Fighting The Darkness : An Exclusive Conversation With Rival Sons Guitarist Scott Holiday

 

Born on December 27,1975 in California, Scott Holiday was introduced to music at an early age. His parents, both music enthusiasts, played a vital role in nurturing his passion for the guitar. At the age of 12, Holiday discovered the blues and was immediately drawn to the soulful s blues-rock sounds of legends like Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Keith Richards of The Stones, Paul Kossoff of Free, and Jimi Hendrix. These influences would later shape his distinctive guitar style.

Scott Holiday's musical journey took a significant turn when he met Jay Buchanan, a vocalist with a powerful voice that resonated with the blues-rock sound Holiday adored. This encounter became the catalyst for the formation of Rival Sons in 2009. The band, with its fusion of blues, rock, and soul, quickly gained attention for their electrifying live performances and their ability to transport audiences to the golden era of rock 'n' roll.

One of the defining characteristics of Scott Holiday's guitar playing is his ability to channel the energy and rawness of classic rock while infusing it with his own distinct touch. His soulful, blues-inspired guitar solos, coupled with his impeccable sense of timing and dynamics, have become a trademark of Rival Sons' sound. Holiday's use of vintage guitars, such as his iconic 1999 re-issue of a 1965 Gibson Custom Firebird VII, aka “Bluebird" or his Goldtop Les Paul, further enhances the band's retro aesthetic.

Holiday's contributions to Rival Sons extend beyond his exceptional guitar playing. He is an integral part of the band's songwriting process, collaborating closely with vocalist Jay Buchanan to create the band's signature sound. Together, they craft powerful and emotionally charged songs that resonate with fans worldwide. Holiday's ability to blend intricate guitar riffs with infectious hooks and melodies has helped define Rival Sons' discography. A discography that has been expanded to seven (plus one EP) with the release of 2023's 'Darkfighter'- to be added to further with the release of a second (!) album, 'Lightbringer' tentatively set for release in fall 2023.

Article © 2023 Keith Langerman NM Museart

Interview © 2023 Mark Skaar for The Skaar Kaard/103.7 The Fox 

NM Museart: Mark Skaar on the Skaar card on 103.7 The Fox. It is my extreme pleasure to bring in the fuzz lord himself, Scott Holiday from Rival Sons. Scott, how are you, my friend?

Scott Holiday: I'm very good, thank you, Mark. It is, even more, my extreme pleasure to be here talking with you today!

NM Museart : Aw, well, how's the tour going?

SH : Great, it's fun. We put a record out right in the middle of it. 'Darkfighter' just came out, so it's been fun kind of playing songs at the first half of the tour that nobody had really heard yet, except for a few of them. And it's been fun to like release a record and then play the same songs after people have heard them.

NM Museart: Great. Congratulations on Darkfighter. It's a great record. 

SH : Thank you very much. 

NM Museart: Produced by 9 time Grammy Award winner Dave Cobb. (Chris Stapleton, John Prine, Sturgil Simpson, Brandy Carlile) You've been with him pretty much the entire time. I don't think he really needs any introduction, but he does wonderful work for you guys. 

SH: He's a great friend. And we've done every record with him. It's been a long journey with him and a lot of learning, kind of meshing together and learning each other's nuances and how to work together better and better.

NM Museart: You've been quoted as saying that this album sounds like a band, your band, and not your influences anymore. It's just the natural maturation of you said, getting to albums eight and nine.

SH: Yeah, I think it's not that you can't hear the influence in our playing, I think that's just gonna be, they don't forever, you always are gonna hear influences of different players, but it just feels really natural, and like a real progression and step forward for the band.

NM Museart: Who did the album artwork?

SH: That album was actually done by Martin Whitson. He did the last two covers as well.

NM Museart: And you've done several music videos. Let's talk about "Nobody Wants to Die".

SH: Sure, what would you like to know?

NM Museart: A little bit about the storyboard maybe for these videos this time out?

SH: We didn't have a storyboard across the three videos as it could seem possible. 

Our first single, "Nobody Wants to Die"... when it was about to drop, we received a bunch of submissions from producers and different directors, I'm sorry, and different treatments, and nothing really stuck. Everything we saw looked really cookie-cutter, really typical. 

The music video is... the art of music video, especially with rock bands. It's just not being highlighted these days. And you can tell with the budgets record labels are giving them too. So we didn't like what we were getting shopped and both me and Jay just had a different idea. We had the same idea really that we wanted to do for that song. So we kind of traded stuff back and forth in hotel rooms and came up with that treatment that ended up being that video.

NM Museart: Let's talk about vocalist Jay Buchanan. His wonderful singing, his soulful singing that just makes you feel it. It's just like so few bands, you guys have soul in spades.

