Old Canes, a project from The Appleseed Cast's Christopher Crisci and members of The Minus Story and The Casket Lottery, released their debut CD, "Early Morning Hymns," in 2004. The Spectrum caught up with Crisci during some off time in between projects.
Did you grow up in Kansas? What do you like about it?
My dad was in the Navy, so when I was young we moved around a little: San Fran; Union, N.J.; and San Diego, where we ended up for a long time. I lived in L.A. for a few years, and finally moved to Lawrence in 1998. We moved here for many reasons. The most important, I guess, being that we fell in love with it.
What did you grow up listening to?
When I was really young it was Top 40. Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, or whatever. When you're really young, it's not really an active thing, you just listen to what's on. Then there was what is now called classic rock, then punk rock, alternative ... in high school I think U2 and the Cure were my favorite bands. This is "Joshua Tree" and "Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me"-era.
Records you've been listening to/books you've been reading/films you've enjoyed?
Right now I'm reading "The Brothers Karamazov" by Dostoevsky. I just finished a book called "The Silmarillion" by Tolkien, which was very interesting. I'm also reading "Sex Time and Power" by L. Shlain, which is also very interesting. As far as music, I guess I really haven't been listening to too much besides classic rock on the radio, or whatever someone else has on. I've put on that new Elliot Smith a few times.
What is the Appleseed Cast up to? Can you give us any details on new work?
Well, Nate Jr. (of Old Canes and The Casket Lottery) has replaced Josh as our drummer, and we're working on some new songs. We'd like to have a new album out sometime next year. We're hoping to get into the studio in the spring.
Do you have any other projects other than the Cast and Canes?
I've had a couple here and there, but haven't really put anything together. I've got two things in mind I might like to do in the future, but I've got enough on my plate right now, and I don't think I'll be doing anything more for a while.
Have you been overseas? If so, how was the reception?
Appleseed has been to Europe about four times, but Old Canes never has ... unless you count that in-store show, which happened to be in Germany.
What bands do you open for/headline on your dream tour (dead or alive)?
Dead or Alive? Led Zeppelin. Bob Dylan. Pink Floyd. The Stones.
Follow any sports?
I like sports. I've been following KU (Kansas Jayhawks) basketball this year.
What do you do when you have off time from touring and recording?
It seems like I'm always doing one or the other. I try to make my money stretch from month to month for rent.
Do you have a job away from music?
I've had various jobs. I need to find one soon ... but right now I'm unemployed.
Your vocals are truly unique. Did you cultivate it, or did it come naturally?
I wish I could cultivate something. I'm not really happy with my vocals, and work on singing, but what's there is there, and I don't feel like I've made much headway. I just work with what I've got.
If you will, talk a little about the experience of making something as sonically complex as the Appleseed Cast's "Low Level Owl."
It's not really something we thought about. We recorded a lot of the noisy tracks at home, and flew them in at the studio. That way we had a lot of time to experiment and just mess around with sounds, before we had to start paying $500 a day. Ed Rose also did a fantastic job with that record. We had a vision of what we wanted, and he was able to not just facilitate that, but to actually add to it.
What are your feelings on Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band?
I love them. He's the boss, and they're the employees.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
