Monday, January 23, 2012

Interview with CHaMOMILE

Critical Mass:  Thanks for taking the time to talk with Critical Mass guys. For those who may be new to CHaMOMILE can you give us a little history on the band and how you guys got together?

 BOTH: We Started in 2009 to play a show with some friends, it wasn't really serious.  We just wanted to play a show with them. We had two days to put a set list together and pull it off.  It was what it was.  CHaMOMILE wans't really serious, it was just a chance to play that show.  We just kind of kept going and kept getting offered shows.  We never tried to be popular, it just kind of happened. 

JON:  I've been in and out of bands for a long time...

CHRIS:  I was in a band called the HOMERS during high school.  I just decided to buy a kit to put in my basement after college. 

JON:  Being brothers we have played music on and off again together, since...4th grade or something.  We both have the same drive, interest, styles etc...  It just made sense to play in a band together.

CM: Your newest release is called "5 Year Nightmare" which refers to your drummers battle with cancer. First off, how is he doing?

JON:Fine?

CHRIS:  I recently just passed five years remission, and i feel better than ever.  It's just the bills that kill, playing music is a good way to forget about that whole mess.


CM: Do any of the songs on the album reflect Chris' battle and his strength to get better?

JON: No, not really.  Five year Nightmare was a band name we were throwing around before CHaMOMILE.
 
CM: Is the songwriting process a group effort or do each of you bring your own songs to the group?

JON: I write the songs, He writes the Drums.  I give most the ideas and sometimes I have the full song to bring and sometimes we just hash it out. 

CM: I love the bands sound and DIY ethic. Who influenced you guys as a musical unit?

BOTH:  Thanks, our biggest influence was probably Mid-West local punk bands.  Psycho Nubs, Dry Rot...Those guys have been and still are really fucking cool to us.

CHRIS: 80's punk rock, Screeching Weasel, Social Distortion.

JON: Definitely Bad Religion..Sonic Youth, Big Black.

CM: Will the band continue to release it's own material? Or are you guys gonna shop around for an indie label at some point?

CHRIS:  I don't know, is that how you get a label?  I thought they found you...

JON: I don't know how it works.

CHRIS:  We just play to have fun.  We had a four track and we could just do everything ourselves...

JON:  Until it caught on fire.


CM: Do you guys play out much? And are there any plans for a tour in the near future?

JON:  We did at first, but then it was getting to be a bit much.  We kind of went into the basement and I wouldn't say re-wrote everything..just kind of wood-shedded.  Came up with better songs.

CHRIS:  Right now we try to play once a month, but our vehicle situation is pretty fucked.

JON:  I think a tour could be expected and more shows...if things work out this year financially. 

CM: Will we be seeing any new material in 2012?

JON: Definitely.  As long as we have instruments and a place to play, we'll play. 

CHRIS:  We can write a song in less than an afternoon, we come up with new songs all the time. 

BOTH:  A new record is already in the works. 

CM: Is there a website you guys wanna plug where we can get up to date news on upcoming releases, gigs and merch?

BOTH: Facebook I guess.  One of us usually checks on it everyday.

CM: Thanks again for talking with Critical Mass. It's so great to see a young band out there doing it on their own and Kicking ass along the way. Keep at it guys, you're doing awesome! Thanks again.

BOTH:  Thank you.


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