GEHENNA interview

Gehenna's Mike Rhoades was interviewed for Blood Book Issue #4 (Winter 1995/1996) - a 'zine done by Dwid (Integrity). This issue was limited to 666 and included a 7" version of the Ringworm demo.

BB: What does "Gehenna" mean?
Mike: A lake of fire, in a part of hell which is pretty much on earth right now.
BB: What releases do you guys have out?
Mike: We have a demo and a split 7" with Apt. 213.
BB: Do you have aspirations for an upcoming full length record?
Mike: It's all up in the air right now. We may do something on our own or maybe something with Earache.
BB: Earache?
Mike: Yeah. We have been talking to this guy who works for them. He used to be in Heresy! He's totally cool. I hope everything works out. They put out a ton of awesome stuff. Entombed "Left Hand Path"... you know?
BB: So, what are your feelings on the fallen hardcore movement at present?
Mike: It's pretty pitiful. There's just a bunch of fucked up kids. Followers. There's too many cliques. And whatever is thought to be "cool" in the city you're in, well then that's what you're supposed to be into. And if you don't fit into the trendy style that they like, then you get ostracized. We're not even recognized as a band from our old home town. We were outlawed in San Diego. That's one of the reasons we move around so much.
BB: Yeah, we saw a flyer for your band with pictures of you and Mike Cheese on it, saying that you were banned from the scene! How fucking ridiculous. Who did that stupid shit and why?
Mike: A bunch of kids that look like Spock from Star Trek did it. They all have that stupid haircut like him. They're supposed to be like all the "cool" kids that everyone wants to be tight with, and we know that these kids are full of shit so they all hate us, they made flyers with our pictures on them stating that we were "kicked out of the scene". They were like wanted posters.
BB: Judging from your live performances and your approach to this interview, have any of you ever been institutionalized?
Mike: Not recently. Maybe once a long time ago in the bowels of a worm.
BB: Let's try something easy. What are some of your favorite bands?
Mike: Voivod, G.I.S.M., Integrity, Mobb Deep, Wu Tang.
BB: I know you are into collecting records, and you are the only guy I know that has at least a dozen Project X e.p.'s, but what records are you looking for?
Mike: Snukythe
BB: What are your religious affiliations?
Mike: I'm not sure I believe in anything.
BB: You seem rather calm today. Is there something wrong?
Mike: I'd like to do a split 7" with a river. (??!!!)
BB: How do you feel about the newly formed Holy Terror movement?
Mike: It's good that you turn your back on all that candy ass hardcore stuff. Now there will finally be a genre where we "fit in".
BB: Didn't your old room-mate shoot your girlfriend in the head with an AK-47?
Mike: Yeah, he did. The dumb ass was f**king around with it and didn't know it was loaded. She was just sitting on the floor and he shot her in the neck. She didn't die though, she bled all over the place.
BB: Have you guys been touring?
Mike: We did a small tour with Integrity last summer, and this summer we're going to tour across the country with this band called Fall Silent from Reno.
BB: Final words?
Mike: Gehenna killer bees are swarming.