Todd Kirby: We chose the name "Bleach" because it signifies the way Jesus' blood cleanses and purifies us. People need to know that even if they have messed up in life, if they accept the gift of Jesus, nothing they've done is "uncleanable".

Todd: We started at Christian College. Sam and Matt got together early our Freshman year, and I joined at the end of our Freshman year. It was just for fun and a weekend ministry at first. Dave joined our Sophomore year and Brad at Christmas our Junior year. Barry Blair (of Audio Adrenaline) taught Brad guitar, so when we decided to do a demo we asked Barry to produce it. He did, and passed it on to Forefront. The rest is history.

Todd: It's hard to describe our sound, other than just good old rock-n-roll. We didn't so much select it as it just sort of took shape. When we write new stuff now, we can see an obvious "Bleach" sound that we try not to stray too far from, while at the same time trying to be different enough to stay fresh. Sometimes we just cut loose and jam - stereotypes be darned!

Todd: Although we all have different influences with very eclectic styles, some bands we like have been known to peek through. Most of us like Starflyer 59 and the Smashing Pumpkins. Most of us are into a lot of the current modern rock groups, but our individual influences range from punk to arena rock to thrash and beyond.

Todd: We didn't really choose Christian music, I don't know that it was even an option. We were all Christians when we met. We listened to Christian music and went to a Christian college. Christianity was just everything we were into. I've never been with another group whose world is so permeated with Jesus.

Todd: Song ideas tend to come from whatever we're dealing with in our personal lives. Girlfriends, unsaved friends, overwhelming joy in a loving God, whatever gets us so worked up that we have to write it down on paper to deal with it.

Todd: No. Our first album was very laid back. I think Eddie DeGarmo just wanted to see where we would settle in the industry. Our second album will be much more goal oriented and planned. Now that we know more about what we are doing, we have a better idea of where we can go. Of course, ultimately, you go where God leads you. I just hope we meet His goals for us.

Todd: Dave and I wrote the words to "Wonderful", I can't remember who wrote the music. For me, it was my fiancee Kim who inspired the lyrics. I'm sure it was Dave's wife Jennifer who inspired him. There is just such an intense emotional love when your better half is a Christian too. When you realize that God has given you not only the awesome gift of salvation, but someone so beautiful to share all your dreams and challenges with... it's wonderful. I can't even look at Kim now when we play that song, it still gets to me.

Todd: "Cold and Turning Blue" is about having unsaved friends and you never tell them about Jesus. Every day we see people who don't know Christ, and we talk to them and work with them and play with them, but we never tell them about salvation. Can't you see? They're cold and turning blue.

Todd: I don't think you can truly know a band unless you've seen them in concert. The music may rock, but how do they treat their fans? Obviously it would be good for fans to support bands by attending a concert (that's where we make our lunch money), but I think it's just as beneficial to the fans as it is for the bands. The energy is so high and the emotions so intense when it's live. We've even seen Marilyn Manson fans come to know Jesus at a concert.

Todd: Yes, we are currently playing three new songs in our set. We are supposed to take most of November and December off to write and most of January and February to record, which would put a new release at about June first. However, some politics have recently entered the picture which may bump the release up a month or two. We'll know more by the first of the year.

Todd: Dave & Sam like the Star Wars Trilogy. Brad liked Raising Arizona. Matt likes UHF. I'm a big Tim Allen: Rewired fan.

Todd: Yes, we listen to a lot of Christian music. Some individual favorites are Starflyer 59, Supertones, Plumb, Skillet, Morella's Forest, and 9 Volt Velvet.

Todd: God bless your ministry, I hope we can work together again sometime. Thanks.