Present (or better: promote) yourself (the band of course) a little bit - Most people in Germany still wont know you - a shame!

Ross: Well Tourettes is an Australian band. we have been writing and performing our music in Australia ( Sydney ) since 1999. We have 2 independent CDs out there and a good number of fans. I suppose that most people could get a better idea of Tourettes Syndrome by looking at our MySpace www.myspace.com/tourettesSF4L. SF4L stands for 'Sik Fuk 4 Life' which is what our fans say. They call themselves the Sik Fuks. This is cool with us! We have a record coming out through Armageddon Music in Germany Oct 13. we made this record in Canada and LA in 2004/5 and we can't wait to get it released as we also have a new one ready to make and we are making plans to record again as soon as possible.

What is, in your eyes, the spirit behind your music?

Ross: The music is a combination of our love of freedom and energy of metal. Some of songs have very different approaches and we love that we have the freedom to interpret modern music is a form that means so much to so many.

You're releasing a new record on 13 oct this year - tell us something about it (your intentions when writing it,what you think about it)

Ross: as I said we made this record in Canada. half of it was written in Australia and half in Canada when we were snowed in during the -30 winter there. The outcome of all these songs in quite diverse. I think that in the albums to come we will see Tourettes Syndrome becoming more and more concentrated so that we will have a more coherent fusing of the diverse nature of the band. ' Sick Sense' ( the album that will come out Oct 13 ) is a great introduction to the varied sounds that the band can harness

Your last record, "Destestimony" got quite some good reviews (at least when trusting your hp ;)) - Was it some kind of surprise to you?

Ross: It was great to get the support we did for that recording. It was made in 3 days in the studio so to hear people talking about with such positivity really help to get us motivated to move forward with the project.

What do you think is the reason for your career-kickstart (headlining shows before having had the first album out, being broadcasted after the first longplayer...back in 2000 and 2001)

Ross: I think it was our live show. We had all been performers and/or in bands before so we had a good live show from the beginning. I also think that Michele is a very dynamic performer who has a natural charisma that people can't help but be impressed by. Whether the audience loves Tourettes or hates us. They still remember us!

I found thist in the review section of your hp(Drum Magazine Setempber 2003): "Contrary to a recent Novocastrian punter's belief, lead vocalist Michele Madden dosen't have a dick. But by Satan she do got balls." - what was your reaction when your read this?

Ross: a lot of people come up with this female vs male shit. I think that they should look a bit further and appreciate the individual rather than some gender based approach to catagorisation. I mean fuck catagories. Fuck boxes to put people in. That said Michele does have balls.

Q: Are you satisfied with the reactions on your shows in Europe till now?

Ross: It has been great. the reaction to our live shows has been great. we came here to do wacken and since then have been added to some more fests & we are getting more of our own shows, which is great. I am looking forward to the Cd coming out so that we can do more shows to support that release.

If somebody would have said "you play at wacken in 2006" one or two years ago - would have believed him?

Ross: Yes

After all we dont here much from Australian Metal in Europe - is there a scene? Does it kick ass?

Ross: The scene in australia is small but there is a lot of support there from music fans for bands that maintain there own energy. If you have energy for your project then there is help for you in australia. the fans are great. the industry in general is small and controlled by a few players. This is changing more and more. as new promoters and companies develop new ways of doing things I think the Australian scene will flourish.

(When) Will you be back?

Ross: Back in europe? we are here to stay. Tourettes Syndrome has global plans. you will hear more from us!