SH: He's pretty good... He's all right (Laughs) He's in here standing next to me. You can't make me talk about him while he's standing right next to me. Jay and I have worked together for a long, long time now. What can I say? He's my right-hand man. I love him.

NM Museart: He's fantastic. I tell you, Scott, one of my favorite songs on this record so far is "Bird in the Hand".

SH: I just love the groove on that. Yeah, man. That shuffle was fantastic that drummer Michael Miley was laying down. I have an interesting factoid for your show that I talked about that song. That main groove, that really dirge-y groove, That's mainly what we had, the chorus and that dirge-y groove. That was really what we recorded. 

We took all that stuff home and we actually co-produced this record with Dave Cobb. So there was a lot of work we did at home, a lot of work I did out of my own studio, a lot of guitars, track, a lot of things kind of organized at home. And on that song in particular... I felt like the song was good and I thought there was something there, but it was missing a little ribbon of color that I like to like to wrap into a lot of our songs. That ended up being the intro you hear and the re-intro into the second chorus and the bridge. I actually ended up cutting all that into the song and creating the whole bit from my own studio at home.

NM Museart: Hooks galore on that one. "Guillotine" is another favorite.

SH: Yeah, I'm really happy with that. That first riff is kind of where that started. It was something I had very early. I think everyone's fantastic on it. Jay came up with that chorus also while we were in the studio. And I think it really is a keystone to the downward spiral, but you know, in the arc of the story, of the like, kind of the feelings of the dark kind of enveloping us.

NM Museart: Something else I really love. I mean, I love a ton of your work, but going back to the album 'Feral Roots', I need to talk about "Imperial Joy" and the gospel tinges that are in that song. I just adore that song.

SH: I love that. Nobody ever wants to talk about that song. Lost in the shuffle, that song is really close to my own heart. All that music that I came up with, and was very special to me and felt like a really inspired movement. movement, that chorus, those very fuzzy, dirgy verses, but mainly that big wide open chorus with that big 7 chord in it and I was really excited about it and I just loved what Jay came up with for it. When we laid it down, I just felt like it really lifted up that song in a really beautiful way. 

I think we're gonna bring that song back into the live show. Everybody's been kind of talking about playing it, we've been hitting around at it. I think it's gonna come back.

NM Museart: See, I brought it up, so now you must.

SH: I like that. That's cool, thank you.

NM Museart: You've alluded to it. There's not one, but two records that were put together during the pandemic. This one, of course, is called 'Darkfighter'. In the fall, we're going to have 'Lightbringer'. Can you give us a little preview of that?

SH : We didn't intend for them to be two parts, I'll tell you that initially. They were the group of songs that we wrote and we could feel a story arc. I think, as we were writing, Jay and I,  got to the end and really put the whole cinematic story arc together. 

These were the songs that were left, but it would have really been a big fight, I think, not only for us but more importantly for the listener. It would have been a very long record and that's not really what we wanted to do at all. When we finally could listen to it all together, we could see, this feels like part one and you can see where the story arc breaks off, this feels like part two. 

I think everyone's really going to love this second part. I think it's going to be something a little bit different. We really pushed ourselves. There are several very important pieces on that record that we're very proud of.

NM Museart: Is it sort of like Led Zeppelin III?

SH: In which way?

NM Museart: Well, maybe because the title would lean toward maybe mellower acoustic pieces in places? I don't know, I'm just speculating.

SH: Yeah. No. There's light/shade on both. You're not getting only dirty, darker-themed songs on 'Dark Fighter'. That doesn't mean that it's not going to be all like fun and bright lighter stuff that happens on 'Lightbringer'. They're both complete albums and there's going to be light/ shade with both we didn't separate them that much sonically like that because it would just it didn't feel right like I said we didn't write it in that and that's not how the story arc moves but there's a very particular Led Zepp-ism maybe not in the sound but in the titling of some things that's all okay. There'll be a hint there and you can just pick up on that when it comes out.

NM Museart: Ooh, a Scott a Scott holiday tease Yeah...

SH : Let's have fun with it that way. Let's not just give everything away exactly.

NM Museart: I think you'll be touring Europe when that record releases. Is there a plan Scott for another run in the States after that record comes out?

SH: Absolutely. The tour we're on is predominantly northeast, east coast, east, and east coast to the middle. And we will be doing in 2024, we'll be doing a west coast over to the middle. So stay tuned for that. 

NM Museart: It's going to be a busy year or two for you guys. The nice thing about back-to-back records like this in the same year is you can stay on the road and do your thing, which is where you excel.

SH: Yeah, I mean, you make these songs to perform them. That's really the idea, to create a moment with audiences all around the world. And it's fun to create studio albums, but it's imperative that we share that exchange those nights where we're together and the songs kind of evolve and take on their own new life, even beyond what we wrote the studio or we could have hoped for once we get in front of an audience and the audience makes them their own, something different happens with them.

