BANDVIBE.COM had a stellar experience meeting up with CHIODOS during their first half of the Taste of Chaos 2007 tour! We got to see how they were doing on tour, along with asking them random questions along the way. In addition, we included some of our Bandviber Viewers to participate by submitting questions that they personally wanted to know about Chiodos!!! Overall, the guys from Chiodos are way chill, we enjoyed having the opportunity to hang out! Plus, they put on an amazing performance!

BAND MEMBERS:
Derrick Frost (drums), Craig Owens (vocals), Bradley Bell (keyboards), Pat McManaman (guitar), Matt Goddard (bass), Jason Hale (guitar)

Jenna Salazar got to meet up with Derrick and Brad over in San Francisco (Feb 17) for some inside scoop.

JENNA: How was the first night of the tour?
DERRICK: First opening night was kind of hectic since it was the night of the tour, and it just a lot of chaos. No pun intended.

JENNA: Was it more nerve racking, exciting or both?
DERRICK: We haven't really been playing our old songs, and we've just been writing our new stuff, so we've been used to sitting in a room with just 6 people. I'll admit my stomach was a little upset. It was fun, but after the show it was more like, alright, time to get back in it, and we're just going to be stronger than we've ever been.

JENNA: Did you prepare at for this?
DERRICK: You mean, like stretches? Haha.

JENNA: So you're playing with some pretty big bands. I know you've played with Coheed, so how does it compare?
DERRICK: This tour is just massive. And with the rotating stage, that's definitely a first for all of us. I've never even heard of a rotating stage!

JENNA: I know you had a day off yesterday, how was that?
DERRICK: We actually had a show yesterday.
BRAD: We played with 30 Seconds to Mars.
DERRICK: We had a battery problem on the bus too.
JENNA: How did that show go?
DERRICK: Good! It was really good.
BRAD: It wasn't our normal crowd, but it was really good. Its always good to play to new crowds.

JENNA: Word on the street is that you're all recording some new stuff.. How's that going?
DERRICK: We're still writing.
BRAD: Yeah, we have about half the album written.

JENNA: Is this a quick process for you guys or do you actually take the time to thoroughly go through ever song?
BRAD: No, we go through them. Everyone does.
DERRICK: What's so cool about the writing process is that there's six brains and six different thought processes. We don't scrap songs, but we will through something together and then go back and rearrange it. And every band writes differently.

JENNA: How on to the topic of your band name..
BRAD: What about it? You got a problem with it? Haha.
JENNA: Of course not! I was just going to ask a question, that's all! ... so who actually thought of it?
BRAD: It was named after some movie producers, but it was Matt and Craig.
JENNA: Yeah, you know I hate clowns because of those guys... ok so now I have fan questions. FANS! Rachel from Callahan, FL wants to know what's the craziest thing while in the studio?
DERRICK: I would have to say going to the karaoke bar with Brad, and this lady coming up, "Oooh I loove your voice!! Sing another song!!!" and it was just like... "Yeah.. ok, get me a beer maybe? I'll sing Michael Jackson for it" and she was all ,"YOU GOT IT! YOU GOT IT!" there's not really any good stories. I got a mullet once...

JENNA: And the last question I have is from Alex in Columbus, GA who wants to know when you're going there to play. They love you guys.
BRAD: Georgia?
DERRICK: I know there's Ohio... well... as soon as possible!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS OF TASTE OF CHAOS 2007 FROM SAN FRANCISCO!!

The following week, JenJen Reyes got some one-on-one time with Craig over in San Diego (Feb 21).

JENJEN: How’s your Taste of Chaos experience going so far here in the Pacific West Coast?
CRAIG: It’s going really good. I like this area a lot. I think the farther south we go the better shows we’ve gotten. I think that happens to basically every tour I’ve ever been on.

JENJEN: Are you enjoying the warmer weather here?
CRAIG: Yeah. I’m from Michigan and that s**t is so cold right now. I’m definitely enjoying it as you can see I’m wearing my flipflops. Everyone is all bundled up outside cuz they are not used to how cold it is. This s**t is like summer to me. I like it.

JENJEN: What bands on the Taste of Chaos are you most stoked about sharing the stage with?
CRAIG: I think all of them. I think all of them brings certain characteristics and certain energy to the table. I’m just excited to be a part of it.

