Chiodos
Palace Music
2008-04-09
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The boys from up North are back and last we heard, they ain’t too happy about the lack of so-called sunshine in our parts of sunny California. You get spoiled after hanging out in Vegas for a few days. The band has climbed the ladder of the post-emo rock world to become heavy hitters in the scene, thanks in no small part to their latest album, Bone Palace Ballet (which debuted at no. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 late last year). Synthesis had the chance to chat with bassist Matt Goddard…who would much rather be Christina Aguilera actually. Well, kinda…
Of all the epic artist battles in the history of music: Nas vs. Jay-Z, Prince vs. Michael, Backstreet Boys vs. NSYNC. Who would you rather be right now? Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera?
Um, as far as sanity goes, I would much rather be in Christina’s shoes because Britney is just fucking weird. She’s crazy!
What do you think brought on her downfall?
Probably just the constant attention that she gets. You know, being bombarded with paparazzi kind of fucks you up.
What were some of the moves you guys have made over the years to get on the right track to get where you are right now?
With any kind of passion you have in life, there are always going to be sacrifices made. I don’t really have as many friends that I used to. I haven’t really been able to keep in contact. I’ve missed my little brother’s birthday the last four years in a row. To the people that you love, you gotta be like, “you gotta understand. This is part of my life and I have to do this.”
So do you have to make up twice as much later or do they just understand that that’s your life?
No, it’s hard but you have to do what you love. Sacrifices have to be made and whatnot.
Chiodos was supposed to play at the Sundwave Festival down in Australia in 2007 with Coheed and Cambria and other big names. You eventually pulled off the tour. What happened?
Well, we got offered the Linkin Park tour and a record on radio. We figured that it might be in our best interest, that it would probably be better for us, to be in the States while that song [“Lexington (Joey Pea-Pot With A Monkey Face)”] was going to be pushed on radio. It was a hard decision but would just be better for us to be in the States.
You guys were at SXSW and did a duet with Anthony Green. How was working with him and the Equal Vision family atmosphere?
Oh, it’s great! On the last Warped Tour we hung out with Circa Survive all the time. We love those guys. We’ve been friends with them for a while. It was kind of like a last minute thing and [we were] like, “Hey, let’s play together for the show” and he was down. He’s a cool guy.
I also heard that Chiodos is going on another tour this year called Beer! The Musical! Who’s on it and how’d you come up with the name?
Actually, Protest the Hero came up with it. We were with those guys and it’s a good name to have. We love being ridiculous [laughs].
I know that you guys are always on tour but when you’re not, when you’re at home, what’s the average day or weekend like for you? What kind of breakfast do you have? What are you doing midday?
Okay. I live in this little town and I live next to this nice place and as far as the morning, I make sure my wife has breakfast. I make her breakfast, rush her to school and then I go eat leftovers and probably sit around a bit to myself.
Speaking of school, have you ever had a chance to go to college? Would you ever even consider going?
I went for a semester, if that. No, I’ll probably go back. My major was graphic design. I do a lot of stuff on the side anyway. I plan [on] starting a Web site off. A place to sell T-shirts and a line of stuff.
I heard you guys are into reading and current events. What particularly in the news right now that has caught your attention or concern?
I hate to get political, but just the whole Obama-Hillary stuff that’s going on…
Yeah, what do think of that?
Oh my gosh! When I hear Hillary in a debate, it’s like my mom going at me. Desperate for attention and obviously not a good candidate for presidency at all.
Awesome, Obama ’08!
[Laughs] Yes!
Of all the epic artist battles in the history of music: Nas vs. Jay-Z, Prince vs. Michael, Backstreet Boys vs. NSYNC. Who would you rather be right now? Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera?
Um, as far as sanity goes, I would much rather be in Christina’s shoes because Britney is just fucking weird. She’s crazy!
What do you think brought on her downfall?
Probably just the constant attention that she gets. You know, being bombarded with paparazzi kind of fucks you up.
What were some of the moves you guys have made over the years to get on the right track to get where you are right now?
With any kind of passion you have in life, there are always going to be sacrifices made. I don’t really have as many friends that I used to. I haven’t really been able to keep in contact. I’ve missed my little brother’s birthday the last four years in a row. To the people that you love, you gotta be like, “you gotta understand. This is part of my life and I have to do this.”
So do you have to make up twice as much later or do they just understand that that’s your life?
No, it’s hard but you have to do what you love. Sacrifices have to be made and whatnot.
Chiodos was supposed to play at the Sundwave Festival down in Australia in 2007 with Coheed and Cambria and other big names. You eventually pulled off the tour. What happened?
Well, we got offered the Linkin Park tour and a record on radio. We figured that it might be in our best interest, that it would probably be better for us, to be in the States while that song [“Lexington (Joey Pea-Pot With A Monkey Face)”] was going to be pushed on radio. It was a hard decision but would just be better for us to be in the States.
You guys were at SXSW and did a duet with Anthony Green. How was working with him and the Equal Vision family atmosphere?
Oh, it’s great! On the last Warped Tour we hung out with Circa Survive all the time. We love those guys. We’ve been friends with them for a while. It was kind of like a last minute thing and [we were] like, “Hey, let’s play together for the show” and he was down. He’s a cool guy.
I also heard that Chiodos is going on another tour this year called Beer! The Musical! Who’s on it and how’d you come up with the name?
Actually, Protest the Hero came up with it. We were with those guys and it’s a good name to have. We love being ridiculous [laughs].
I know that you guys are always on tour but when you’re not, when you’re at home, what’s the average day or weekend like for you? What kind of breakfast do you have? What are you doing midday?
Okay. I live in this little town and I live next to this nice place and as far as the morning, I make sure my wife has breakfast. I make her breakfast, rush her to school and then I go eat leftovers and probably sit around a bit to myself.
Speaking of school, have you ever had a chance to go to college? Would you ever even consider going?
I went for a semester, if that. No, I’ll probably go back. My major was graphic design. I do a lot of stuff on the side anyway. I plan [on] starting a Web site off. A place to sell T-shirts and a line of stuff.
I heard you guys are into reading and current events. What particularly in the news right now that has caught your attention or concern?
I hate to get political, but just the whole Obama-Hillary stuff that’s going on…
Yeah, what do think of that?
Oh my gosh! When I hear Hillary in a debate, it’s like my mom going at me. Desperate for attention and obviously not a good candidate for presidency at all.
Awesome, Obama ’08!
[Laughs] Yes!
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Chiodos
Bio[+]The members of Chiodos hail from Flint, MI. The group formed in high school as The Chiodos Bros., and in 2002, they recorded a demo titled The Best Way to Ruin Your Life. After frontman Craig Owens' bout with pneumonia, the band, now functioning simply as Chiodos, released All's Well That Ends Well in 2005 for Equal Vision Records. Bone Palace Ballet is the group's second album for Equal Vision.Interview
Chiodos (current page)
Bio[+]
The members of Chiodos hail from Flint, MI. The group formed in high school as The Chiodos Bros., and in 2002, they recorded a demo titled The Best Way to Ruin Your Life. After frontman Craig Owens' bout with pneumonia, the band, now functioning simply as Chiodos, released All's Well That Ends Well in 2005 for Equal Vision Records. Bone Palace Ballet is the group's second album for Equal Vision.Interview
Chiodos (current page)