|
Perhaps it’s that widely eclectic formula and agility in switching sonic gears that allows Chiodos to maintain an audience as diverse as the music they make. The group’s incendiary live shows at varied venues and events—from the world famous Vans Warped and Taste of Chaos Tours to the Bamboozle Festival —have reaped them an ever-bulging fan base drawn to their distinct fusion of emo, classic rock, hardcore, and progressive metal.
“I think our fans get something from our music that they can’t find in other bands,” Brad says of Chiodos’ loyal following. “We’re a little different from what people are used to.” To which Matt adds, “We are very blessed. The dedication that our fans, or the Chiodos Army as we call them, have toward us is phenomenal. It’s exciting to see them get so stoked about something that we’ve created.”
Whether it’s Owens taking his nightly walk across the top of the crowd—as he did on the band’s Fall ’07 sold-out headlining trek—or guitarist Pat McManaman diving from the balconies of assorted venues, the fear that a member of the band might fall and break a limb has been alleviated by the complete and utter trust Chiodos has in its fans. After all, the rock & roll acrobatics are all part of the group’s ultimate goal: to give Chiodos fans a performance that will stay with them. “We’re giving our fans an experience, a memory,” Brad explains. “So if Craig goes walking out on top of the crowd, or if one of us climbs up onto something, it’s kind of thrilling. It gives people something to talk about and remember.”
So what was going through their heads when they dropped in at #5 on the Top 200? “We never could have expected that kind of thing. We were all shocked and excited by the news,” Brad says.
“You know, we’re living proof that bands can promote themselves and get themselves out there without the help of a major label,” Goddard continues. “Word of mouth and the internet were both big things for us. We toured our asses off for several years and word got around about us. And we wound up having Equal Vision’s highest charting record ever.”
With their eyes on the Linkin Park trek and the rest of the world in 2008, Chiodos’ founding keyboardist considers the support slot “a great opportunity for us to have our music heard by 10,000 potential new fans each night.” Adds Matt, “We’re Chiodos. Here we are. Get Ready.’ That’s our attitude.”
As Chiodos steps into the spotlight, one might assume they’re a little apprehensive. They’re anything but. “We’re psyched,” Brad acknowledges. “We’ve always sort of had the dream of being a big band. I don’t know if it will happen for us, but I’d be lying to say I haven’t thought about it.”
Jason and Pat use Dean Markley Blue
Steel Electric REG, and Matt plays Blue
Steel NPS ML.
Matt Goddard, Bassist, said of his Dean Markley strings:
They’re so awesome I want to make a g-string… with
their g-strings!
Be sure to visit the Chiodos website at:
www.Chiodos.net.
|