JENJEN: On your most recent album, All’s Well That Ends Well, there’s the song called, “Lindsey Quit Lollygagging”. I was curious… How did you come up with the word “Lollygagging” and what does it mean?
CRAIG: Basically, that was the first song I ever wrote. I was 15 years old when I wrote that. That was about 7 years ago. I was obsessed with the movie called Blazing Saddles. It’s a Mel Brooks classic comedy from in the 80’s. They used that word a lot. It means stop messing around, stop lollygagging, stop.. you know goofying off so to speak. I was a little bit nervous with that on the record being that was the first song I ever wrote. Me on the acoustic guitar. I’m really stoked on how it came out.

JENJEN: It’s a very beautiful song. When I first listened to it, it gave me tingles.
CRAIG: Thank you.

JENJEN: With that song, I think it’s such a perfect song to end the album with. You know.. to close that chapter.
CRAIG: I agree. Anything can happen. Even the original All’s Well That Ends Well ended with our most poppy song. It’s happy. You know, the whole CD was all’s well that ends well.

JENJEN: So the new album definitely reflects on relationships and breakups, I was wondering how does it feel to know that your fans use your music to help them strengthen up a broken heart?
CRAIG: Yeah. It feels amazing. I remember just being able to sing along and cope and really relate to music to help me through. To this day, I use music as my therapy when I’m down and out. Whether it’s playing it or listening to something that puts me in different mood. I think it’s an awesome feeling. And I’ve gotten so many amazing letters and amazing things said to me letting me know that I have inspired and helped people. That’s the most payoff that anyone can ever imagine.

JENJEN: When you walk on the stage to perform, what are you first thoughts?
CRAIG: You know, I don’t think I ever really think. I just smile. Just the first second that I walk on that stage, it’s like the first day of summer when you walk out seeing the sun just hitting you. And you just do nothing but smile, and just enjoying what you’re doing.

JENJEN: Do you guys have a ritual before going on stage to sike yourselves up?
CRAIG: Everyone pretty much does their own thing. There’s nothing set like crazy voodoo s**t. A lot of times, we all do our personal warm-ups to get ourselves worked up and then we just go out there. A lot of it is just swinging it. We just go out the and just do our s**t, you know.

JENJEN: You play acoustic guitar, right? What other instruments do you play?
CRAIG: Um, bass and piano.

JENJEN: Do you name your instruments? Do you give them names? CRAIG: No, I don’t. I probably should. I felt like now after you said that, my instruments at mad at me or something. But I probably should start making some.

JENJEN: What’s the most creative gift you have received from a fan?
CRAIG: I’ve gotten a lot of paintings, pictures of me on stage.. I really like them. It might not be the most creative thing, but it’s the most time consuming creative thing in my mind, and I really appreciate that. Doing paintings is another sort of escape, and I’m glad to provide that with my music. And the fact that someone cares about me that much, and that they want to put so much time into something like that. So yeah, it would probably be a painting.

JENJEN: Is there an interview question that you always wanted to be asked, but haven’t been asked yet?
CRAIG: Yeah, but I’ll probably wait for it cuz that’s the whole fun part of it. It’s the spontaneous part of the interview, you know?

JENJEN: If you didn’t have a show to perform in San Diego, and you had a few days to just chill here. Where would you go, and what would you do?
CRAIG: Oh, I love San Diego. I’m actually looking into moving here, but I’ll probably just see a lot of my friends that are here in the area. Walk around. Go to Mission Beach and just chill. I really like this area a lot. It’s been one of my favorite cities since I’ve been touring. Also, hit up some zoos, Sea World… something non-music related.

JENJEN: I have a couple of fans that wanted to ask questions about Chiodos. Here’s one question from Giovana Quezada, 17. She’s from Baja California. She asks, “How do you use your voice like you do without injuring yourself.”
CRAIG: Basically, I think that vocals are mental. I think that there are too many people that have all these crazy vocal warm up stuff. It’s really simple. You clear out all this s**t, and then it’s all about the mental state. You go up there, and you know you can do it, and you just do it. It’s kinda like, have you ever heard when people get so intense and the adrenaline rush so much, they can lift cars to save lives? It’s kinda like that when I’m singing on stage. It just comes, and even if my voice isn’t warmed up sometimes, you can just feel this rush. It’s the intensity of it that I can release. I do it like that and not have that hurt.

JENJEN: Here’s another question from Jesse Castro, 17. He’s from Downey, CA. He asks, “I know girls do crazy things to get your attention, but what’s the craziest thing a guy has done to get your attention?”
CRAIG: I think guys do a lot crazier stuff than girls do. Hmmm, the craziest thing a dude got my attention… I mean they get naked. There are a lot of different things, I don’t know.

