Backstage Pass - Chaos Theory - Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview?

CHAOS THEORY

Rock Johnson - Vocalist

ATP

What is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

CHAOS THEORY

We are Chaos Theory. The name was in place when I joined the band, but Chaos theory is a theory where small differences in behavior can yield vastly different outcomes with all other variables being consistent. In our band Lex is the only original member of the band, but each time a member was changed the band became different, perhaps better, while many of the core aspects of the band remained intact. So we are kind of a living example of what the chaos theory is.

ATP

So who's in the band and what instruments do you each play?

CHAOS THEORY

Rock Johnson - Vocals / Guitar
Lex Coulstring - Rhythm Guitar / Vocals
Shaun Cowell - Lead Guitar
Tim Garagan – Bass/Vocals
Shane Pardy - Drums

ATP

How would you describe your sound. What makes you unique?

CHAOS THEORY

I would describe it as… modern heavy melodic rock or alternative. Some kind of cross between hard rock & metal… I don’t really understand genres anymore; they are way too specified for me to keep up with. As far as being unique, I think that term is thrown around way too much; I don’t think anyone is unique. There is this weird subculture that wants everything to be totally different than anything that has ever come before it, not everyone is an innovator, you just have to make music that speaks to you and find an audience of like minded people. Trying too hard to be unique is just as disingenuous as being an intentional clone of something else.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

CHAOS THEORY

Lex is a big fan of Avenged Sevenfold, Shane is a huge Dream theater & Tool fan, Shaun is like a sponge, he seems to like and know everything out there under the sun. Tim I’m not sure I say it was any one band over another, more a cross of everything you’d expect to have heard as a rock fan. Myself, I am a huge Kiss fan, moved into the hair metal era, embraced grunge, and dug nu-metal bands. These days I tend to like anything that has darkness, and melody.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

CHAOS THEORY

I’ve been doing this 24 years now, still trying to be a little better at it every day.

ATP

How would you describe your shows?

CHAOS THEORY

High energy, intense, sweaty… yet fun!

ATP

Tell us about your favorite show and why?

CHAOS THEORY

Wow, tough one. We had a chance to open for Metallica a few years back. They held a regional contest and we made the finals. The crowd that night was so passionate, they made signs, and they really were pushing for us. We ended up placing second, but that kind of love sticks with you.

ATP

Tell us about your worst show and why?

CHAOS THEORY

We had one night where our former guitar player’s tuner was all messed up it had him a half step out for 4 songs. We powered through it, but it is not easy to sing with two different pitches in each ear!

ATP

Tell Us About Your Dream Show, who you'd like to play with and where?

CHAOS THEORY

For me a dream show is more about the audience and less about who we are playing with. Looking out on a sea of people all pushing back the energy that you are throwing out there would be the ultimate rush. If I had to pick one band just to say “Yeah I played with those guys” it would be Dream Theater. They were such a huge influence on me especially in high school when I first started playing guitar.

ATP

Do you have a street team and how can you join?

CHAOS THEORY

Not formally. We certainly have some dedicated fans who do their best to support us and share our posts online. We do have a formal mailing list people can sign up for on the front page of our website www.chaostehoryband.com.

ATP

Do you have a record label and if not are you looking for one?

CHAOS THEORY

We started our own label to produce our own music. We do some work for other bands as well. It has helped centralize our efforts in regards to booking, distribution, promotion, and creating music.

ATP

What are your plans for the future, in a year, 5 years?

CHAOS THEORY

Our new album “We Are Disaster” comes out Sept 25, 2015, we have an Eastern Canadian tour planned in the fall, more recording in the winter including an acoustic project, re-recording the first album with the new line up and of course starting to work on album three. Come spring we will tour again and in the summer we trying to play as many festivals as we can and write music. That cycle can continue, and hopefully grow each year into more fans and more opportunities.

ATP

Finally, do have any words on what Arm The Pit means to you?

CHAOS THEORY

Arm the Pit, it’s a call to battle. Music is in a vulnerable space, it’s a call to take part and support what you love or it may be gone. Thanks for having me!