ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2015, Volume 17 | Page 53

CH: I was in a band called BLOOD SIMPLE at the time. We had a record out with WARNER BROTHERS and were doing a lot of
touring at the time. JOHN KOSCO, our singer, was in a band called DROP BOX, which was on UNIVERSAL RECORDS. Around
that time, both bands were touring. I actually had met John on a day off at a GODSMACK acoustic show in New York City, and
the funny thing was--we had found out that he kept my phone number in his wallet for like two years. He just never threw it
away. I was out driving a tour bus for another band, and I heard he was putting together a new group. So, I got in touch with
Shannon from Godsmack and he called John, and he actually put us in touch. I went up and we jammed and kind of clicked
right away. That's pretty much how we got hooked up. A couple of months later, he was like, “Dude, I kept your number in my
wallet for like two years.”…and it was the funniest thing.
SJ: One thing that I'm kind of curious about: Because I'm tuned in to the local Philadelphia scene, I know what a lot of guys
are up to. I know that Saint Caine's guitarist, BRIAN QUINN, recently got the attention of some other folks; I understand he's
playing with CANDLEBOX. So is he still going to be playing with you guys?
CH: Yeah he is. Brian is an amazing player. It's a little tough to schedule things at the moment, but we're not super busy right
now. So, we're just trying to make it work.
SJ: I'm glad you brought that up, and it's kind of why I wanted to touch on it. I know Brian has a lot going on. But then you've
got a lot of different projects going on yourself. So how do you balance all of that? How do you prioritize?
CH: Well, Saint Caine is by far and away my main project. That's the main thing. I just wish that we worked a little bit more and
that we toured a little bit more. I mean me, and John, and FREEMAN have been doing this band since 2006. So, it's been
going for a decent amount of time.
SJ: I know you've got some Pennsylvania shows coming up in the months ahead. So have you guys been talking about a larger
tour? Is there any kind of nationwide tour in the works?
CH: I don't know about that. We're definitely going to try and hit some different markets and get back to the mid-west and
the north east again--like a lot of the places we hit on that last GODSMACK run. We'd love to try and do some dates in Texas,
and maybe we'll do a little west coast tour next year. But we have to see how well this record is received, and if we can get
picked up by a bigger booking agent. Or should I say by a booking agent? Right now we don't even have one. I pretty much
book all of the shows. We've got Friday, November 20th, at DINGBATZ in Clifton, NJ, and Saturday, November 21st, at
BULLSHOOTERS in Philly. Those are the two gigs that are confirmed as of right now.
SJ: I know in the past you guys have done some work with GREAT WHITE and you toured with them for a little bit.
CH: We did a little “one off” show with them when we were on tour with GODSMACK, so that was just a “one off” gig.
SJ: Okay, so have you looked at any other bands in that established realm that you may work with the next time you guys head
out and hit the road?
CH: Yeah. I mean, I'm friends with a lot of bigger bands, but a lot of people don't do what they say they're gonna do. So, we're
gonna try to make our own way and try to figure it out on our own. You know, a lot of people say a lot of stuff, but they don't
always come through.
SJ: Of all of the musicians I've worked with, you're definitely one of the more intense, serious--I would say--businessmen.
That's one of the things I really respect about you. It is a tough business. It's not just enough to be good at your craft and what
you do. You really gotta hit it hard from a business standpoint, and I know you do that. Talk to me about some of those
challenges. Is there anything in particular?
CH: To be honest the biggest challenge is the people in your own bands. That's the hardest part. You try to make a dent in the
world of music, and you try to get out and do what you can...and this guy doesn't want to play...this guys doesn't want to
tour...this guy doesn't want to do any work...this guy doesn't wanna load any gear. I mean, it's never ending. But when it's
really happening, and you're out there doing it, it's the best thing in the world.
SJ: I know what one my favorite mantras is: “You come to that defining moment in life, and you have to define the moment or
the moment defines you”. You were telling me that you were at a show one time, and something happened to the other bands’
drummer and you just totally had a Carpe Diem moment. Can you share that story? I personally loved it.