Interview — Chiodos

By: Beth Van Boxtel

Chiodos or CHEE-OH-DOSE is one of those bands that have captured the hearts of many progressive-rock, hardcore thrill seekers. Since the band’s inception, they have surfaced over other bands that fall short in the post-hardcore and screamo era, even with a few lineup changes. ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, their latest full-length, was released only a few short months ago on Equal Vision Records. Each song on the album is carefully crafted so that it always keep the listener surprised and wanting more powerful vocals, chilling screams, meddling guitars, and bizarre piano tunes. In the midst of their busy touring schedule, I caught up with vocalist Craig Owens after waking from a mid-afternoon nap to chat about his latest endeavors.

SKRATCH: First off, I heard that you recently contributed to The Sound of Animals Fighting album that is coming out. Did you do just two tracks?
CRAIG: Yeah, I did two tracks. One is a cappella with just me singing, and I think that’s what’s going to start off the record. It’s one-and-a-half to two minutes of just me singing this classical piece that I wrote. Then I did vocals on a song called “Midnight Drive Through El Paso” which is a crazy, techno song. The new album is amazing. I can’t wait for everybody to hear it.

SKRATCH: Do you know when that will be released?
CRAIG: Early next year.

SKRATCH: And you also have a side project going, Cinematic Sunrise. Are you holding that off until you promote the new Chiodos album a little more?
CRAIG: Yeah, we’re doing touring out on the road right now until December 21st. Then I’ll go into the studio to record a Cinematic Sunrise EP, which will probably be six songs. We’re just going to post them all online and make them available for free for all the kids. I start recording that on January 2nd.

SKRATCH: Now focusing on the purpose of this interview, let’s talk about Chiodos. I heard the band is named after two Italian directors, The Chiodos Brothers. But then the band’s name changed the name from The Chiodos Bros. to Chiodos when the lineup changed. Was that your choice or your label’s choice?
CRAIG: It was a collective decision. We, as a band, wanted to do it for the member change situation.

SKRATCH: And the album art on this album is from the same artist that was used for the last album. Do you really like Paul Romano’s style?
CRAIG: Yeah I absolutely love his work. He’s drawing up a half-sleeve [tattoo] for my arm. I already have some of his work and I admire what he does.

SKRATCH: How did you find him?
CRAIG: He did this band, Mastodon’s work. And Leviathan. So I said, “Sweet! Let’s use him!”

SKRATCH: Recently you recorded a video for the first single “One Day Women Will All Become Monsters.” And it’s been released on October 11th through Yahoo! Music’s website. Anything weird or cool happen during the video shoot?
CRAIG: Umm yeah. I got to kiss the zombie girl. I just thought that was really cool. It just tasted like a bunch of makeup. [Laughs] It was ridiculous.

SKRATCH: So the Chiodos album came out in July, but how long ago were the songs written?
CRAIG: Actually some of the songs were written well over a year-and-a-half ago. We had a bunch of songs written and we had ready prior to signing with Equal Vision. I think we wrote two songs after. But then I was sick for about four months. My lung collapsed on tour and I had to re-learn how to walk and everything. We dealt with that. And then we figured out what label to go with. Then went into the studio and recorded.

SKRATCH: Current tour. You’re out with The Fall of Troy. Has it been a better tour this time around than the tour with He Is Legend?
CRAIG: Both of them were amazing. It’s fun now because we’ve actually ended up headlining the whole tour. It’s great to see so many kids out and the album is being accepted so well. Every single night is just a huge sing-a-long. It’s great.

SKRATCH: Are there any particular songs that kids love singing along to?
CRAIG: A lot of it is “Baby, You Wouldn’t Last a Minute On the Creek.” And then “There’s No Penguins in Alaska.”

SKRATCH: What percentage of the songs you play during your set on your current tour is from your latest album?
CRAIG: One hundred percent. I think we busted out an old song here and there, like twice.

SKRATCH: Well that’s good to promote your album like that.
CRAIG: Yeah definitely. We’re pushing it 100% right now.

SKRATCH: Your 2006 tour plans. We’ve already touched on it, but anything set in stone yet for Chiodos?
CRAIG: Actually we have really really huge plans that I can’t tell you about until it’s confirmed, but we’re going to tour non-stop through the year. There’s going to be some crazy-huge tours. I’m really really excited.

SKRATCH: What’s your local scene like back home in Michigan? Are there sold-out shows every time?
CRAIG: Oh yeah. We play huge-capacity venues.

[Phone cuts out. Craig calls back to make sure I ask him the last question]

SKRATCH: Any bands back home that you’d like to plug?
CRAIG: The Weakend and Anathallo. They’re both unsigned.

Catch Chiodos at a nearby venue on one of their many tours. For tour info or free music downloads, visit their website at www.chiodos.net.

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