submitted 03/01/05
Q:  If in one of your songs you would have the power to reach someone, deep in their soul,

    what would you want to leave them? 

 
SB: That there really is some hope and good out there at the end of the difficult road.  sb

submitted 02/24/04
Q:  Can you tell us what is the meaning of your new song, The Great Deception? 

SB: This song reflects the changes we go through as we evolve in the way we perceive
    our world, our surroundings and our co-inhabitants on this planet. The fairy tale
    we wished for and believed in as children is deceptive but beautiful, but the gradual
    realization of reality sets usually in a disappointing fashion.  We need to hang on
    to those glimpses of serenity to keep us sane.  sb

RAOB questions 01/2004

Q:  How about some info on "The Silver Lining"? Inspiration, when it was written, etc?
SB: Details on lyrics makes it easier to discuss because there are hours of thoughts
    in each song.  obviously the underlying theme is optimistic we are very small in
    the grand scheme reasons beyond our comprehension

Q:  Ok, so how do you discuss a song like "5" that doesn't have lyrics?
    I KNOW there's a message/story on that one.
SB: When my dad died on Jan. 25,2002, a string of 5 people died within a year that
    were very close to me. The song has about 80 guitar tracks to please every 
    guitarists particular likes. It's chaotic at times and serene at others....

Q:  Some of these songs were written many years ago and others are more recent - each
    reflecting a type of loss or feeling at that specific time. When you rerecord songs
    that were written years ago, do you have a different emotion or take on the songs 
    then when you first wrote/recorded it? Maybe a sense of evolvement or growth from 
    the original feelings you felt?
SB: The emotion stays the same for my whole length

Steve's comments on RAOB
SB: I would like to give a thought on something....
    let's understand sadness and depth and beauty and peace. Don't mistake deep
    meditative ideas and reflection for misery. There is no misery in my soul at 
    all. There is a great happiness and a great reality of sadness that clash with
    each other. That's why I am myself. I have the desire to shake people's thought
    waves by moving them as much as I can. That's why my album cover and poster
    reflect more than just a pretty picture of a smiling baby. Without an understanding
    of pain and sadness there is no appreciation for beauty. In every song that some
    people think is really somber, there is the reality of the flipside, the silver 
    lining. You have to realize both sides. If you want songs strictly about the
    superficial happiness of rich people in love, listen to N sync....not that there's
    anything wrong with that, it's just not me. 
 
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submitted 10/27/03
Q:  What's the meaning and inspiration of 4a.m. In a Cold Place? 
SB: 4 am inspired by those thoughts running through my head in the middle of the night,
    feelings of concern and despair.  When I was a kid, I used to think the sun
    was going to destroy the earth, it looked bigger on some days, so I thought it
    was getting closer. I used to worry about things like that all the time, sb


submitted 9/1/03
Q:  I remember reading in an interview once that you were friends with Dee Snider. 
    In "One More Life", is the Dee mentioned Dee Snider?
    ["Learned it straight from Dee about real street justice"]
SB: Yes