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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Warped Tour Kickoff 2013 - Club Nokia - March 28, 2013

Brian Marquis, Scutterbug Photography

The evening started off with Brian Marquis looking sharp in a fancy shirt and tie, playing a captivating acoustic set, with lights that made the stage look like space, and one the crowd seemed to be waiting for. He's one that will make Warped Tour's Acoustic Basement worth visiting. (Also the man who created and runs it, for those who don't know!) Later realizing the show started and ended with acoustic sets made the whole night feel kind of cozy, even though the entire venue was totally packed. Echosmith (signed to Warner Bros. Records) was a pleasant surprise, as when they stepped up on the stage, the delicate, young female lead singer, Sydney, and her three accompanying young male band members seemed almost timid and very innocent looking. Sydney's outfit almost looked out of place with such a sweet face! I can say the crowd was probably not expecting such a strong, versatile voice to come out of such a tiny little lady, just the same way that I was surprised the first time I heard them. They rocked out and got the crowd interacting and moving around. Although I personally think Sydney's voice is perfect for acoustic performances, the band's performance was one of my favorites of the night. The show continued with one of the most amusing bands likely to have ever graced a fairly big time stage, New Beat Fund. They're California locals and had something

New Beat Fund, Scutterbug Photography

different going on than most Warped Tour concert-goers, Club Nokia, and myself have ever seen - a man in a ghost costume dancing on stage. Although they seemed out of place with the rest of the performers of the night, their lackadaisical performance seemed to be quite well received. They got the audience laughing and involved in their set, which seems to be rare of a newly emerging band or one that the crowd isn't familiar with.

Dia Frampton, Scutterbug Photography

It was an ultimate pleasure to see up close and personal performances by NBC's The Voice beautiful alums: season 1 runner-up, Dia Frampton (also of Meg & Dia), Juliet Simms, (also of Automatic Loveletter) and Charlotte Sometimes. The crowd seemed to be quite a fan of the strong, female vocal talents of the night. There's just something about that versatile ability that never seems to let you down - and all of these ladies' performances were impressive as usual.

Dia Frampton looked stunning as she took the stage with her usual raw, uplifting, soulful voice and subsequently wooed the crowd (which seemed to be dominated by men) with more than her good looks. Although The Voice may not be everyone's favorite in terms of television, it's safe to say she was appreciated nonetheless.

Juliet Simms, Scutterbug Photography

Juliet Simms is known by her many different forays into the music business, and being the singer for Automatic Loveletter is just one of them. It definitely gave her an advantage to be well known by the audience, many of whom were looking forward to and hoping for the "big" performances. (She showed up with boyfriend Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides, who will also be on Warped Tour 2013.) 

Her voice has always seemed to be haunting and aggressive, in a way that has set her apart from many musicians, and even sitting down on a stool down stage, she brought her powerful voice that filled the room.

Charlotte Sometimes was a singer who I'd never had the pleasure of hearing before, but the crowd sure seemed to know her - they were whooping and cheering like crazy before she even started her set. Kicking off her shoes, and getting comfortable, she took the stage by storm with confidence - her voice loud and far reaching. She sounds a lot like Fiona Apple, who funny enough, Charlotte told me earlier in the evening during her interview, is one of her musical inspirations.

MC Lars, Scutterbug Photography

MC Lars, who I've been a personal fan of for years, got on stage wearing a Zelda Atari game around his neck, had his laptop rap station set up, as well as being accompanied by Andrea Blunt, on the violin. Not only was it surprising to see how many people in the audience knew MC Lars and his music, but at first there were murmurs and comments about why Lars would have a violin player/back-up singer with him and how that would fit in. As usual, he seemed to wing it and have the confidence that he could get away with anything. He played a few fan favorites,
including Flow like Poe, The Raven, Download This Song, and Hipster Girl. 

His fascination bordering on obsession with Edgar Allen Poe is both amusing and perplexing to some, but it sure makes for interesting "laptop rap." The beach balls he had bouncing around with notes and faces taped to them rounded things out for a very interesting set.

Big Chocolate, Scutterbug Photography

DJ Big Chocolate, like MC Lars, had a bigger fan base than one might realize before he got on stage. Apparently his listeners have traveled down the coast from Seattle, because the crowd was super psyched to hear him and his extra-long set. Not the type of music you would typically expect to hear on a big Warped Tour stage, but nonetheless an interesting set. As he says on his SoundCloud, "Forever evolving or always getting bored," Big Chocolate always seems to be up to something different. While his set may not have been everyone's personal cup of tea, especially those who were there especially for Chiodos (which there were many), we all know people like to have different types of music to listen to and it was certainly fun to mix it up from all of the female vocalists performing.

Gin Wigmore, Scutterbug Photography

Gin Wigmore, New Zealand native rocked the stage with a full band (she's better known as a singer/song-writer) and her sassy voice and moves. It's hard to speak for everyone, but it wouldn't be a shock if many were surprised to hear that she was much more than a pretty face. It was an enjoyable combination of the cheerful music paired with her accented voice. She's been compared to Amy Winehouse, a connection that certainly seems to fit well. Besides having absolute star quality, her songs are like earworms in the sense that they made a lasting impression after the show.

Craig Owens, Scutterbug Photography

Attendees seemed to be most excited for what would be the last two sets of the night, Chiodos and Craig Owens acoustic. Unfortunately, one of the members of Chiodos could not be there due to reasons I'm notat liberty to release, so Craig put together a 3-part acoustic set and had the crowd crooning along to well-known songs from Chiodos, as well as a personal favorite, "You Told Me You Loved Me," from Cinematic Sunrise. 

All in all, it seems that this was a great sample of the diversity that will be displayed at Warped Tour 2013 and all of the up and coming artists that show-goers will be discovering. Despite the controversy that the bands playing the last few years have not lived up to expectations of previous years, it's still exciting enough for people to come out to Warped dates and see what these artists have to offer.

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You can check out all of the above bands and artists on Facebook at the clickable link through their names, and check out the page for my talented friend Lan Nguyen (all photos above) on her Facebook at Scutterbug Photography.


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