NM Museart: Scott, if people want to keep up to date on you and Rival Sons, let's tell them how they can do that.

SH: We have everything everywhere. We have all the social media outlets. We have the dot com. We have an app. The app is a good one. Everybody go get the app. I have it. That's going to be the most centralized, get everything on that one spot. But other than that, you know, the Instagrams and Twitters and TikToks and Facebooks and the yada yada, bing bang. 

NM Museart: Scott, thank you so much for your time. Continue all the best to my favorite rock and roll band, Rival Sons. 

SH: Hey, Mark, thank you for having me, and a big thank you to everybody out there listening right now at home. 

For more information on Rival Sons, to buy merchandise, or to find out when they'll be in your area go to https://www.rivalsons.com/

Thanks once again to Mark Skaar from KLKK THE FOX 103.7 for so generously allowing me to post this interview. A music industry veteran for over 35 years, he's still flying the flag for real rock. Catch his show, "The Skaar Kaard" for the finest in new rock every Sunday evening at  7 PM CST

Sifting Through The Wreckage : An Exclusive Conversation With Vocalist Robert Jon Burrison of Robert Jon & The Wreck

 

Robert Jon, Photo credit: Keith Langerman

Hailing from Southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck brings their own unique twist to the Southern rock sound that originated on the east coast. Since forming in 2011, this group of talented musicians, consisting of Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), Warren Murrel (bass), and Jake Abernathie (keyboards), has been captivating audiences worldwide with their electrifying performances featuring stunning dual unison guitar work reminiscent of The Allman Brothers, The Outlaws, and The Eagles circa 'Hotel California'.

With soaring guitar leads, rich vocal harmonies, and unforgettable melodies, it's hard to ignore the incredible presence of Robert Jon & The Wreck when they take the stage. Their impact on audiences across the globe is evident as they have sold out numerous shows and proudly shared the bill with acclaimed artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Blackberry Smoke, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, and Rival Sons.

In 2020, their album 'Last Light On The Highway' received widespread acclaim, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Continuing their upward trajectory, their 2021 release, 'Shine A Light On Me Brother,' propelled them to even greater heights and led to a collaboration with Joe Bonamassa's Journeyman Records, opening doors for exciting new music opportunities. 

Most recently, they unveiled 'One Of A Kind,' a dynamic and multifaceted EP featuring production by GRAMMY-Award winners Don Was and Dave Cobb. This year also marked the debut of their first official live concert film, 'Live At The Ancienne Belgique,' showcasing the highlights of their exceptional career over the past decade, which has been praised by Music News as "one of the best live albums in years."

Robert Jon & The Wreck are currently embarking on an extensive European tour, thrilling their rapidly growing fanbase, which will see them playing dates in the UK, Germany, Holland, and France. They are also diligently working on recording fresh material to further delight their dedicated supporters, the results of which are due to be released on August 4th via Journeyman Records.

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with Robert Jon for a quick Q&A on the eve of their performance on June 21st at The Launchpad in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Thanks, Robert Jon for taking the time to sit down with me, it's truly appreciated!

Interview and text © 2023 Keith Langerman for NM Museart

NM Museart:  You have a new album coming out on August 4th, 'Ride Into The Light' via Joe Bonamassa's new label Journeyman Records, which was co-produced by Joe and Josh Smith. How did you end up meeting Joe? 

Robert Jon: We met Joe and his team on Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise the first year they did a Mediterranean edition. We kept our relationships going after that as well as joining his next cruise out of Miami. 

NM Museart: What was it like working with him? 

RJ: It was an honor, to say the least. It was a great experience all around. It was a pleasure to see the insight of how he works and very glad how the tracks we did together came out. 

NM Museart: I can imagine, given his track record working with Kevin Shirley throughout the years, he didn't waste much time in the studio... 

RJ: That’s true. 

NM Museart: Did Joe impart any words of wisdom that he's learned along the way to his massive success? 

 RJ: Not too much, we learn from everyone we work with and I’m sure we learned a lot getting to work with him. 

NM Museart: Did Joe show you his massive vintage guitar collection? Was that where it was recorded? In 'Nerdville'?

 RJ: It was recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, Joe brought in some amazing guitars and amps to use on the recording, but we didn’t get to see the whole collection or anything, just some rarities that would make the recording even better. 

NM Museart: 'Ride Into The Light' includes the four tracks from the band’s very recent dynamic EP release One Of A Kind, which received rave reviews from all over the world and helped catapult the band’s awareness to new heights. These tracks were produced by GRAMMY-Award winners Don Was and Dave Cobb. The rest of the album contains contributions from Tom Hambridge, who has written with Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, and Susan Tedeschi...Lynyrd Skynyrd.. Joe.. the list goes on and on...Buddy's called Tom, "The White Willie Dixon", which is quite an honor indeed...How did that whole situation come about? 

