anything you'd like to mention to our readers, your fans?