CraveOnline: You’ve said the new album has a “Dark Summer Vacation” vibe. What does that mean exactly?

 

DERON MILLER: I wish I knew how to explain it, I really don’t. It has something to do with looking back on your childhood and recalling some of the emotions you had when you were young and inexperienced. We tried to capture our summertime feelings in the music. Those moments.

 

CraveOnline: Tell me about the “Hellview” song series. Where did it start, where will it end?

 

DERON MILLER: I can’t say when it will end. It started with a demo song we did in ’96 called “Thanks For The Ride” about hitchhiking. We wanted to tell stories in our songs rather than write about crazy bitches or Hollywood whores.

 

CraveOnline: So what’s the deal with the CKY comic book? How did that come about?

 

DERON MILLER: An email, a phone call, we’re a very lucky band. We have really amazing fans. We may not have a hold of the mainstream but we definitely have a fan base. A fan base that’s so into us, that gets us, that sees the potential and personalities within the band.

 

CraveOnline: What happens in the comic book itself?

 

DERON MILLER: We battle the mainstream music industry and corporate rock. It’s actually very funny.

 

CraveOnline: What bands are moving you today?

 

DERON MILLER: Sad to say not many. I like M83, Severed Savior, and old stuff.

 

CraveOnline: How did you get involved with Roadrunner Records?

 

DERON MILLER: I’ve known our A&R guy since ’95. He rejected every demo I ever sent right up until weeks before we signed with Island.

 

CraveOnline: What are the band’s plans for 2009 and beyond?

 

DERON MILLER: To his as many places as we can. Hopefully Japan will like the new record. It’s their first CKY album and I’d like to go there.

 

CraveOnline: What does the band do outside of CKY? Side projects? Producing?

DERON MILLER: Jess and I are parents, we have side projects, I’m working on scripts and developing movies and I’d like to do more acting. CKY has been first priority for 12 years.

 

CraveOnline: What is the CKY Alliance? Why is it so important to the band?

 

DERON MILLER: It’s almost more important than the band. They make us every bit as successful as we are. We feed off each other. Most bands are too stupid to realize they in actuality they are not above their fans in any way.

 

CraveOnline: With technology creating so much uncertainty in the music world does CKY see technology as a good or bad thing?

 

DERON MILLER: Who knows? I think we’ll be OK we just go with the flow day to day. If we see a brick wall up ahead we deal with it. We’ve always been great at solving all of our problems.

 

CraveOnline: When CKY is all done what do you want the band’s legacy to be?

 

DERON MILLER: Timeless appeal and innovation. Our music will live forever so we know it better be amazing.