RJ: Some things happen in a way that at the moment you have no clue why or how you got there and you got to sit back to really understand it all. It was an awesome experience to work with Tom on a couple tunes. We went over to his house in Nashville, sipped some coffee, and sat with each other working on ideas. 

Our “band mom”, as we like to call her, Sharon Corbitt was hands-on in helping us get with some of the best songwriters she knows while we were in Nashville, and the rest is history. 

NM Museart: What do you feel that having Tom involved brought to the project that you hadn't had previously?

RJ : Having a new set of ears and thoughts brought to the table is always something that can add so much. Someone hearing something different or writing in different ways just makes anyone a better songwriter. 

NM Museart: Are you satisfied with the results this time around?

RJ : Yea, definitely really excited for all the new music to be able to be heard by everyone. 

NM Museart:: Your music has a distinct blend of rock, blues, and soul. How would you describe your sound and what artists have influenced your musical style?

RJ : We are Southern California Rock, we have a lot of elements in our music from Southern Rock so people tend to think we are from the “South” which is an honor. We truly just set out to play and write the music that we love and want to.

Everyone that we have ever listened to has influenced our music, but the obvious ones may be The Black Crowes, The Eagles, and The Allman Brothers.

NM Museart: Do you recall what the first album you ever bought was?

RJ: The first album I ever bought with my own money was Deep Purple's Greatest Hits. 

NM Museart: Are there any dream collaborations or venues that you hope to work with or perform at in the future? Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 years?

RJ: Of course, the list is too long, so off the top of my head it be great to work with Nathaniel Rateliff, Zac Brown... Like I said the list is so long that we’d love to collaborate with anyone that we look up to and already love to listen to, venues are really about the people that come to them, so in 5 years I just hope to be playing venues with a crowd of people who are excited to be there people who have been on the journey with us for years, and to feel the love and energy every night from the stage. 

NM Museart: What is your songwriting process like? Do you collaborate as a band, or does each member contribute individually?

 RJ: It’s very cohesive. We as a band are in the room together, working on ideas, riffs, and lyrics, we all have a part in these songs that we record and play. We all have stuff we may work on, on our own before we bring it in, but the majority of the work gets done together. 

NM Museart: Live performances are a significant part of your identity as a band. In fact, you're going on an extensive European tour next month to support the new album. What is your favorite aspect of performing live, and how do you engage with your audience during shows?

RJ: The best part is the energy we feel from the crowd. That truly is what keeps us going night after night. We hope to be giving that energy back to them, to create a time remembered and worth coming back for. 

NM Museart: Could you share any memorable or funny moments from your time on tour or performing at festivals?

RJ: I’m not sure I have the time to tell or even think of them cause there are so many but one thing we really enjoy especially at festivals is to walk out and experience them from the crowd we don’t often just sit backstage awaiting our show time, we like to get out there and get a drink and meet people that out there! 

NM Museart:: During your time on the road, you've appeared with some really heavyweight performers in the music world, like Joe Bonamassa, Blackberry Smoke, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, and Rival Sons. Are there any artists that you've been listening to recently that you feel the world needs to know about?

RJ :  We listen to a lot of old stuff and the current list of amazing artists who everyone already knows about, but we have some amazingly talented friends that play some great music. Bywater Call, The Silent Comedy, and Balto, to name a few. 

NM Museart: What are your long-term goals and aspirations for Robert Jon & The Wreck? Are there any specific milestones or achievements you hope to reach?

RJ : We hope to keep doing what we love and be able to support our families as they grow while we do. 

NM Museart:: Before we go is there anything that you'd like to say to all your fans out there?

RJ : We hope to see you all at a show near you! It’s our highlight to see everyone at our shows and reconnect so we can continue to write, record, release, and perform.

For further information on Robert Jon & The Wreck, to purchase merchandise, or to find out where they're playing next go to https://robertjonandthewreck.com/

From their recent performance in Albuquerque, New Mexico at The Launchpad here's an epic, nearly 20-minute version of "Cold Night". 

N

Greg Chaisson: From Badlands to The Atomic Kings - A Bassist's Journey

 The thunderous rumble of the bass guitar, the heartbeat of rock and roll, is often overlooked amidst the dazzling solos and soaring vocals. But for Greg Chaisson, former bassist of the renowned band Badlands and now a member of The Atomic Kings, the bass has been his weapon of choice to carve a path through the annals of rock history.

