Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Hot Coffin Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Our entire focus has been on this new album that we’ve got coming out (cue question 2).

2.In April you have a new album coming out, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
This album is going to offer a bit of a departure from any previous Hot Coffin release. It’s almost hard to consider it the same band, as we’ve retained two original members and added two with Jon Kraft (drums) and myself (Chris Chuzles, vocals). It’s a LOT heavier than the previous recordings. It’s about as heavy as rock music can be without crossing over that metal threshold. But, we’re staring over that threshold. And we’re liking what we’re seeing. And we might dip a toe over that line from time-to-time. Dip it.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
On the new album, the make-up is like this: 37.5% Political, 25% Historical, 12.5% Fear-Based, 12.5% Literature-Based, 12.5% Shame-Based. Yes, I just got out a goddamned calculator to do simple math. We’ve got a song about Abraham Lincoln seeing his own ghost. We’ve got a song about the proposed Baphomet statue on the Oklahoma State Capitol grounds. We’ve got an obligatory song about our shitheel Wisconsin Governor. We’ve got a song based on a J. D. Salinger short story. We’ve got ALL KINDS of fuckin’ songs...

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hot Coffin'?
The name came about in 2008 when Christian Hansen (guitar) and Joe Kanack (bass) were recording an album with their old band, Red Knife Lottery, in Dallas with John Congleton [Grammy-winning producer and member of The Paper Chase]. Christian and John were riffing about starting a side band, as a joke, and throwing names back-and-forth. “Hot Coffin” was one of the ones that John threw out. Apparently, it stuck.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Well, I’m still the the new guy in the band, so I’m unjustifiably in a position where I can’t speak on ALL the shows we’ve played. But, my favorite show is still the first that I played with these guys. They were an established band, and I was the new singer. The reception could have gone a couple of ways, but it was GREAT! 100%! Fifteen seconds after we were done, a gentleman asked me to sign this poster for his kids!
http://www.gigposters.com/posters/167975.jpg


6.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We’re going to have some show announcements soon. Release show(s) in May, followed by some extended weekends over the summer throughout the midwest. What we REALLY want to do is get into Canada this year (hint hint… nudge nudge).

7.The new album is coming out on Triple Eye Industries, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Triple Eye Industries is run by three guys from the band Volunteer in our hometown of Milwaukee, WI. It started as a platform for them to release their own records, and records from friends in the local scene. We’re honored to fall into that friend spectrum. To my knowledge, I have a copy of every single thing they’ve put out. And I’ll say, completely without bias, that every one of those releases is fantastic. We’re in good company here.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your recordings and shows by fans of underground music?
Nothing but positivity so far! The new record’s not even out yet, and it’s been getting these great reviews from all over the place. And that word spreads quickly. We had a pre-order come in today from Finland. Finland, I say!

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
It’s really only going to get more grimy from here on out.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I think a lot of the Amphetamine Reptile and Dischord Records releases from the 90s show through on our songs. Rocket From The Crypt/Hot Snakes are a HUGE influence on our music, as well. I still listen to that stuff a ton. Primarily, I guess. Today, I drove in a car for 2 hours without taking Guns N’ Roses out of the cd player.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
I’m into film & digital animation, nothing fancy. Our guitarist, Christian, is a screen-printer and also makes this really excellent artisan beef jerky out of his home. We usually bring that out on tour with us. Joe, our bass player, works in a lumber yard and has been an amateur horse-groomer for the past couple of years now, along with his cousin Ralph. They’ve won at LEAST 3 ribbons at the state fair! NICE, JOE! Our drummer Jon is an avid windsurfer, and during the summer months teaches a windsurfing clinic for the elderly on Lake Michigan.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Please check out our album at: https://hotcoffin.bandcamp.com/. Give it to your children as a gift. Hot Coffin loves you.

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