When you hear the word "Pitchshifter," what does it mean to you?

J.S. Clayden: Well, back in the old days before we actually were "Pitchshifter," it always meant the guitar effects pedal. I would see the name on the guitar pedal, and its lists of effects, and think solely of that. Now I can only think of the band. It's weird, when I see the name in music shop mags now I feel it's being stolen from me, like I own it and they shouldn't have the right to reproduce the name. Of course, that's insane, because we stole it from them in the first place.

Are you able to effectively get the sounds you hear in your head onto tape in a satisfactory way? In other words, do the finished songs sound like what you heard in your head and/or what you had in mind for them?

J.S.: With this record yeah, I am very happy at how it came out. We managed to get everything down (to digital media, nowhere near a tape at any point actually) exactly as we wanted it. Having the demo studio at home is great for that because you can just plug away at it until it sounds right. I think all musicians have this mental image of how the tune should be and putting it to tape is the process of recreating that image.

Which comes first: the lyrics or the riffs? What inspires each?

J.S.: Either/or. Sometimes even a loop, or a breakbeat, or a weird noise. We try not to limit ourselves to a formula when writing; we just start the ball rolling and see where it goes on it's own. Guitars are inspired by all the forms of music we like and lyrics are inspired by all the things that happen in my life, and things I see and think about.

You layer tracks and tracks of sounds and samples. How do you know what to add, and when do you know when "enough is enough" and the song is done?

J.S.: Less is always more. It took me a long time to realize that. The less you have cluttering up a mix, the more room the separate items have to breath and take their own space. This record has more open sections in it than any other we've done and I think it benefits from it greatly.

Which is easier to meet: your expectations of your music, or your fans expectations of your music?

J.S.: Well, it's way easier to meet your own expectations of your own music. It's impossible to please all the fans. People will always disagree on everything -- it's human nature. I don't even try to appease others. I make the music I like because my passion for it drives me on to do so. If others like it, great. If they don't, so what? My passion is still there and I will still do my thing. We all have to follow our hearts in this life. I do my thing and hope that others can dig it.

American audiences have had a difficult time digesting Pitchshifter's style of techno punk. Why do you think that is?

J.S.: I think of course in earlier years our music was just too far ahead of the curve for people to "get." I don't mean that to sound big-headed or anything, there just weren't many (or any?) bands mixing drum and bass grooves with heavy guitars. Nowadays, there are a slew of bands blending electronic elements with hard edged music, and so it's less shocking for people to hear bands like us out there. Actually, it's refreshing to not be so out on a limb.

You've been on the label merry-go-round over the past few years. As with the previous question, do you feel labels "get" your music/vision and what you're trying to do/where you're trying to push yourself with it?

J.S.: Some do and some don't. At the end of the day labels are set up to make money. They're businesses. They generally "get" your music as far it pays the bills. It's always up to the band to make the record they believe in and keep it strong in the band unit.

Matt Grundy recently left the band. Does he know that those 'Shifter tattoos on his arms are permanent?

J.S.: Ha! I hope so! Matt left Pitchshifter because of work and his own band, nothing negative. His contribution to Pitchshifter will remain no matter if he leaves the band. Matt thanked me for two great years and shook me by the hand when he left. It was a pretty emotional time. We hang out still, and Mark plays bass in his band The Blueprint, so we still see each other.

Why did you again choose Machine to produce P.S.I.? What does he bring to the table?

J.S.: Machine rules. Jim [Davies] and I actually decided that we didn't want make this record with anyone but Machine. He's the producer we feel that is most tuned into our wavelength. It's like having another member of the band at the helm. He's really come a long way in his production techniques since he did www.pitchshifter.com, and there is so much density and weight to the new Pitchshifter record sonically. Also, Machine is just a great vibes and ideas man. He can really get a great performance out of each band member because he's so relaxed in his style, and still gets really excited about his work. He's a great guy. I am sure pretty soon none of us will be able to afford him, he'll go off and do one big record like Marilyn Manson or something and just to super-star prices!

You do a lot of pre-production work in your own studio. Do you see yourself building it out to the point where you can completely record and produce an album to your satisfaction? Have you ever considered producing/engineering/recording/remixing/etc. other people's work (inside or outside of the studio) on an ongoing basis?

J.S.: Well, we try and keep the Pitchshifter studio on the down-low. It's so easy to let studios get way out of hand and buy tons and tons of gear without end. For me, the studio is a sketch book deal. We use it to get all our programming in shape and rough sketch the tunes. Then it's off to a nice studio to get the guitar sounds and drum tracking. You just need so much cash to get the equipment to do that stuff. I prefer to do my guerrilla-style stuff.

I have toyed with the idea of producing stuff, and I think I could be good at that. I am so busy right now with all the stuff going on that's right at the back of mind for now. Remixes are right up my alley, though. I just finished a remix for Pitchshifter. Put a drum and bass edge to "MyKind," and it sounds solid. I hope we get to do some cool mixes this year -- they're always fun.

Have you been able to accomplish what you've wanted to with Pitchshifter? Are you satisfied with what you've achieved? Any regrets? Anything left to conquer?

J.S.: Well, we never really set out to accomplish anything, to be honest. We were forced to start making music because no-one was making the music we wanted to hear. I guess we've totally surpassed any expectations we had with the band because we never set our sights on a career in music. We just went for it. Looking back now, I am pretty pleased with all that we have achieved as a band.

We're just some punk kids from the shit end of town, to be honest -- it's amazing that we're here making music at all. I've kind of been through the mill with the band, and I am the fortunate position of being out of the other end of the tunnel. I can actually be proud and enjoy what we do. We started from scratch and did this whole thing on our own, and that's a pretty big achievement. I am in this zen period with the band where I just appreciate what we do, and what we get to do. I am just gonna enjoy this record and touring behind it.