Chaisson's musical journey began in the 1980s when he joined forces with ex-Ozzy Osbourne guitar virtuoso Jake E. Lee, former Black Sabbath vocalist Ray Gillen, and his cohort in Sabbath, drummer Eric Singer to form Badlands. 

The band quickly gained attention for their blues-infused hard rock sound, with Chaisson's pulsating basslines providing the backbone of their raw and gritty compositions. Together, they released their eponymous debut album in 1989, which showcased his prowess as a skilled bassist and solidified their place among the era's most promising acts. It was this album that garnered the band placing #35 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 'Top 50 Hair Metal Albums Of All Time',

Badlands' success soared as they toured alongside rock legends such as Ozzy Osbourne and Aerosmith, captivating audiences with their electrifying performances. Chaisson's stage presence and undeniable talent garnered him a reputation as one of the most respected bassists of his time. His ability to seamlessly fuse melodic hooks with intricate rhythms elevated the band's sound, making him an integral part of their sonic identity.

Following the dissolution of Badlands after a couple of further albums, Chaisson embarked on a journey of musical exploration, collaborating with various artists and lending his bass skills to numerous projects. His passion for creating music and his desire to push the boundaries of his craft led him to join forces with guitarist Ryan McKay, drummer Jimi Taft and vocalist Ken Ronk in The Atomic Kings.

The Atomic Kings, a powerful rock quartet, emerged from the depths of Chaisson's creative mind, blending elements of hard rock, blues, and heavy metal into a sonic force to be reckoned with. With Chaisson's signature bass groove at the forefront, The Atomic Kings deliver hard-hitting, soulful anthems that reverberate through the hearts of their listeners.

In The Atomic Kings, Chaisson's bass work takes center stage once again, showcasing his dynamic range and masterful command of the instrument. Whether he's laying down a thick, driving foundation or unleashing intricate bass solos, his playing adds depth and intensity to the band's music, cementing his status as a true rock icon.

Beyond his instrumental prowess, Chaisson's contributions as a songwriter and collaborator are undeniable. His keen ear for melody and song structure has helped shape The Atomic Kings' sound, infusing their music with a timeless quality that resonates with both longtime rock enthusiasts and a new generation of fans.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Chaisson's resilience and passion for his craft have earned him respect among his peers and fans alike. His commitment to honing his skills, pushing creative boundaries, and delivering electrifying performances remains unwavering, a testament to his enduring love for music and his unwavering dedication to his art.

Greg Chaisson's journey from Badlands to The Atomic Kings represents the evolution of a musician who has left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. His skillful bass playing, combined with his songwriting abilities and magnetic stage presence, has solidified his place in rock history. As he continues to create music with The Atomic Kings and captivate audiences with his unmistakable style, Chaisson's legacy as a legendary bassist lives on, reminding us that the heartbeat of rock resides in the hands of those who dare to master the bass guitar.

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Greg and have an exclusive conversation at his home in Phoenix, Arizona on the eve of Atomic Kings opening for fellow rock legends Kings X at The Salt Yard West in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 8th. The subjects covered were the band's brand new self-titled release 'Atomic Kings', released in May 2023 via Armored Saint guitarist Jeff Duncan's Tone House Records, his influences, why he's not in Red Dragon Cartel anymore, plus much more.

Interview and text © 2023 Keith Langerman

KL : Can you share a bit about your journey as a bassist, from your time with Badlands to your current venture with The Atomic Kings? How has your musical approach evolved over the years?

GC : After Badlands ended, I wasn’t really interested in going back on the road.  I put myself out as a hired gun for recording purposes. I ended up playing on a bunch of people’s records including making a solo album called “It’s About Time”.  During that time my wife, son, and I moved back from L.A. to Arizona.  

After playing on a bunch of different albums I decided that I really wasn’t that interested in continuing that path.  One of the reasons is that I don’t like flying. I decided to take myself completely off the grid musically and I enjoyed hanging around with my family, as we now had a daughter as well.  I basically just became Dad and husband.  Every now and then I would get in a cover band for some extra money, but most of my time was spent coaching little league baseball and softball.  I ended up coaching in Jr. High, High School, and College as well. My son was a star baseball player and my daughter was a star softball and badminton athlete, life was pretty full. 

Jake and I had maintained a friendship all this time and out of the blue he called me in the Spring of 2014 and asked me if I would play at a Red Dragon Cartel show here in Phoenix.  Apparently, he didn’t like the bass player he had.  I said yes, so we got together and rehearsed for a couple of days in Phoenix. I hadn’t seen him in a number of years.  But when we played together it was just like we had played together the day before, it was awesome.  

