CHaMOMILE's Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview, what is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

CHaMOMILE

This is jon from CHaMOMILE. The name came up from where we first rehearsed. it was in a barn out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by wild chamomile. We didn't want a name that would type cast us, like the Fuck off's or something. We wanted a name that would work if we did a teegan and sarah cover band or a punk rock band.

ATP

So who's in the band and what's everyone's life story in 100 words more or less?

CHaMOMILE

it's just Chris and I. We never found a bass player and just said fuck it. We've been around punk rock bands for ever. Having a sister 6 years older, we had bands rehearsing at our house and shit, when i was in like, 4th grade. Chamomile didn't start until we both lived in the same town in our mid 20's.

ATP

In a nutshell, please describe your sound.

CHaMOMILE

Hard rock? We sound like the bands we grew up listening to, i guess.

ATP

Why did you each of you start playing music and was there a turning point from becoming the dream child that every mother and father hopes their child will become before discovering music? Why did music become a career choice for you?

CHaMOMILE

Because going to college panned out so fucking well. Totally worth the debt.

ATP

What instruments do you each play? How did you learn to play, self-taught or school?

CHaMOMILE

I play guitar and Chris plays drums. Lessons and self taught, listening to shit-tons of records and figuring out the parts. Fuck, all you need is a power chord, anyhow.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

CHaMOMILE

Our friends: Psycho Nubs, Dry Rot, Can't Get Nuns. More mainstream would be the obvious, as well as Screeching Weasel, Social Distortion, QOTSA etc...

ATP

What makes your band unique?

CHaMOMILE

Probably not much, but not many people play as hard as we do anymore. I love going to a show and seeing somebody finishing a set drenched in sweat, blood and has lost their voice

ATP

Do you write your own music? If not, who writes the music?

CHaMOMILE

I write all of it

ATP

What inspires the songs you write?

CHaMOMILE

Whatever, really. Same as most white boy rock bands; girls, booze, drugs, school, work, getting older... all that sappy stuff.

ATP

How long does it take you to write a song that�s ready to record?

CHaMOMILE

Depends on the song. some come fast and some take time.

ATP

How would you describe your local music scene? Likes, Dislikes. What would you change?

CHaMOMILE

Cliquish, dead, exhausted. There's still some really, really good bands tho.

ATP

What is your favorite local venue? Why?

CHaMOMILE

It's gone. it was fun while it lasted, the bathroom had the sink ripped off the wall, the toilet was disgusting, it smelled and had cheap beer.

ATP

What's the biggest problem you find when working with other bands, booking agents, promoters and venues when settting up a show or a tour?

CHaMOMILE

Making sure people do what they promise to do. We have no van right now, so all that is pretty fucked for us.

ATP

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

CHaMOMILE

We've definitely played a lot of shows. We've slowed way down, but that can always change.