We caught up with Shitar founder John Gorney at Five Guys in Chesapeake, Virginia. He was wearing pajama bottoms, sandals and an old Michigan sweatshirt and looked more like your buddy you'd watch a hockey game with than a member of one of the most prolific power trios ever to grace rock and roll. Here are some highlights from that interview.

Rolling Stone: So, John, let's get right to the tough questions. Rumors are swirling that this is the end of Shitar as we know it and the band is breaking up. Any comments?

John Gorney: False. Shitar is as strong as ever. In fact, my enthusiasm for the band has reached new heights. I think the rumors spread from an offhand comment I made that we were going to fire Misto (long time Shitar guitarist Mark Mistysyn) when we hit a snag in recording this summer. It was just a comment with no weight behind it. By the way, have you tried the burgers here? They're delicious.

RS: What about the fact that the band in basically pulling a KISS and releasing three solo albums? That led to the eventual departures of Ace and Peter. Do you see something similar here? Are these albums a way to help releave tension in the band?

JG: Not at all. This is a result of Matt (Shitar founder Matthew Gorney) and I coming to the table with so many songs, we realized it just wouldn't all fit. So, we would need a double CD. In conversation, the idea came up to put my songs on one and Matt's on the other. Mark would then have his own disk and it would be a triple album. Kind of similar to what Outkast did recently, really. Similar rumors floated around when we released Son of Ray, but Matt is still with us today.

RS: Okay, enough with the gossip. Let's get to the album. What's your favorite song?

JG: Just one? Man, I can't answer that. That's like asking a mom which child she likes more... well, save the song won't be emotionally scarred by the answer. Maybe Taliban? Or Die Alone? It all depends on my mood. One thing this format gives each of us is a lot of freedom. I can do anything I want. Matt and Mark both are huge contributors to the album. It helps with diversity. If I'm feeling paternal, I would say Duet or So Fast, you know? Here, try some french fries.

RS: No, thank you. The first single on your album, "Taliban In America" is pretty politically charged. You've had a few songs on recent albums in similar veins. Some people think you should move to France. Any response?

JG: France is a lovely place, I'm sure, though I've only ever been there on tour and haven't had a chance to see the sights. However, I love this country. It's why I get so upset when I see someone messing it up with bad policies and decisions. This is the greatest country on the planet and could be even better if we followed some different paths. These songs are my voice in all of this. They are my opinion and I'm as full of hot air as anyone else. Hrm. I wonder if I should call these freedom fries instead of french fries now?

RS: I've noticed that there are a lot of songs about death on this album: Die Alone, Hole, Now She's Gone, Flowers, Show Myself Out and so on. What brought on this?

JG: It wasn't something that was planned. Personally, my family did deal with some recent issues, but I think that is only reflected in one of the songs. The others are just stories being told, influenced by groups like Pink Floyd and Queensryche.

RS: Any other notable influences of this album?

JG: System of a Down. I'm sure there are others, but those are the three bands I've been listening most to of late. And, of course, Mark and Matt. We each bring something to almost every song, changing it slightly, making it better. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, or whatever the cliche is.

RS: One reviewer said this is the best Shitar album yet. Comments on that?

JG: The reviewer is speaking too soon. We've only released one third of the entire project. While it is always possible this triple album could be a fan favorite like Long Way Home or Blow It Out Your Amp or Exactly, to me, so far at least, it sounds more like a Use Your Kielbasa. Of course, that is one of my personal favorites. There is a lot of variety to enjoy on the new album and you've only heard the bad stuff. Just wait until we get to the ugly and the what have you. We probably should have waited until all three were ready for release and did them at once, but you know how record companies are. We appreciate they give us our artistic freedom, but we let them handle the marketing.

RS: What about a tour?

JG: It is way too soon to start thinking about that. Wait until the next two albums are released and then ask me. Now, I need to get a refill on this soda....

Published: 1-6-2006

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