After I did the show, he asked if I wanted to be in the band permanently. I told him I did but I had commitments for the next 4 months. I told him if you still want me when my commitments are over then let me know.  He called me the day after I had fulfilled my obligations and asked if I still wanted to do it and I said yeah.  The chance to play with him always interested me because of our history and I liked the guys he had in Red Dragon Cartel.  We rehearsed for a week or so and went on the road.  I did around 40 shows over a 2-month period, and it was great, except I was sick a lot of the time which was weird for me because I’m kind of a health nut.  

When the tour ended, I went back to Phoenix.  We were supposed to go on the road in April 2015 but I was still sick.  When I finally got the correct diagnosis, I discovered that I had stage 4 cancer. I had to quit Red Dragon Cartel to have the treatment. I had cancer on my tongue, and the treatment for that is definitely no fun!  

I ended up losing 79 pounds in 5 months.  By the time I was cured, Jake had another bass player which was to be expected, but we stayed friends.  In October of 2015, my cancer treatment was done and I was cancer free.  I was offered to manage the guitar store which I still manage to this day which is Bizarre Guitar and Drum in Phoenix.  I had a band with Ryan McKay, Jimi Taft, and another vocalist, and this is the band that turned into Atomic Kings after we replaced our singer with Ken Ronk.  We wrote a record, and it came out about a month ago and everything is groovy. 

 KL : What was your inspiration to pick up, and start playing the bass initially?

 GC : When I first got out of high school, my plan was to go to college to play baseball.  I had some opportunities there, but out of the blue, a couple of younger guys approached me and said “If you buy a bass you can be in our band”, which was pretty weird because I never had any musical aspirations whatsoever. I went to the pawn shop and bought a crappy bass, they already had an amp, and I became a bass player.  I gave up my baseball aspirations at that point.  

I had no problem with playing baseball, I just didn’t want to deal with going to college, high school was hard enough.  I found out some months later that the reason they asked me was that they were getting picked on by some of the older guys and they figured they would get one of the neighborhood hardasses to play bass, maybe the bullies would leave them alone. I don’t know anyone else who got their start that way (Laughs)

 KL : What was the inspiration behind the formation of The Atomic Kings? How did you come together with guitarist Ryan McKay, drummer Jimi Taft, and vocalist Ken Ronk, and what made you decide to collaborate on this project?

GC : Atomic Kings came together out of the ashes of another band.  In this other band, Kings Of Dust, we had just fired our singer. We were looking for someone like Ken who had a very soulful 70’s style rock voice.  Ken is kind of a local legend here in Phoenix.  Most people consider him the best singer of his style in town.  I called him up and said ‘Do you want to come down and check it out?’ which he did.  Right from the very beginning, it was a perfect fit.  He is a great singer/lyricist/frontman and really easy to get along with.  Everyone likes him, which is a perfect fit because no one likes me (Laughs)   Shortly after we decided on Ken, we decided to change the name of the existing band to Atomic Kings. 

As far as Ryan and Jimi, I had heard about Ryan from some other people and had seen him play a couple of times and I really liked his style plus he’s an excellent singer and songwriter.  Jimi was someone that I’ve known for a long time.  We’ve played in a couple of bands together and he is just a natural fit for what it is that we do.  I’m used to playing with top-notch musicians and I’m certainly not going to change now.  These guys are at the top of the heap!

 KL : How would you describe the sound and musical style of The Atomic Kings? In your opinion, what sets the band apart from other rock acts?

 GC : We are well-versed in the ’70s. We don’t try to hide our influences.  As a matter of fact, we celebrate them. If you’re a fan of a lot of those great 70’s bands like Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Sabbath, Humble Pie, etc. you will definitely hear some of that as authentically as possible.  

Ryan is a 70’s style guitarist, he can shred if he wants to, but that’s not what we do in this band. Jimi has the swing of all those drummers you love from the 70s.  

Ken is a throwback to the great vocalists of the 70s, especially the bluesy soulful stylings of people like Paul Rogers or Robert Plant, and even Greg Allman.  We don’t copy anyone we just do our take on the 70s and it’s actually easy for me because I started playing the bass in 1971 so I grew up as a musician during that era.  We don’t write 3-minute songs and we don’t use any auto-tune or sampling.  It’s just us, 4 dudes, doing what we do best and what we love. I call it 70’s riff/blues hard rock with a twist. 

KL : What are your personal favorites on the album, and why?

GC : Wow that’s a hard one.  I actually like every song on the record for different reasons. On any given day it could be any given song. I think the guys did a great job on everything. But if I had to go on a limb today and pick a couple I would say "I Got Mine", because it has such a funky feel, or maybe "Take My Hand", because it has a killer riff, a big hooky chorus and then out of the blue goes into a crazy boogie/shuffle sort of thing, kind of like if Motorhead did La Grange. (Laughs)

I have to mention "Live", because it just hits you in the face from start to finish, or maybe "Escape", because of all of the different textures of that song.  Like I said it’s a difficult choice.  

