antiMusic: I guess, first things first. What happened to The Distillers and is it official that they are no more?

Ryan: I have no idea....Andy quit in January, that sort of started it all, I guess. There were a few months of not knowing what the hell was going on. I had joined another band with some very big musicians, and quit that because Brody said she wanted to put The Distillers back together and look for a new drummer. I got f***ed on that one ....I got a letter from the band's lawyer stating that Brody has left the band and the band is deemed to have broken up. Although now I hear the band's still together, the band's management won't say either way, and no-one's returning my calls. I also read in NME that I've quit the band. Hell, maybe it's just a way to phase me out..

antiMusic: What were the factors leading to the breakup?

Ryan: Again, I have no idea. I guess other people's ulterior motives. I had absolutely nothing to do with the end of The Distillers. I got a phone call saying Andy quit, then another saying the band was over...then over about 5 months calls saying the band was on again off again. I wanted to keep going. If Andy didn't want to do it anymore, then we can find another drummer. I have nothing against anyone from the band, but I don't think everyone needs to stop what they love because of one person, unless I was the only one who loved it. I know Brody cannot not make music, so I figured once things settled we'd move on. Maybe that's what they're doing now....

antiMusic: Tell us about your new project The Dead Life. Who is in the band, direction of the material and what is your involvement?

Ryan: The Dead Life pretty much started when I was in high school, although that name was just thought of a few months back...it's a lot of stuff that I've been carrying in my head for years. Musically it's hard to describe right now, as I've yet to record the vocals, and I change and adjust things daily. I always hear f***ing organ music, in everything, I think - wait, this melody would sound perfect with an organ right here...and as it is right now none of the songs have any organs...well yet anyway.