Dead Earth Politics, of Austin, Texas, play metal. But their inspiration goes far beyond one lone genre.

"We take inspiration and influences that run the gamut of the history of metal in addition to different types of music such as jazz, blues, Persian-Arabic and even polka. We're not purists, and nothing is sacred. It all finds a home in Dead Earth Politics," says vocalist Ven Scott. "Besides, when genres cross at the fringes is where the original, exciting stuff happens. Metal has always been accommodating to this approach, in my view."

The band started when Scott played with drummer, Mason "Chevo" Evans, in a band called Grunt. They went on to form other bands, collecting the members that would make up Dead Earth Politics. These include Scott, Evans, Ernie "Uno" Clark on guitar and Will "Waffle" Little on bass.

Live and in rehearsal Ven uses the e Electro-Voice RE2-N7 mic.

"I used to use a Shure model, but switched because the EV is just tougher. That bad boy gets his ass knocked around and used constantly. It also has provided with some of the best plug-and-play clarity out of any wireless system I have used. It's relatively cheap, too," says Ven. "You can go on up to 3k for a handheld wireless mic, or you can go two hundred bucks. You get what you pay, and EV is the leader -- the innovator also as their parent company was the first to start toying with wireless technology."

Recording he says he has used a few different microphones including the SM58.

Evans is less picky about his vocal mics, but that is largely due to his role. He favors Shure in the studio.

"I do some back ups and have found that live, I usually just have to cope with whatever the venue is runnin'," says Evans "As for recorded, give me a cheap ass Shure 57 over a $1000 Oktava any day! The high end mics thin me out and clean me up and I like to be thick and dirty."

Guitarist Clark uses several guitars in the band.

"For Dead Earth Politics the guitars I use are a Jackson Strat with Seymour Duncans and a Floyd Rose, an Ibanez RG560, also with a Floyd Rose, and a Gibson Gothic Explorer for recording mainly rhythms. I also use a Fender Strat and a Yamaha classical for other things," says Clark. "The primary idea behind the Jackson and the Ibanez is that of the 'hot-rodded' Stratocaster which is ideal for the Dead Earth Politics style of metal. I'm looking forward to incorporating more single-coil sounds in the future."

At the moment he uses a Marshall JCM900 head and a 1960A cabinet.

"I really dig Marshall's because they have the basic 70's Metal Rock Schenker, Roth sound. While they have a lot of body and warmth they're also 'neutral' in some ways. This enables me to really focus on my own perspective and identity as a player instead of depending so much on a particular type of amplification. Marshalls respond well to how I attack the guitar dynamically."

Clark's effects include Boss, Morley and Korg pedals.

"The effects pedals in my rig as of now consist of a Boss Octave for doubling some single-note riffs, a Morley wah for lead work, a Boss Chorus Ensemble for the thickening and shimmering aspects and a Boss Flange for swirling madness, and I have a Korg tuner in the chain," says Clark. "I'm pretty happy with the rig and axes I have now, although I would like to try out a Paul Reed Smith or the YJM Fender Strat for the scalloped necks. Effects are always great to experiment with. Delays are on the future acquisition list as well as some 70's flanger sounds. Swoosh swoosh."

The band hope to have a new record finished for release in 2009. Their last CD Mark the Resistance has done well for them but Scott says they feel they can up the ante with the next recording.

"It [Mark the Resistance] was our first recording with our first few songs," says Scott. "Now we are comfortable in our skins and much stronger as a band."