I really like "All I Want", and I actually wrote the song in the late 70s and finally got to hear the song get its just due. Like I said I like them all. 

 KL : It's really difficult to choose, they're all like your children in a way .. (Laughs)

KL : As a bassist, you have a unique role in the band, providing the foundation and groove. How do you approach crafting basslines that complement the music and enhance the overall sound of The Atomic Kings?

GC : My style is very 70’s oriented.  Back in the 70s bass players had a much more important musical role than just peddling along on the E string, they were allowed and required to make a definite musical contribution to the song.  That’s always been the way I approached the instrument.  I’m not interested in just playing some boring musical piece that doesn’t contribute anything.  Since I co-write the material, I write my bass parts accordingly.  Having said that, we all get to add our parts, there’s plenty of room for everyone in the band to say what they want to say.  These guys are excellent musicians, and they prove it on every song. 

KL : Can you tell us about your songwriting process within the band? How do you contribute to the creation of new music and collaborate with your bandmates?

 GC : For the most part the songs start with an idea of Ryan’s or mine.  I’ll usually write a few things then get together with Ryan at Bizarre Guitar (we work together).  I’ll show him what I have and tell him what parts I think it still needs.  He will then write something.  Once we have that much of it together, we play it at rehearsal and Jimi and Ken add in their parts.  

You can also reverse that, Ryan will come in with a couple of parts, show me what he has, and I will add my two cents worth.  Sometimes it’s as simple as me writing a bridge and a guitar solo section or Ryan writing a chorus, etc.

 

We also have a song on the record called "Running Away" that started with Jimi playing a particular drum beat that he had been fooling around with.  We liked it, Ryan wrote a couple parts to it, I wrote a couple parts to it, and it ended up being a very cool different sort of song for us.  

There is also an acoustic piece on there written by Jimi called "Jimi’s Page", he plays guitar on it as well.  Ken pretty much comes up with the melody line and lyrics and occasionally we will chime in with our opinions on what he has but for the most part that is all Ken.  As far as arranging the material, most of that is probably done by me, I have a knack for it.  We are very open to who contributes to the songwriting process.  As long as it works, we don’t care and there’s no real egos about it.  Normally when a song is close to completion, I’ll take it home and keep going over and over it, making little tweaks here and there and by then it’s an Atomic Kings song. 

 KL : Are there any specific musical influences that have shaped your playing style and approach to music? How do these influences manifest in The Atomic Kings' music?

GC : My style of bass playing is kind of a mish-mosh of about 20 different bass players from the late 60’s into the ’70s.  The usual suspects like Geezer Butler, John Paul Jones, Jack Bruce, and John Entwistle, along with other guys like Felix Pappalardi from Mountain, Tim Bogert from Cactus, Mel Schacher from Grand Funk, Andy Fraser from Free, Greg Ridley from Humble Pie, Jimmie Randall from Jo Jo Gunne, Rob Grange from Ted Nugent, Gary Thain from Uriah Heep, Jack Casady from Jefferson Airplane, Martin Turner from Wishbone Ash, even Ronnie Wood when he played bass with Jeff Beck.  There are a lot of other guys on that list.  All of this mixed together kind of makes my style and because we are so ’70s influenced it makes it really easy to play in that style. 

KL : What is the most challenging aspect of being a professional musician, and how do you overcome those challenges?

GC :  Not making any money, the word professional is a misnomer.  Most of the professional musicians I know are always scrambling for a buck.  I figure if you put all the money you make into some sort of hourly wage most musicians don’t come anywhere near a penny an hour.  I’ve actually made some money at so I supposed my hourly pay would be a nickel an hour, or maybe a dime on a good year.(Laughs)

Having said that most musicians don’t play music for the money they play it because that’s who they are.  They like to create.  They are artists.  Don’t get me wrong, money is great and I like to make it but it’s certainly not the sole motivating factor.  

A good example would be when I joined Red Dragon Cartel in 2014, I was getting paid, but that was kind of extra.  The motivation for me was to be able to play with Jake again and to continue creating what we had always done since the Badlands days.  

The other thing was that neither one of my children who are now grown had ever seen me play in any kind of setting other than a cover band in a bar for 100 or so people who couldn’t give a crap.  It allowed my kids to see me on a couple of big stages where people were coming to see what we were creating.  That was worth 10 times more than money to me. 

 KL : The Atomic Kings have been gaining popularity and attracting a dedicated fan base. How does it feel to see your music resonate with listeners, and what do you hope people take away from your songs?

 GC : It’s been very rewarding.  When we are writing we are not really considering whether people are going to like the songs or not.  We just write what we like and hopefully some people will be able to relate to it.  The fact that so many people can relate to it is both unexpected and expected at the same time.  

