Firstly, you have probably been asked this many times, but can you explain where the name The Black Dahlia Murder comes from and why you chose it?

TS - I named it after Hollywood's most infamous unsolved murder case… the death of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short. She was an aspiring actress that was found dead with her body cut in two. The case is a very strange one, with a lot of interesting circumstances around it. Anyone who wants to learn can get informed over at  www.bethshort.com 

What inspired you to get into music and who has influenced your sound the most?

TS - I was into music from a very young age. My parents weened me on a lot of pop and rock stuff. The first song I ever liked was Foreigner’s “Juke Box Hero”. It wasn’t until I heard Megadeth that I was fully exposed to heavy metal… and I instantly fell in love with it. As far as the band goes, At The Gates, Carcass, Darkane, Metallica, old In Flames, Megadeth, old Soilwork, Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation and Vader are our main influences.

The Black Dahlia Murder sound is quite extreme, is this what you enjoy listening to or do you prefer listening to other styles of music?

TS - I like all different kinds of music. I usually stay up to date with what's cool in Death Metal more than any other kind of music. Lately I have been listening to the newest Putridity, Aeon, and Disavowed albums.

You have recently released your third full length album Nocturnal. How has the album been received and what reaction do you get from crowds when you play the new material live?

TS - I am very pleased with the reception so far. We had a feeling that we were onto something special with this album, so its somewhat of a relief that people are into as much as they are. The crowd reaction is getting there for the new songs… people were still learning them when we were out playing them last. I am interested to see how the material does on the next tour.

How do you feel you have progressed musically since Miasma?

TS - I think that the songs have gotten more concise since the last album. They are still in that BDM style… if anything, I would say that material is both more melodic and more extreme at the same time. I think that we really honed our chops since “Miasma”, and I think “Nocturnal” is infinitely better for it. We were very very serious but relaxed in the studio… it was a bit different than recording the other albums. I think we are all finally comfortable in the studio, and we know what we want our band to sound like.

In the last couple of years you have had a few line up changes, with rumours of a split, it must have been a difficult time for the band. How did you cope with this and manage to complete a new album?

TS - It was indeed a scary time for the band. There was a lot of uncertainty… and a lot of long, empty days just waiting. We just kept our eyes on the prize, so to speak, and worked on the album without a drummer. I think that being under so much pressure really lit a fire under our asses. I think the new album is brimming with energy, and I think it’s a reaction to the shitty times we were going through. We also realized the weight of making our third album in the face of a lot of skepticism. We wanted to show that the line up changes were definitely for the betterment of the band.

With the new line up now in place, how is the mood in the band and how have people settled in?

TS - Now that the album is behind us, and we have a few tours with Shannon under our belts, I think that we are killing it. I think he’s doing a great job, and that kids are really blown away by his playing live. I am very happy with how things are going right now.

You are a band that tours extensively. Many bands state that touring can take it’s toll with the moment they are on the stage being the only redeeming feature. How do you, as a band, cope on the road?

TS - I smoke a lot of weed, play video games, and laugh with my friends. We make up a lot of ridiculous inside jokes and have a good time. I think what we have, that a lot of bands lack, is a good friendship. We are like brothers in this band.

As mentioned you have toured a lot and with a number of different bands, which bands are left that you would most like to tour with?

TS - I’d love to play with The Dillinger Escape Plan, who I think are an amazing band. I’d really like to do a tour with Converge… I think that would be huge. I think a tour with us and Isis would also be really cool. We could really use a Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, Children of Bodom, or Slayer tour. That would be awesome.

You are soon to embark on the European leg of the Metal Blade 25th anniversary tour with Job For A Cowboy and The Red Chord. What does it mean to you to be on an established label that backs new talent in such a way?

TS - Its great. I don’t think we’d be anywhere if we had landed a deal with any other label. I see a lot of great bands out there that are signed to one of the big metal labels and just never get the advertisement or attention from the label that they deserve. It’s sad. We haven’t had that problem. We’ve been a priority to Metal Blade ever since we came into the family.

Your MySpace page has had a phenomenal amount of hits, how do you find the internet as a tool to get your music heard?

TS - MySpace and the internet are a very important tool for reaching new people. Its great for networking with other bands/labels/artists/etc., too. I think its played a huge part in the current resurgence of metal’s popularity.

On A Cold-Blooded Epitaph you cover “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones. What other songs have you covered, or would like to cover, either live or on an album?

TS - We have covered “The Swarm” by At The Gates and “Angel Of Death” by Slayer. I would like to do a cover song. I want to cover “Tools Of The Trade” or pretty much any old Megadeth song. That would rule!

Lastly, what can we expect from The Black Dahlia Murder in the future?

TS - More albums, more touring. We are not going away any time soon.