Martyrs play a kind of intense, mysterious music that was missing from the Toronto music scene until they appeared to save the day. Kristine commands the drums like that brave engineer in the wreck of the Old '˜97, and yet somehow, unlike the legendary driver, she survives the heat. Spooky and fun, the Martyrs are a must-see.

Please take a moment to introduce yourself and your fellow Martyrs... Kristine: Valerie plays guitar, and Demian plays keyboards. They both sing. I play drums.

What's in a name, by which I mean your name? Kristine: If you take some of the letters out of Martyrs you get Satyr (and satire), which I did not notice at first when we chose the name. It has a pejorative meaning, and the opposite of a Martyr. As a band, I think we're working the two polarities of having song-type material and strange sounds. Valerie: Someone had written it in pencil on the wall of the room I moved into earlier this year, and it seemed like a good band name. I've had thoughts about both religious martyrs and 'œthe female martyr,'? so the name does have some relevence.

Martyrs have a refreshing sound '” it shows that you've put lots of work into this project. What is the primary fuel of the Martyrs? Valerie: We all have pretty varied musical tastes, so the songs are a result of our often conflicting views of how songs should be structured. Lately, I've pretty much only been listening to Blind Willlie Johnson, the first Teutonic Disaster comp and DNA. I guess we all share an interest in German music in general, though. Kristine: Our songs have some very different parts to them, and that comes from trying to accommodate everyone's interests. It gives us a challenge. Also having not had a lot of formal lessons prior to playing with Val makes for a more fun and if you will, 'œinnocent'? performance.

How did you meet? Valerie: Demian and I were friends in high school and have known each other ever since, Kristine and I met over the Internet. I was drawn in my her claim that 'œI have better taste in music than you!'? Kristine: I have since abandoned that claim.

What is your favourite Martyrs rumor? (You can make up anything you want '” here is your chance!) Kristine: No rumours, this is for real. But know this: any show could be our last show.

Tell me your ultimate rock'n'roll fantasy. Kristine: I'm living it. Toronto is a great city for music.

What are your plans for the coming year? Valerie: Demian will be leaving for school in September, so things are pretty up in the air as to what will happen next. We will be recording this August, though.