JENJEN: Last question… Is there anything you want to say to your San Diego fans?
CRAIG: Keep supporting local music. Like small shows in SOMA, Che Café.. go to places like that. Support local bands such as Lower Definition, Pierce the Veil, Underminded… There’s a lot of talent within your own scene, and don’t overlook it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS OF TASTE OF CHAOS 2007 FROM SAN DIEGO!!

On the next day, Evan Harris got to chill with Jason and Pat to see how they are doing in Los Angeles (Feb 22).

EVAN: So how’s the tour going so far?
JASON & PAT: Great.

EVAN: Can you tell me anything about it?
JASON: Well this is the biggest tour we’ve ever been on. It’s weird adjusting to it. The rotating stage makes the changeovers really quick.

EVAN: So this is the biggest tour you guys have been on so far?
PAT: Yea, it’s ridiculous.

EVAN: You guys seem to blend several different styles into your songs. How does that happen?
JASON: Listening to a lot of different stuff helps. ADD music I guess.

EVAN: What do you guys draw on for inspiration?
JASON: Nothing specifically, just good music.

EVAN: You guys are self described as unconventional. Is that something that you strive for?
JASON: It kind of just happens.

EVAN: It’s awesome when it just happens like that. Are there any inside jokes to your song names? The names are pretty long.
PAT: All of them. They’re all inside jokes.

EVAN: What creek would baby not last a minute on?
PAT: Dawson’s Creek.

EVAN: Why no hardcore dancing in the living room? You going to break something?
JASON: Skateboard through a chair.

EVAN: Did that happen?
JASON: Yea it did. I think it was this house that we stayed at.
PAT: In Utah.

EVAN: You have quite a few band members? Do you guys butt heads at all?
JASON: It’s pretty relaxed actually.
PAT: Having a bus helps.

EVAN: Are there certain roles that you guys play, aside from the instruments you play?
PAT: He used to drive the van a lot, but that’s about it.

EVAN: Who would you punch in the face?
JASON: I don’t know, I’m not really mad at anyone.
PAT: Me neither, who would you punch?

EVAN: Me? I plead the fifth. What’s the favorite post show snack? Or pre show snack for that matter?
JASON: Beer.

EVAN: You guys are working on another album right? How’s that going?
JASON: Good. We’ve need maybe four or five other songs. We’re gonna finish it after this tour. We did some recording before hand.

EVAN: How much time does it take before you can shred on guitar like you guys do? Years?
JASON: No, it just takes practice.

EVAN: Any major influences?
JASON: I’d say Queen is our over all, general, major influence. We listen to a lot of different stuff.

EVAN: What do you guys pop in the CD player lately?
JASON: Trapped in the Closet.

EVAN: What do you think the best show you guys have played on the tour so far is?
JASON: Probably San Diego. The fans were great.

EVAN: Hamburger, or chicken sandwich?
JASON: Chicken sandwich.
PAT: Veggie burger.

EVAN: What was the first CD you guys ever bought?
JASON: I think mine was Nineteen Naughty Three by Naughty By Nature.
PAT: Mine was the TLC one. Crazy Sexy Cool.

EVAN: What would your super power be if you could have one. Don’t say flying.
JASON: Super speed.

EVAN: If you guys were on Survivor, who would win?
JASON: Probably me.

EVAN: Who would you kick off?
PAT: Matt.

EVAN: A question from a fan: What’s your favorite song to play?
JASON: Best Friend.

EVAN: How bout to listen to?
JASON: Some of our new stuff.

EVAN: Is there anything to watch out for in the show tonight?
PAT: Watch out for the Easter Bunny.

EVAN: That scares me.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS OF TASTE OF CHAOS 2007 FROM LOS ANGELES!!

Here's Bandvibe's last TOC 2007 interview with Chiodos, Liz Wise wrapped it up with Craig over in Denver (Feb 27).

LIZ: Chiodos was supposed to play a show here (Denver) with Atreyu a few months back. You weren't able to make it. Do you remember what happened?
CRAIG: Actually, there were two shows, and we played the first one, and then I got sick so we couldn’t play the second one. Yeah, it was me… And we were actually supposed to be killed by Maris the Great that day. Do you know who Maris is?
LIZ: Yep, he’s around at a lot of shows.
CRAIG: I was really bummed about it, but I just couldn’t do it. I mean, I really sounded like death.

