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WHALIE NOMINEE FEATURE INTERVIEW: Chris Jones of Stressbomb

Chris Jones of Stressbomb
Nominated for "Best Punk"

Interview by Corrine Jensen

1. How would you describe your sound/the music you’re making in 10 words or less?       
Melodic thrashy hardcore punk band that broke up...

2. Of all my songs, the one that...
A. people tell me they like the most is: "Wasted Life’. It's a catchy song. The new fans always requested it wherever we played. It helps we also promo'd it everywhere for a good two years. Back in 2007 it was written mostly inspired by the death of our close friend, and one of John's best friends, Daoine (Theena) Rafferty. She passed away tragically. She was a beautiful person, talented, and intelligent. It's a shame to die so young. The song was about my observations of John's experience of losing his friend. I do not think I ever told him that. Well, he knows now. But deep down I think he always did know.

B. Is your favorite to perform is: ‘You Will Fail’. Probably one of our slower songs but very intense and full of energy. Something about the bridge to this song breaking into that wild solo... I would literally get epiphanies onstage of how awesome life can be at a live show. If nobody was paying attention to our set at that point, they were by the end of this song.

C. Holds the most meaning for you is: this is really difficult for me because many of my lyrics are based upon my own deeply held beliefs of the world but if I had to pick one it would be ‘No Time For This’. The song is about recovering from addiction from a first person point of view. It's about how most rehabbers will end up relapsing. I wrote it after reading an excellent book called Broken by William Cope Moyers. A person I had known that was in rehab for heroin had lent it to me. I lifted a few key words from the chapter titles of the book; relapse, surrender this, broken soul, redemption. We have all had our brushes with addictions of all sorts from alcoholism to gambling. While I myself have never been involved with any rehab program, this song is as real as it gets for me.

3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The advice was from the tour manager of Walls of Jericho, but they werent a band I went out with, they were a band I worked with at a festival.

4. What song or artist is your guilty pleasure?
The Chemical Brothers. I have every album, every b-side, and live recording. I have posters and remixes. As a teenager I spent some time submerged in the late 90s northeast rave scene so I loved house music and I loved dancing to it. But the Chemical Brothers combine rock elements with electronica in a way no other DJ has. Many of the fans of my music would burn me at the punk rock cross if they read this.

5. If you could collaborate with any local musician/singer/group/artist who would it be?
Daphne Martin. She is sweet and gentle with her music, which is sort of the complete opposite of what I write. But passion is a universal thing. Melodies and song structure are universal elements. Her sound is more reserved than mine. I think a collaboration would kick her up a few notches and rein my energy in a little. HAHA! She will think I'm her stalker now

6. What do you do when you’re not making music?
When not creating music, currently I am also the one half of the duo known as "the people opening the bookshop downtown". I am the marketing manager and Blog coordinator for the Scope Magazine.  I own Weekend Warrior Booking, which has put a dozen artists onto tours and festival bills around the country in the past year. I also read a couple hours a day. And I write. I am proud of the popularity of my blogs and also have completed three drafts of novels in the paranormal fiction genre. Since 1994 I have been in love with the internet. I am close to my three-year-old son named Cobain Douglas Jones. I love cooking French food

7. What do you think has been your biggest success in the last year?
Last year I booked Stressbomb as support on a ten date nonstop USA tour with Reagan Youth. As in, I handled Reagan Youths contracts as well as our own. I also was the Tour Manager for the trip, and in one of the bands. Typically this is three separate people. Not me. I think my band members were extra nice to me on the trip because they saw all the BS I had to put up with. At one point on the tour I got really fresh with my band mates, with the other band, and a few promoters. I normally view myself as quite laid back so... I have no regrets. In the end, it was a great success for everybody.

8. How did you feel the moment you found out you were up for a Whalie?
Surprised. We broke up in November. But also I feel it was deserved. We busted our asses last year.

9. If you could walk down the ‘red’ carpet with anyone/thing, who/what would it be?
Everybody that had ever "served time" in Stressbomb during our six years. Adam Allard, Brandon Boyle, John Logan, Zack McDonald, Mike Rivkees, Coy Graf and Matt Tomlinson.

10. How are you going to celebrate post-Whalies
Besides tagging pictures on facebook? I don't drink nor do any drugs so I'll probably be somebody's designated driver. I am never one to leave a party early.