1. How and when did Christpuncher begin?
Christpuncher began in early 2003 as a side project of the band Loki while their singer/guitarist Justin was in Spain as a foreign exchange student. The lineup was Phil on drums, Keith on guitar, Hraha on lead guitar and Adam on vocals/bass. Adam sucked at bass so they asked me to play, and after hearing the first basement demo i couldn't resist-the tunes were awesome, and who wouldn't want to be in a band called Christpuncher! Once Justin came back from school, we all realized what a superior vocalist and frontman he was and gave Adam the boot!
2. Have any of you been in previous bands? Are any of you involved with side projects?
I'm a musical whore! I used to play bass for Sector 7, southside Chicago hardcore (and by hardcore i aint talking about that eyeliner wearing, chugga chug breakdown MTV2 shit). I play drums in a doom metal band On Fire, but we're currently on hiatus while my partner recovers from cancer. I also play bass in Couldron, space metal influenced by Neurosis and Godflesh. Phil and Justin are still involved with Loki. Phil, Hraha and myself started a new band called Vulture, with my buddy Al on vocals. It's basically Christpuncher with a different vocal and lyrical style.
3. Who are your biggest influences?
At The Gates, Megadeth and Iron Maiden are our obvious influences.
4. Right now you guys have an impressive 3 song demo. Any plans to record a full-length?
Thanks for the kind words! Yes we do actually, we're hoping to have enough scratch saved up to enter a real studio in the fall and release a proper full-length album with inserts, printed CD's, the whole nine yards... patience young grasshoppers!!!
5. How would you describe a live Christpuncher show?
Intense! We let Justin be the frontman and do his thing working the crowd so we can concentrate on playing. These tunes aren't easy to play!! New crowds are always skeptical at first- a black singer, a really short lead guitarist, a really fat bassist and a scrawny drummer with a huge kit. They quickly come around though!!
6. In your opinion, how does the underground scene in Chicago compare to other cities in the U.S.?
Tribute/cover bands are all the rage around here. As for originals, if you play jazz, blues, acoustic or anything related you can find work with relative ease. If you play metal, hardcore or anything that isn't deemed "hip" by the yuppies, then you're shit out of luck. There's sooooo many killer bands in Chicago - Bound And Gagged, Malas, Sweet Cobra, Rellik, Indian, Fallen Empire, Minsk, Bible Of The Devil, Johnny Vomit - just no collective scene, no overall sense of unity.
7. Any plans for a future tour?
Hopefully, i sure as hell don't want to keep playing in Chicago the rest of my life! First priority is saving money to record a proper album, after that we'll start saving for a van and hit the road.
8. What inspires your lyrics?
Justin writes them. He's extremely political with the knowledge to back his words up. His lyrics are phenomenal, thought provoking without crossing the line into preaching.
9. Besides music, what do you do for fun?
The usual shit. Drink, hang out, sleep. With a full time job and two active bands, i don't have the energy or cash to do anything really except perfect the ass-groove in my couch!
10. Where do you see Christpuncher in 5 years?
Rich and famous or broke and hungry, on top of the world or beneath the bowels of hell. We're gonna keep doing this until it's not fun anymore. If you don't like it, get the fuck out of our way!
11. Thanks alot for the interview. Any final comments?
Referencing the Chappelle Show is only funny if you're actually Dave Chappelle.
www.myspace.com/christpuncher