LIZ: Sometimes as an intro you guys have used Clint Mansell's "Summer Overture". Are you using that intro on this tour?
CRAIG: This time we switched it to just some bassy noise with a beat. Then we have our friend introducing us in a fucking bunny suit.
LIZ: So that song’s actually used in Requiem for a Dream. It's a strange coincidence that you're touring with Jared Leto, who was in the movie.
CRAIG: Yeah. We had to change it because Jared Leto is on this tour.
LIZ: Really? That’s why?
CRAIG: Well we changed it like last summer, but how awkward would it be if we played it now? But he’s a f*cking awesome guy so it might not have been awkward even if we did use it.
LIZ: Have you talked to him about the movie?
CRAIG: No I haven’t. Actually, each time we’ve seen each other it’s just been a casual conversation or quick hello. You know, we don’t really talk about business.

LIZ: As kids, were you huge fans of Killer Klowns from Outer Space? Since that's where the band's name comes from?
CRAIG: Obviously, yes, loved it. Actually, the Chiodos brothers that did the special effects took us out in LA, and actually gave me an original sculpture, and they all signed it. Pretty awesome, I was stoked. They did so much stuff though like the puppets in Alf and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
LIZ: Speaking of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, have you seen the previews for the new movie coming out?
CRAIG: Yeah and I can’t wait. I love that s**t.

LIZ: I read that you guys are influenced by Queen.
CRAIG: Yeah, I’d say our biggest influence is Queen.
LIZ: I grew up listening to them too. What’s your favorite song?
CRAIG: My favorite song… um, probably “Love of My Life”. It’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. I love it, I absolutely love it.

LIZ: Why do you think the Emo/Screamo music genres are so popular right now?
CRAIG: I think that the world’s been looking for something new, and I’ve been in the scene for years and years, and it was just a matter of time before it surfaced. I mean there has been certain bands that really brought it out like Coheed and Cambia, obviously My Chemical Romance, and they were just paving the way for a whole genre that’s been here for so long. I think kids are finally starting to see it. And with the technological advances and all the stuff on Myspace and the Internet even television, I think kids are exposed to a lot more of the underground music, and I think that it was just music they’d never seen before. It’s obviously my favorite genre, and I love how it stands out.

LIZ: Since you just mentioned the Internet and Myspace, and with all the downloading and piracy of music, do you think that CDs have died out?
CRAIG: Yeah. I think if you want to look at it statistically it is but I think music is still raging right now. You know what I mean?
LIZ: Well, in terms of record sales. Where kids who might have bought a CD three to five years ago are now downloading it. What do you think that’s doing to the American music industry?
CRAIG: I think some of it could be harmful, but it’s also giving exposure to bands that wouldn’t be able to get it otherwise. Everything has its pluses and minuses.

LIZ: When will you be recording your next album? After this tour?
CRAIG: It’s really up in the air; we still have to write it. We’re going to schedule times for late spring, early summer. That’s basically where our heads are at, but until the record’s written we obviously can’t go into the studio to record it.
LIZ: How do you guys typically approach the recording process?
CRAIG: Well this record will be three or four years in the making basically. All six of us write the records. We all get together, and it’s like one well-oiled machine.

LIZ: Kyle Wilmer, 21, from Cheyenne, Wyoming wanted to know who the band was that you guys brought with you from Spain.
CRAIG: No Children, from Spain and they f*cking rock. They’re still playing music, and they’re one of the most overlooked “punk” bands that I’ve ever been exposed to.

LIZ: Stephanie Errington, 20, from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina wants to know what kind of inspiration did you use to write the last track on your CD, the one after "Letters for Lovers"? She says, “I think that last track is absolutely incredible.”
CRAIG: I think that’s “Lindsay Quit Lollygagging” that she’s talking about, and that was actually the first song that I ever wrote. I was fifteen or sixteen years old, and I wrote it about this girl that I had this huge crush on, and I just wanted to get her attention. I think the farthest I ever got with her is that we went out and saw The Others and maybe held hands but she didn’t really like me that much.

LIZ: This is your last diary interview with Bandvibe.com. Have you enjoyed doing this with us?
CRAIG: Yeah, of course. Thanks for doing this. You guys are awesome.

LIZ: Anything else?
CRAIG: Um… Yes. Check out the bands Downers, the band Portugal The Man, and Number 12 Looks Like You. I try and give as much credit to unknown bands that are really kicking ass out there.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS TASTE OF CHAOS 2007 FROM DENVER!!

Check out Bandvibe's Taste of Chaos 2007 photo coverage w/Chiodos:
+San Francisco Event @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium - 02/17/07
+San Diego Event @ IPayOne Center - 02/21/07
+Los Angeles Event @ Long Beach Arena - 02/22/07
+Sacramento Event @ ARCO Arena - 02/23/07
+Denver Event @ Magness Arena - 02/27/07

For more information on Chiodos, log onto:
+http://www.chiodos.net/
+http://www.myspace.com/chiodos