As the hardcore musical classification watched its heart beat into different genres, a phoenix rose from these interspersed ashes strewn on the streets of Davison, Mich. Dressed to impress and equipped to debilitate, the Motor City's rara avis Chiodos began and soon begot a hoard of dedicated followers and reputation second to none.
With the larger-than-life presence of front man Craig Owens, whose evil squalls and heavenly high-pitched vocals sound as if they were spawned from the scene god of scream-filled serenades, keyboardist and mustache aficionado Bradley Bell, guitarists Jason Hale and Pat McManaman, beardsman, drummer and avid eBay salesman Derrick Frost and the humble and pocket-placed bassist Matt Goddard, the Davison sextet dedicated their lives to the road - ever-touring and delivering an intensity every night that 10 cities combined couldn't recreate.
Their non-stop tour schedule and allegiance to re-writing their genre has hoisted them above their peers and on top of the ever-evolving post-hardcore, operatic-rock stage. With the eyes of adoring fans and the pressure of an industry marked by success beating down upon them, the time is now for Chiodos to revel in the spotlight and maintain their spot atop the Equal Vision (records) set. Bassist Matt Goddard recently offered his views on the state of all things Chiodos.
"If the biggest we got is right now, I would be happy," said Goddard. "I'm pretty comfortable with the level we're at right now and I feel pretty successful and that we've done pretty well, but the sky's the limit. As long as everyone's having fun and everyone's getting along and everyone's having a beer in their hand, then I'm stoked."
Briefly and earnestly, he offered his feelings on the re-release of their '07 top five charting release Bone Palace Ballet.
"We're really stoked on getting that out and released and some new songs, so, we're just really stoked on it," Goddard said.
Speaking of the aforementioned new tunage, listeners might have noticed that the two new tracks are significantly heavier than most of the songs on the original release, done much in the same vein of their explosive major label debut Alls Well That Ends Well. Those hoping for a resurge of heaviness on the Chiodos front might want to stop before they get ahead of themselves, as the band writes more so for the moment, not the genre.
"When we write songs we don't really have like a 'lets make this song sound like this or sound like that,' we just kinda do whatever and uh, you know we don't really try to fit into a mold or whatever. We kind of write for ourselves," Goddard said.
Key to the writing process, alongside candles, Bukowski and old VHS's of the WWF, is lead singer and lyricist Craig Owens. Known as much for his medical and psychological problems as he is for his presence, Owens often finds himself in the news and on the tongue. Goddard keeps Owens' media critique and credentials at bay with his concern for his health and disregard for the words of those on the outside.
"Most importantly he's doing good, so that's all that really matters," Goddard said. "As far as like media sh*t, I don't keep up with it so I'm just more concerned about him. I don't keep up with it, I don't really give a sh*t, as long as he's alright that's all that really matters."
When healthy, Owens and Keyboardist Bell co-exist in their sunny side project Cinematic Sunrise. Though they're readily spreading their seeds outside of the Chiodos universe, Goddard is confident that their bond is stronger than any off-chute.
"It's all gravy. Chiodos will always be Chiodos," he said.
Exuding humility and acceptance, Goddard playfully orated his oft used masked of anonymity.
"Its nice. I find it kind of ironic and funny," Goddard said. "I mean, at like those big festival shows, for the most part, most of us can kinda just walk around and not get noticed but shows like this one, were headlining, I mean everyone's gonna get mobbed. I can get away with, most of us can get away with being anonymous; yeah Craig will usually get mobbed but I can pull it off on those festival shows."
Flying under the radar or dead center, the band is always working on new material. With most of December and January off, what can one expect from the six-piece?
"We are writing. We have just a bunch of parts right now. We plan on really getting down to business in January and getting some stuff done, some songs written as we get ready for the next album," Goddard said.
But before they head home and into seclusion, they'll ride out their seemingly endless road of touring. Known for their all-out performances and huge draw, Chiodos go out of their way to deliver a complete show, every time.
"We like to make it like a complete package where people want to go to the show for multiple reasons, not just for one band," Goddard said. "You gottta make it, especially with how the economy's has been, as appealing as possible and make people have multiple reasons to go to the show."
Rest assured that their performance alone is more than enough to warrant unquestioned attendance. With that being said, supporting acts Silverstein, Escape the Fate, Alesana and A Skylit Drive further baste a plump bill.
Still not sold on going to Monday's 5:30 show at the Town Ballroom? Goddard dishes one final detail on the night's forthcoming festivities.
"F*ckin crazy lights."
Fair enough.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
