Interview with Chiodos - Vans Warped Tour Pomona 2013

It was awesome to get a few minutes of time from a couple of my favorite Chiodos guys, [because sometimes the guys who aren't the front-men have the most to say] Derrick and Pat, and learn a little more about the place they started and how things came about, now that you can say they're "pretty well-known" ;) (and internationally at that!) The guys were super friendly, fun to talk to, and totally on the same page when it came to answering my questions.

They're on Warped Tour this year, as we learned at the Kickoff party back in March, when Craig played an acoustic set. Be sure to check them out when they come to a city near you! And if by chance you've never heard of them, I'll leave you some informative links below, so you can put them on your "to listen to" list.

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When you started off with the band, what did you imagine for yourselves and where it would take you, compared to where it has?

Chiodos @ WT Pomona, by Scutterbug Photography

Didn't imagine it was going very far. It's definitely a lot different than I imagined. You don't really plan for it to be anything, if it happens, that's great. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I think as a musician, you start off doing it for the love of music, and you're not really looking for any kind of reward from that. It's rewarding enough. The music is... what it is. That's what you reward yourself with, creating something.

What has it been like, touring with different bands, visiting so many countries, and huge tours?

After a while it blurs together, touring with a bunch of different bands; you become good friends and establish relationships with certain people, but there's a lot of people you don't see often, because they're doing the same thing as you and travel a lot. It's been a great experience, always meeting new people is fun.

And touring the world is also great. Being able to see new things is the best. I can't complain.

What has been your favorite moment or city?

It's really hard to choose, because so many places are great. people spend their hard earned money to go to a concert in general. Most frequently and for the longest time, Chicago is one of those really hot spots for us. When we play shows there, it's always incredible. The kids are always going nuts there. San Diego is really good too. Anywhere in California. Also Texas is always good. And anywhere up on the East Coast. And after a while, anywhere. Those stand out the most.

What has been the inspiration that has kept you going, wanting to make music, and to continue on?

Derrick Frost @ Warped Tour Pomona, photo by Scutterbug Photography

Shows are always fun. My inspiration is not having to get a real job. Because I've worked those and it's not as fun. It's very hard to really be fortunate enough to be put in a position where you can do something you love and to be able to support yourself that way. A lot of people go to work everyday and are not loving what they do and that's unfortunate. It's nice - that's my motivation - knowing how much I love music and how I would rather do that than something I hate.
Something you enjoy, and not just for a paycheck.                                                

What are your tour woes, things you miss when you're on the road?

The usual things. Your own shower. We have a shower, but it's one of those soap on, rinse off, kind of things. My own bed. Simple things. Family, friends, wife [Pat], animals. The little things. The important things, but they are little. Things you take for granted.

If you could collaborate with one person, who would it be? (Living or dead.)

Pat: Kanye West.

Pat & Derrick post-interview (picture by ULR)

Derrick: In the past, it would have been kind of cool to do something with The Rolling Stones. They were really interesting. When I was growing up as a kid, one of my favorite bands when I was in highchool was the band Thursday. That would be great. Or Kanye. He's pretty awesome; definitely
the most unique.

What do you think of Yeezus, speaking of Kanye?

Heard a song or two. Really liked it. Never really disappointed by any of his music or his records. I'm more entertained by his antics, which makes me like him even more.

Thoughts on Jay-Z releasing his album through the Samsung app?

I like interesting, new ideas like that. Different ways for music to be distributed. Getting those new ideas out. Respect his marketability sense. He makes so much money and is so successful because he does something clever like that and something so outside the box.

Now having phones and everyone having apps, it's easier to accept things like this. Works better with someone huge like him. With someone established like him, he knows people will buy it regardless. That's pretty awesome. I didn't actually know about it, I'll have to research it.

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