Metal-Rules.com Interview With David T. Chastain
Interviewed by
Rick Maloney
David T. Chastain is one of the preeminent guitarists in the world
today. On the metal scene since the early 80s David has released Cds
with CJSS, Chastain, Chastain/Harris, Zanister and solo. I recently
got the opportunity to interview David about what is going on with him
including the release of a brand new CJSS CD entitled "Kings of
the World."
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What lead to CJSS putting out "Kings of the World,"
the bands first CD in over 14 years?
We re-released the first 2 CJSS Cds 'World Gone Mad' and
'Praise the Loud' in 99 and we did a few shows to support the release.
I discussed the matter with the band and we were all happy with the
vibe amongst the members. I put the word out that the band would be
interested in doing a new recording and we got some offers from some
pretty good labels. We choose Pavement because at the time they had an
A&R guy who was a big CJSS fan.
Who made the first step in getting the band back together? Was
it a case of being asked all the time by your fans when the band will
be getting back together?
I guess it was more me than anyone since I also run Leviathan
Records and had the idea about the re-release. Of course throughout
the years we all have stayed on good terms and we never officially
broke up or had a falling out.
How did you come about being signed to Pavement Music?
As I mentioned before we put the word out about the band. Also
Pavement Music licensed the re-releases for Europe so they were the
natural choice at the time.
"Kings of the World" sounds very classic in its
approach to metal. Was it a conscious decision to create a classic
sounding disc or is that just what the band sounds like creatively?
We wanted to make the songs and sound of the CD as if it was
recorded when the other 2 Cds were released. We had 50 songs we had
written between 87-92 that were never used so we sent those as a demo
to Pavement and they choose the songs that ended up on the Cd. In
other words we made a conscious effort to make the Cd a continuation
of the first 2.
How does it compare to the older CJSS material?
I think that it all sounds pretty comparable in most ways.
Even though we made all attempts to make it "retro" all of
our individual playing has changed a little over the years so that
comes out from time to time.
A Favorite song of mine off "Kings of the World" is
"The Executioner's Song". As you co-wrote all the
tracks except one could you tell me if you have a favorite song on the
disc?
I guess the more commercial Track 'Thief of Hearts' is the
track that I hoped would be the style of the Cd. We had a bunch of
this type of material in the 50 songs but Pavement didn't choose any
of them. They wanted it heavier sounding. I think I like all of the
songs pretty much equally. On any given day I might say one was my
favorite over the other.
Are you a prolific songwriter with loads of unreleased songs lying
around or do you just write the bare minimum needed for a CD? What do
you use for inspiration to write such great tunes?
I have enough demo material laying around for probably 50 Cds.
I have a creative river in regards to songwriting. People may differ
on the quality but I have no problem with the quantity. I think I will
have a new company at some point that will just release all of these
old demos for people to check out. They aren't really recorded
properly for a real release but there is some really cool stuff
collecting dust. Just the other day I found an entire Cds worth of
material that I had recorded that I more or less had forgotten about.
Great stuff to me!! There is really is that much stuff here that an
entire Cds worth can get lost or forgotten. It just takes time to
filter through it all.
Why has it been so long between CJSS Cds? The last CJSS CD was
released in 1986. 14 years seems like a long time between releases.
Why didn’t the band record in the intervening years?
Back in the late 80s there were just some problems that
prevented the band from moving forward so I concentrated on the
Chastain and instrumental material that was selling better at the time
anyway. We still played live shows from time to time and we never had
a big fight or anything.
Will there be a tour behind this release and if so where will it
be taking the band?
We will probably only play around the Cincinnati area as
everyone has numerous commitments in there every day life that makes
traveling not possible.
How do you feel about the Metal Scene in North America.? For
years it seemed like metal was pushed underground. Does it feel like
metal is on the rise and making its way back into the mainstream?
What passes as commercial metal in the states is all of the
rap/metal nonsense. THAT is really depressing. It is worse than grunge
to me. It does seem there is a slight resurgence in traditional metal
with the somewhat successful release of the new Maiden and Halford
Cds.
Where is the main market for your music? North America or
Europe? Do you do well in Japan?
It depends on the band. Unfortunately Japan which use to be
the best market for everyone has had hard financial times for most of
the labels due to the economy. Music is a difficult thing to sell
anywhere if it is 'not in vogue.'
You have just released a
CD with your group Southern Gentlemen
called "Exotic Dancer Blues."
Yes that is a style of music that I have been recording on the
side for at least 10 years more for my on enjoyment. However I decided
to release it on the public and the response has been very, very
positive. Actually the best reviewed Cd of my career. www.southerngentlemen.com
I really enjoyed making this Cd and it is getting great response from
both the metal and straight community.
Why did you choose to do a CD of hard blues songs?
Mainly because it was an enjoyable experience. In this type of
music it is more of a party atmosphere and not any really heavy topics
to sing about. The music is simple and it is not like having to take a
pop quiz on every song.
Why did you choose to handle the vocals and is this the first
time that you have handled the vocal responsibilities yourself?
Originally we had some name vocalists demo the material but my
voice just fit the music better. I have sang before in CJSS but just
never lead on a Cd. I don't really have a metal voice but the blues
styled stuff I make a passing attempt. Overall the response to vocals
has been very encouraging.
