You guys rock a trio, which is somewhat unusual for metal. Do you feel it works to your advantage to be a little more minimal?

To Be Eaten has been a trio since the beginning. We had a second guitarist for the first two months but soon realized the powerful dynamic of a trio. What we lack in band members, we make up for with equipment. Gear has always been a band priority and is necessary for the sound we are looking to achieve. Playing live is always a really fun challenge. The songs are fast, full of riffs and they require difficult multi-tasking while the vocals are being performed. It's fun to be a three piece but sound like a five piece.

In Denver we’ve interviewed some hip hop groups, a jam band or two, and you guys. They told us about their scene in Denver. Could you tell us what metal is like in your hometown?

The metal scene in Denver has accepted us and been good to us over the years. We’ve gotten to know a lot of awesome bands and awesome people. Although about only a third of the bands we play with are metal, many true metal fans embrace what we do. There have been many crucial spaces that have been essential to us as well as independent local and touring musicians. When we all first started going to shows there were places like the Raven, Monkey Mania, the Spot, and the Midnight Society House, then there were the days of Double Entendre, Garage Land and then there was Pancho’s Villa and the Construct. Monkey Mania on Arapahoe St. was an awesome space for years before it finally got shut down by DPD. It got busted on a night we were supposed to play there with the band Nunslaughter. They threatened to confiscate our equipment if we didn’t make written statements against Monkey Mania. They treated us with disrespect and gave us citations that were later thrown out in court. Eric got locked up for a day because he didn’t have his ID. It cost us $600 just to bail him out.

Now, in 2009, Denver has Blastomat and Rhinoceropolis which are key DIY spaces that are done really well and make a positive contribution to the scene. DIY venues like these that remain all ages are very important to the expansion of music. We like to play for people that are enthusiastic and willing to do productive things for the community and if you exclude people under 21, you eliminate the majority of those people in our opinion.

Could you give us the history behind To Be Eaten? I understand there was a hiatus, some side projects, etc.

To Be Eaten rose up in the summer of 2003 from the remains of the band Rivers Run Dry. The first album Dead Man Seize was recorded in the fall of '04. Eric joined the band in the summer of ‘05 and the CD premiered at the legendary Angels Never Answer/Deadlock Frequency reunion show. Countless shows and one tour later, drummer Brian Miller decided to take time off to focus on his business. This was good for Eric and Ben as well. Eric was working on Black Shepard while Ben pursued The New Rome. As fate would have it, both bands dissolved after some time and both Ben and Eric were left with a strong urge to continue writing and playing. To Be Eaten came together again and buckled down on “In the Clearing“ and recorded with Steve Goldberg of Cephalic Carnage. The album was released and toured with great reception. Things were looking promising when Brian suddenly had to move to Phoenix because of a job offer for his newlywed wife. The band faded away, yet again, until Justin Trujillo from Adai decided to step up and fill the spot.

When you came together did you have a particular style you wanted to play, or did you just experiment to see what would happen?

When To Be Eaten formed we were intent on finding a sound that was as heavy as possible while being melodic in nature with classical European elements. With In the Clearing, our ideas were more polished and concise. They are more true to the direction of what our band was intended to be.

Speaking of the metal scene in Denver, is there a supportive chain of venues and/or record stores for bands in your same genre to play?

To Be Eaten has always preferred obscure shows that are in unique spaces. We’ve played shows in dirt floor basements, laundry rooms, the boxing ring of a gym, Illegal Pete's, outdoor parks, cafes, print shops, Hot Topic, future coffee shops, record stores and living rooms. Last Thanksgiving we threw a party and bought four kegs for anyone who wanted to party with us and it was incredible. We feel that when we play in an obscure environment, it creates a special memory for the people there and it stands out as not “just another show”.

Metal seems to be coming back in a big way over the last couple of years. Who are some of the band’s favorite groups, contemporary or not?

We have been influenced by many bands over the years and all of our tastes are different but similar as well. We all grew up listening to punk and hardcore bands. Naturally, our taste for metal progressed and we all started playing in heavy bands. Influencing bands that we would probably agree upon these days would include: Neurosis, Converge, Botch, Drowningman, Necrophagist, Extol, Naglfar, Isis, Burst, Hot Water Music, Jawbreaker, Propagandhi, Kid Dynamite, Saves the Day, Earth Crisis, Gorilla Biscuits, Bad Brains, Youth of Today, Cursed, Lack, Niel Perry, Curl Up and Die, Mastodon...the list could go on.

You’re associated with the label Ash From Sweat. Who are these guys, and what do you have planned next for them?

The label that has released both our first two albums is a Denver based record label called Ash From Sweat Records. It's run by our longtime friends Dan and Dennis Phelps. Established sometime in 2000, AFS has put out over 20 releases that consist of mostly vinyl with the exception of our cds and even a double 3’ CD. They have been very helpful and supportive of To Be Eaten over the years.