Chiodos Rock FemaleFirst's Socks Off

09 February 2009

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After totally falling in love with Chiodos’ latest album Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda I have now fallen in love with the band themselves - specifically Derrick Frost - following our interview at Manchester Academy last week.

As they look set to become one of the biggest rock bands of 2009, I caught up with the guys as they got ready for their show to find out about their latest release, getting rid of Lady Gaga and Pink and what they’d do with only nine minutes left to live.

Hey guys how are you enjoying your time in the UK?

Craigery Owens: It’s been fun! We did Wales and Scotland and Stoke and had the day off in Manchester yesterday and we’re playing here tonight. Although it’s pretty cold!

Bradley Bell: It’s gone by faster than usual, We’ve been here a week almost.

Is this the first time you’ve been over here?

Craigery: No, we’ve been coming here since 2005. Maybe once a year ever since then.

Your new album, Bone Palace Ballet has just been released here in the UK, why oh why has it taken so long?

Craigery: Well there was an original release through Equal Vision Records, our indie record label back in the US because we’re still indie back there and I think it was actually released here but it was very scattered and we couldn’t really decide what to do with it.

Our good friends at Warner Brothers stepped up after we decided to do a re-release of the record with a B-Side and DVD and pretty much everything you could ask for in a record and they asked us if they could put it out and we were really excited to be working with them but that’s why it took so long. The re-release came out in October or November in the US and over here in the UK just recently.

What makes you guys stand out from the crowd?

Bradley: To an open-minded listener you will find a lot to like in our album and we have a lot to offer all across the board from heavy riffs to melodic and catchy melodies.

Craigery; I think if you’re looking for a story or longevity and not the same old mundane thing then it’s something you would be interested in. It’s not something you can just listen to once if you’re a fair-weather music fan because then you won’t really be able to digest it as quickly as some of the more ‘mainstream music artists who are great, but just adopt a different style.

When we write it’s more of a vision and it’s less about a straight-up song and I think that’s something that people can attach themselves to and I think it’s all about relating and romanticising with the music you’re listening to and that’s something that we offer.

I think you guys are nothing that I’ve ever heard before, and the album is a ‘grower’

Craigery: Yes, that is something we always have a conversation about because our favourite bands have grown on us and I think it’s exiting. I didn’t like Alkaline Trio the first time I heard them and now they’re on of my favourite bands.

What is your all-time favourite gig?

Craigery: Mine was probably when we were on tour with Linkin Park in the US and we played a sold-out Madison Square Garden show in New York and not only was the show and the fans just great, despite the fact we played super early. But it was the fact that it was something I had dreamt of since I was a child.

Bradley: I don’t know, there has been so many amazing ones, from huge arenas to small house parties. One time at Halloween we played at a Fraternity party and I think I had more fun that night than I ever have! There was like 50 people in a room dancing like crazy. Just because it’s not the biggest gig doesn’t mean it’s not the funniest!

If I had never heard of you guys before, how would you describe your band in five words?

Both: Dynamic, intense, personable.

Craigery: I’m not really sure actually, I think one of the best thing about us is we can never be pigeon-holed. Oh, there you go, that’s five words; We Can Never Be Pigeon-Holed.

What one song sums the band up the best?

Craigery: I would say one of the older ones from our record All’s Well That Ends Well, and a song called The Words 'Best Friend' Become Redefined.

Bradley: Yeah, I think that has most of the elements that best represent us I think. For the new album I would say  Is it Progression if a Cannibal Uses a Fork?

I love your song titles, they’re amazing! But what one song would you cover given the chance?

Craigery: I have always wanted to cover Cashmere by Led Zeppelin.

Who do you think is the greatest band of all time?

Craigery: I’m going to go with Led Zeppelin.

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