Did you approach the song writing process for this CD any
differently than for any of your other projects?
When I sit down to practice guitar a sit by a tape recorder
and I am never sure what style of music is going to come out of me
that day. I find writing SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN material very naturally
and easy. I KNOW I could write an entire new Cd of material by this
time tomorrow and there be some cool stuff on it.
Do you prefer the bluesy guitar style on this disc or the shredding
style that you are known for?
At this point the bluesy guitar is coming more naturally only
because in some ways it is easier. It other ways more difficult. I
really don't have the time to devote to keeping my metal chops up to
the level that is necessary to be at the top of my game. If I am doing
a metal Cd then I have to practice a lot to compete. Whereas the
bluesy stuff is simpler but the phrasing is more important. There are
good points to both styles. Both are appealing to different parts of
the body. Metal to the head, blues to the heart.
What, if any, is the story behind "Chastain" vocalist
Kate French being on the cover of "Exotic Dancer Blues"?
Kate sent me that photo a few years ago and we originally
planned to use it in the promotion of CHASTAIN but there was never a
good place in time to use it. Once I decided to do the SOUTHERN
GENTLEMEN Cd I new it would be a perfect cover.
Speaking of Chastain. When is Chastain the band going to be
recording a new CD?
Maybe in 2001. Kate had a baby and has been busy being a
mother and couldn't really concentrate on music. Things have calmed
down a little and she is now back in gear.
First Leather Leone was the vocalist for Chastain and now
Kate French. Why female vocalists? Is that just a coincidence or does
your vision of Chastain work better with a female lead singer?
For some reason I gravitate towards female vocalists. The only
vocalists who can put chills down my spine are women. Both Kate and
Leather are great singers. I even like some of the pop female singers
such as Shania, Jessica Simpson, Christina, etc. They are great
talents no matter what the style. In regards to Chastain most of the
material was just a little too high for men to sing and if they did
they sounded like munchkins.
How does it feel to be in the music business for almost 20 years
and to never have gotten a household name? Most people in the metal
community know of you and your various projects but outside the genre
you are a virtual unknown and have never gotten the recognition that
you deserve.
Doesn't really bother me. I never intended to be on the cover
of Rolling Stone. I don't make music for money or fame. I make music
because it is who I am. If people like it, that is great. However I am
my own final judge and jury. With that said if any project became a
huge seller I am not going to refuse the money, fame or glory.
What do you think of other "guitar heroes" such as
Yngwie Malmsteen, Chris Impellitteri, Michael Harris etc?
I like Yngwie's instrumental stuff, not that familiar with
Chris and of course I like Harris' material. Michael and I have played
in 2 bands together, Chastain Harris and the new Zanister. We respect
each other's abilities and there is no ego problems involved. There
are a lot of other great guitarists out there. However many of them
can only play guitar and are not very good songwriters.
You also have a stake in Leviathan records. What is your
involvement with this label?
I am co-owner and I basically run the company's day to day
operations. We have been in business since 85 and continue to make
enough money to survive. IT IS HARD WORK!!
How do you manage to juggle your various projects? I mean
doesn’t a record label, 3 bands and a solo career take up a large
amount of your time?
Yes I have no life to speak of! However I am a workaholic and
I believe myself to be extremely efficient on most tasks. Plus my girl
friend works from 7 at night till 7 in the morning so I don't have a
woman yelling at me to spend time with her. I usually have 2 or 3
things happening every minute. I kind of go crazy sitting around doing
nothing. I have also written a book about a fictitious band called
Saint Savage. I hope to release it next year, once I am through
editing it. I also am writing a murder mystery but I am only about
half way through that.
Do you do any session work for other performers or is all your time
spent on your own projects?
I am too involved with my own music to play on other people's
Cds. However I do produce other bands such as Kenziner and Vainglory.
Do you make a living from your music or do you have to work a
"day job"?
Well running Leviathan Records is a serious day job but at
least it is in the music business. I have never had to have a straight
job once I turned 19. Always music in one form or another.
When my musician friends found out that I was interviewing you
they all wanted me to ask you a few questions about your gear. What is
your favorite guitar? Amp you prefer to use and effects that you use
to create your sound?
I don't have a guitar that I couldn't live without. I have
been using mainly old Kramers throughout time but occasionally I would
use a B.C. Rich and the last few years I have also been using a
Yamaha. Amps vary between a Marshall Valvestate, Lab Series L100, the
new POD is something I am using a lot lately. Great sounds in a box!
Why have you never released an instructional video like so many
of the other guitar greats?
Actually I have an instructional video that came out on the
market back in '93 or so. It still sells pretty well. If anyone is
interested they can find out further info and ordering information at www.leviathanrecords.com/vidcat.htm
The drummer on the video is Scott Travis of Judas Priest fame. There
is actually quite a bit of live jamming on the tape with 2 full songs
performed by the band.
Thanks for the opportunity to interview you David. Is there
anything you would like to say to the readers of Metal Rules!!?
Check out all of the Leviathan Records acts at www.leviathanrecords.com
Spread the word on the 'true artists' that are out there not the
current trend of the month.
Best regards, David T. Chastain.
Visit Leviathan Records on-line at: www.leviathanrecords.com