What I mean by that, is we knew the songs were good, we knew they were memorable with plenty of good hooks in them without trying to be part of the commercial machinery that is the music business today.  We knew the performances were good.  It’s been very gratifying to have so many people jump on board with us.  We’ve done a few shows and the response has been through the roof.  We are just 4 guys writing what we like and playing what we like. 

KL : If you had to take 5 albums with you to a desert island which ones would they be?

GC :Tough call. I think today I would take Humble Pie's 'Performance Rocking the Fillmore', but then again that’s always on the list. I’d probably take the first Captain Beyond record.  It’s about as Prog as I get.  There are a number of similarities between that and what we do in Atomic Kings.  I’ll take 'Who’s Next' by The Who.  Grand Funk's 'E Pluribus Funk', and what the heck, I’ll take Atomic Kings.  I’ve actually never listened to the disc yet.  By the time we get done mixing it, I usually don’t listen to stuff I’ve played on for about a year.  Yeah, I know it’s weird. 

KL : Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from your time performing live with The Atomic Kings? Is there a particular show or moment that stands out to you? 

GC : We’ve only done 5 shows and they are all memorable for their own reasons.  The first show was in the parking lot of Bizarre Guitar.  They do a street fair every year and block off the street in front of the store, in effect killing my business for the day.  There’s all kinds of booths and food trucks and all that kind of stuff.  In protest, we set up in the parking lot hoping to be able to get in a couple songs before the police shut us down, because we’re really loud.  

But instead of people being upset by this, they loved it. Even the police were taking videos and clapping. Not the response we expected but what the heck, when you have lemons, you make lemonade!  

A very interesting thing happened because of the show.  My good friend Nite Bob who was the sound man for Badlands, and who is the best in the business bar none, saw some video of us playing in the parking lot.  He really liked the band and told me so.  I said the only thing that would be better is if you were running sound for us.  He said, "How would you like to open for Ace Frehley when we come through Phoenix in the next 6 weeks?" I said, "OK!"  

We got to be direct support and open for Ace at a place called the Marquee.  It’s about a 1500-seater and I believe it was sold out.  Nite Bob ran our sound and from the response we got it must have been a pretty great show.  Since then, we have done a couple of other shows and the response has been every bit as good.  We are heading to New Mexico on June 8th to open for Kings X.  So far everything’s coming up roses.

KL : Besides your own band, are there any other artists that you've heard recently who have caught your ear?

GC : Oddly enough, I don’t really listen to a lot of what’s going on these days.  I heard the last Red Dragon Cartel record and I thought that was really good.  I have to admit I like Rival Sons.  I’m sure there are some other ones out there, but I can’t think of any right off the top of my head.  I’ll tip my hat to anyone who’s still out there making original music and pushing the pile forward.

 KL : What's next for you musically speaking?

 GC : Well, like I said we have the Kings X show coming up and I know there will be a show in Tucson in the near future, along with Las Vegas and probably L.A.  The chances of us going on a full-blown tour isn’t very good as we all have jobs and businesses that require a commitment.  But much like the Kings X show we are available for fly in’s or drive in’s for something close.  

We are also writing songs for the next Atomic Kings record.  We have a number of things written already, writing is very easy for us, and I don’t mean to be smug.  It’s just every time we show up at rehearsal someone’s got a new idea whether it be Jimi, Ken, or Ryan and that’s the same with me.  It’s all about creating something out of nothing. 

KL : As an experienced musician, what advice would you give aspiring bassists or musicians looking to pursue a career in the music industry?

 GC : Be yourself.  Don’t take too much stock in other people’s opinions.  Be true to yourself.  When I was in L.A. my style of bass playing was not in vogue.  People wanted something a lot simpler, and I just wouldn’t do it.  I would just walk away.  As the saying goes, to thine own self be true.  But having said that, if you’re going to be a musician put the work in to be the best musician you can be.  If you are doing it to be a rock star or to be rich you are probably going to be disappointed.  But if that’s your goal, give it your all. 

KL : Is there anything else you'd like to say to all your fans?

GC : I appreciate every single one of you.  One of the things I enjoyed about getting back out with Red Dragon Cartel is I got to meet a lot of people that had been fans of Badlands all that time.  Of course, the internet makes it so much easier to connect with people that had been fans or followers or whatever.  If you come to see Atomic Kings and you have a chance, come and say hello.  I always have time.  And if you haven’t checked out Atomic Kings yet, give it a listen.  You might just be surprised.  It must be pretty good, after all, I’m taking it as one of my 5 albums to a desert island! (Laughs)

For more information on Atomic Kings, or to purchase their latest self-titled release go to https://www.facebook.com/atomickingsband/Tone House Records -Atomic KIngs

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