antiMusic: So how did the group form and where did the idea come from?

Ringo: This is sort of a tuff one to answer... The group formed on it's own in a way... out of need for it. The idea came from Krk (former guitar player) and Jaymz. He was listening to the Beatles "For No One" and thought it would cool if it was played in a metal style. He and Jaymz were also in band at the time that were portraying Metallica at a local event in Milwaukee called Spoofest. They got the idea to record some ruff demos of what it would sound like if Metallica would do Beatles songs (sort of like the garage days eps) and pass them out as party favors at the show. About a year later Jaymz gets a phone call from Dave Dixon (former webmaster) informing him that he has stared a web site (from the original demo tapes) and it's getting hits from all over the world. Soon after show offers started coming in and there lies the need for a live performing band. I was in another band with Krk, and along with another local musician to fill the bass role, the live Beatallica unit was formed. We had our first show a few weeks later in El Paso Texas.

antiMusic: Do you guys have a set process on how you put the songs together? Or did it just "Come Together" organically?

Ringo: There really is no formula or mold that we use or follow. What works for transforming some songs may not work for others. It's trial and error... we can't just take two random songs and mash them together. Some songs are born from a lyrical idea where as some songs come from a musical idea. It's a matter of finding the magical points within the songs and integrating them into one. I guess its sort of a controlled, random, chaotic and organized style all wrapped into one.

antiMusic: You guys had some legal issues with Sony in the past. Lars then went on record supporting what you guys are doing, so can you tell us what happened and how it was resolved?

Ringo: Our webmaster at the time received a cease and desist order from Sony basically saying that we needed to shut down our web site due to some possible copyright infringement issues. After that happened we started getting mail and reaction from pretty much everyone... one of those people being Lars and the Metallica legal team. They were willing to step in and give us a much need helping hand. After some coordinated efforts from them, and many other people, we came to a point where we were able to get our site back up and continue with what were doing. It was really a matter of making sure we were doing things with respect to all parties involved. We have always done this in a way that we pay homage to both bands and it was just really an issue of making sure that would be the template for the future.

antiMusic: Have you ever heard any feedback from anyone in the Beatles camp?

Ringo: We haven't gotten any response from the remaining Beatles... I'm sure they are pretty busy.. it would be nice to hear what they think of it though.

antiMusic: You guys started out using the Net to your full advantage. Do you think the Internet is good overall for new bands or is it hurting bands?

Ringo: I think the net has become the most powerful tool for any band out there. The trick is know how to use it your advantage. You have to learn to adapt to the changes and learn how best to use it for your own particular needs. We are still leaning what it takes to use it to its fullest as well. Its like any other "new" outlet available to a band... it can be harmful if you don't respect the power it can have. It's also an issue with fans who support the bands they listen. It's one thing to get a song or two from the web for free and then show support by going to a show or buying a shirt. It's another thing if some just goes online and gets all the music for free and that's the extent of their support. There needs to be a balance... and I'm not really sure if the industry or, anyone for that matter, has adjusted to this "Net" issue yet.

antiMusic: How did the deal with Oglio come about and how has it been so far?

Ringo: We had been fielding offers from others labels for some time. Most of them wanted us to change things like lyrics or certain aspects of the music that went completely against what the spirit of the project. When we were approached by Oglio, they were the only ones willing to take the steps that were needed to keep the integrity of the songs as they were created. It's been a long process but we beleive it was worth the time and effort.

antiMusic: Now we get to the Inside Track where we ask you to tell us a little bit about each track on the CD. Could be a story about the recording, how you came up with it etc. anything you'd like people to know about the song.

1. Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band: A great opener... basically a heavy version of the orginal... This is Jaymz Lennfield at his finest.... great bashed-up lyrics on this one.... and enough "oohs" to give Hetfield a run for his money.

2. Revol-ooh-tion: As Jaymz likes to say,"this is our barn burner"..... and I agree. It's up-tempo... and the pace doesn't relent. Nice blazing guitar solo... a little harmony guitar break mid-way... what more do you need.

3. Blackened In The U.S.S.R.: This is actully another one that I like a lot... it's got some cool little double-bass licks in it... for me, it's a fun one to play live. This one almost borders on being being more Metallica in some ways.

4. Sandman: This is pure bash-up at its best... the lines between the Beatles and Metallica are very blured in my opinion.

5. Helvester of Skelter: My personal favorite. It's a great live song and a great recorded one. Here again, the lines between the Beatles riffs and the Metallica riffs are very blury. Helter Skelter is a heavy song to begin with..... so why not add some Metallica to it and make it twice as heavy.

6. A Garage Dayz Nite: Just a great rocking tune. Fast, heavy, a lot of fun live... definitely a good sing along for the true Beatalli-banger

7. Anesthesia (I'm Only Sleeping): Hey... what can I say about bass solo... actually, it's a really fun tune when the "birthday" parts come in. But beyond that, it a great solo... Kliff is an incredible musician... and he rocks this one like no one else could.

8. Leper Madonna: I don't think this one gets enough credit for the cleverness behind the bash-up. It's really quite a leap from the Beatles version and there's plenty of Metalli-isms' all over it.

9. Ktulu (He's So Heavy): By far... one of the most clever ones on the disc. It's Grgs' favorite. Just listen to it...

10. For Horsemen: The first one ever written. Fast, short and to the point.. yet dynamic too.

11. Hey Dude: This one is the "raise your beer and have a drink with us" song. Stand up, throw up the Horns, and get ready to sing your balls off.

12. Sgt. Hetfield's (Reprise): This is more of a subtle example of Metallica at work on the Beatles. At first it may just seem like a heavy version of the Reprise....but there's more Metallica here then you may think..

13. And Justice For All My Loving: Another fast one here. Starts with a legendary metal drum intro... This is a great example of how well written the Beatles songs are. The song works well in this totally fast, amped-up format.

antiMusic: Have any favorite tracks?

Ringo: My personal favorites are "Helvester of Skelter" and "Ktulu (He's so Heavy)"

antiMusic: Any chance of a Black and White Album as a follow up? I'd love to see what you guys would mix with "Rocky Raccoon"!

Ringo: We hope to do a follow up... Although I can't really give to much away on the titles. We all have plenty of song ideas... it's a matter of collecting what's in our heads and getting that into the studio.

antiMusic: Any big tour plans in the works? And what can fans expect from a Beatallica live show?

Ringo: We have a sort run of shows coming up on the east coast which will lead us to New York for our July 10th album release show. We also have a hand full of festival gigs in Germany (including the Earthshaker) and South Korea. The are plans in the works for an extended tour of the west coast for fall. We are at a point now were we are getting many offers... it's really a matter of coordinating everyone's efforts to try and make it all work. As far as our live show goes.... well.... be prepared for some interaction. We like to get the audience involved and make them part of the show. It's very energetic... and not just for us.... get ready to sing and be one with the band.

antiMusic: what's next for Beatallica?

Ringo: What's next?.... well I guess time will tell. We would love to record more... and work on writing new songs. We have a wealth of material at our feet.. It's our job to make sure that we use it the right way and keep up the momentum of this project.