Moribund Metal

As I Lay Dying (named after a book by William Faulkner) formed in 2001. The lineup consists of Tim Lambesis (vocals), Jordan Mancino (drums), guitarists Nick Hipa and Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Clint Norris.

Hipa describes the band's music as "brutal, energetic, melodic metal"; Mancino calls it "metal with ska breakdowns." The band signed with Metal Blade Records in 2003 and spent last year supporting their album Shadows Are Security with opening slots for Slipknot and performances at Ozzfest events around the country.

"I never realized, until Ozzfest, about our utterly weird fans," says Lambesis. "We were signing autographs...this guy brought out his two-week-old baby, and he actually has us sign the baby -- our autographs are right there on its body." Jordan Mancino recalls, "The hardest thing [about Ozzfest] was getting stuck on a dirt road with our bus in the middle of the Arizona desert." Nick Hipa: "Lots of sloppy, gross old ladies walking around with their gross old boobs painted. Definitely a bum-out."

As I Lay Dying was named Artist of the Year at the 15th annual San Diego Music Awards in 2005 and embarks on the Taste of Chaos tour on February 16 with the Deftones, Story of the Year, and others. Tim Lambesis, Nick Hipa, and Jordan Mancino replied to our Lists queries:

WHAT'S IN YOUR CD PLAYER?

Lambesis:

1. Children of Bodom, Are You Dead Yet? ("It's in my player, but I haven't listened to it much yet.")

2. Nodes of Ranvier, The Years to Come ("Their label wants us to take them on tour with us. I listened to the record; it's pretty good.")

Hipa:

1. Deadboy and the Elephantmen, If This Is Hell, Then I'm Lucky ("This guy has a very smooth and dark-sounding voice. It's the type of jam I put on when I want to chill out.")

2. Circa Survive, Juturna ("I like the panned guitars on this album. There's a lot going on in every song.")

3. Entombed, Wolverine Blues ("When I'm in the need and jonesin' for an onslaught of brutal, fierce riffs, I throw this record on.")

4. Chase Pagan, demos ("Super-talented singer/songwriter dude in the vein of Jeff Buckley...he's relatively unknown, mostly because of crappy label stuff.")

5. Cult of Luna, Salvation ("I love this band because they are very heavy, [like] Isis and Neurosis, yet they incorporate very atmospheric passages in the vein of Sigur Rós.")

Mancino: Thrice, Vheissu ("Like a rock opera. I love that band.")

WORST TV SHOW EVER?

Lambesis: "The Simple Life was really sad, and they don't admit that most of it is scripted."

Mancino: "Any sort of reality show. Except Hogan Knows Best, I like that one."

BEST CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER?

Lambesis: "One of the guys from AFI came to see us in Seattle and actually insisted that he pay for a copy of our CD."

Hipa: "When I was a little kid, I met a couple of American Gladiators at this karate exhibition I was partaking in. They gave me autographed photos of themselves flexing."

Mancino: "I met Judd Nelson at the Rainbow in L.A., and he was showing us how to fight. It was sweet, getting taught that by a Breakfast Clubber."

FAVORITE LOCAL EATERY AND BEST DISH?

Lambesis: "Los Panchos in San Marcos. I usually get the vegetarian burrito and a cheese enchilada for around five bucks."

Hipa: "Rico's Taco Shop in Encinitas, off El Camino Real and Encinitas Boulevard. The Justin Burrito single wrapped with sour cream is my jam. It's exactly $4.31."

Mancino: "Rubio's, for the lobster burrito, pork torta, chips and salsa. With a side of white sauce. Costs about nine dollars."

IRON MAIDEN OR JUDAS PRIEST?

(All): "Maiden."

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU FEW WOULD KNOW OR GUESS?

Lambesis: "I often get anemic from a blood-iron deficiency, but you can't tell just from looking at me. I haven't fallen off the stage or anything."

Hipa: "I'm Hawaiian-Japanese, not Mexican."

Mancino: "I love Disney movies, theme parks...pretty much everything to do with Disney."