Interviews

MR: The last TSO tour was huge as far as ticket sales and attendance numbers. I was at the Hamilton, Ontario show and TSO drew almost 10,000 fans for the very first time playing there. Was it one of the best tours ever and if so why?

Chris: First off thanks for the interview!
I think every TSO tour surprises me. I can never say which is the “Best” because they are all so special for lots of different reasons. The last tour was definitely the largest production and we saw the most fans.. The one thing I look and listen for is the fans to say “The is the best they have ever seen TSO”. Each year you want to make sure they leave happy so if they say that…then it was the best because we do this for them!

MR: The Hamilton show was the very first concert for my two boys ages 12 and 10 and they still talk about it! I remember my first real concert seeing Kiss in 1975 on the Destroyer tour and it is still something that I’ll never forget. How does it feel to know that you touch so many people’s lives and make such an impact with TSO year after year?

Chris: It is quite amazing. Just looking off the stage and seeing so many different faces from age 8 to 80 to just name a quick number…it is unlike any experience I have had with a band in my career. TSO is so unique in many ways. But the one thing that unites everyone is the music. Paul has really enabled so many people to connect with this band.

MR: Any highlights/memories from the latest TSO tour? Roger Daltrey doing Who songs with you in Long Island, New York must have been a treat!!

Chris: I think you nailed that one in the question. Playing with Roger Daltry at an arena where I saw him perform….that was amazing. One of those pinch yourselves moments. I also will never forget the crowd in Montreal, Canada. Even after we left the stage and the house lights were on they called us back with a chant of TSO….TSO….for a curtain call. That was very special.

MR: I seem to remember trouble with the lighting rig at one show where some of it actually fell into the front rows and the show had to be stopped. What in fact happened?

Chris: I am not 100% sure of the technical side. It was something electrical. No-one was hurt and that is the important thing.

MR: Is there a demand for TSO to do shows overseas and do you ever see that happening?

Chris: I get asked this all the time. Yes to both! When, I cant answer that exactly, but hopefully on the non-holiday tour following the release of “Nightcastle”

MR: What is the status of the Nightcastle album? Is it going to come out this year and will there ever be a non-holiday tour for TSO i.e playing Nightcastle and Beethoven’s Last Night material?

Chris: There will be a tour and it of course has to follow the release of the CD. I am not stating any release dates because until it is out…it isn’t out….SOON!!!!

MR: I saw you playing your new Dean Wizard guitar. It looks really cool and you seemed to enjoy playing it. Are you a full-fledged Dean guitars endorser now and what’s the big difference in their guitars over others?

Chris: I am a full-fledged Dean endorser. I have so many great guitars that I have picked up throughout the years. The thing I like about Dean is that they are very artist friendly. They realize that it is not only important that people see me with the guitars, but that I am happy with them. So many guitar companies have adapted the “Big Industry” attitude that they are more important than the artists and that they don’t “Need” endorsers. I am not looking for anything for free, I am just looking for great guitars and special attention when it is necessary. This can be as simple as having a small electronic piece overnighted during a tour. Dean not only makes great guitars but they pay attention to the little things that make an artist/company relationship strong. I love working with them.

MR: How’s your new album coming along? Any tentative release dates yet?

Chris: I am pretty much finished mixing. By this I mean I think I have pone more pass of tiny tweaks and it is ready for mastering. I am looking at January but hoping to have some copies for sale via the internet during the TSO tour!

MR: Are you going to continue with the angry, aggressive tone of Pins And Needles or do something different this time? (i.e is there going to be a Pisses Me Off sequel in the near future?)

Chris: This CD is not that angry. I think I realized that I don’t really have that much to be pissed about. Sure you can open the paper and read about politics, war, stocks and get pissed immediately. But in the end I am healthy and successful in my life and career. I want to focus on the positives. This new CD is still very heavy at times but has a lot more melody and positive emotion...Real human emotions other than the aggression and anger.

MR: It almost seems that you are avoiding doing anything that’s in the same vein as Savatage material. Is that deliberate or are you just showing your true self with your solo albums?

Chris: Actually on this next CD I don’t avoid it at all. House of Insanity is written for myself, and the Savatage fans. I was avoiding writing Savatage-like material because I was always hoping Savatage would be doing another CD. I didn’t want to compete with myself or try to take advantage of the audience. However, when I saw this harm my relationship with the fans and also saw that Savatage was indeed not playing I decided it was time to get back to making music for the Savatage fans as well, I miss them and want them to hear that I still have them and the band in my soul.

MR: What other musicians are going to be involved and are they just going guest slots or helping with the writing process?

Chris: I wrote everything this time. I “Borrowed” 9 words from Paul on one song…other than that it all my music. I did do a cool metal cover of a Bob Marley song. I think people will really like it. John Macaluso played the drums. Lonie Park (Ten Man Push/John West Band) played some keys and helped with the background vox. Other than that I recorded, engineered and played everything else. Mixed it too!!! Zak Stevens did a guest lead vocal, it is actually a duet with me! Also Glenn Drover played some solos on a song as well. He is amazing!

MR: Will there be any live shows in support of the new album and if so, do you have anyone in mind to be in your band?

Chris: I will tour next year at some point. I am doing a couple shows in Sept. As for the band, I hope Macaluso will be there. Paul LaPlaca as well, just not sure what everyone’s schedules will be like right now.

MR: I saw some pictures of you and Zak Stevens on stage at the Nightmare Metalfest in Florida just recently. It looked like you guys were having blast. Besides Jeff Plate who is in TSO with you, do you keep in touch with all the other Savatage members and are there any plans for collaboration in the future with any of them?

Chris: They are my friends and family…I hope Savatage will play. Nothing would make me happier than this! We have offers and the band is speaking about it so fingers crossed Legion!!!

MR: Have you heard what Jon Oliva has been doing with his solo albums and what do you think of them?

Chris: I like his records a lot…Tough sometimes because you get mixed emotions. I am so happy for Jon and his band but I miss Savatage so much and I hear this stuff and at times it makes me sad because I wish I were playing it with him.

MR: I know that you must be tired of this question but as the years go by, it seems less and less likely that there will be another Savatage album or tour. Do you agree or choose to remain ever optimistic?

Chris: I actually think it is more likely than less…time has a weird way of bringing things full circle…

MR: Any last words for our readers out there?

Chris: Thanks for all of your support for over 20 years of my professional career! I look forward to the next 20!!!

MR: Thanks again Chris for your time to speak with us and hope to see you on the next TSO tour this coming winter!!

Chris: Absolutely and thanks again!

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