Chromium Interview
Chromium vocalist/guitarist, Jared Gunston, recently had a chat to Sergio about their tour plans for 2010, forthcoming album, Trivium comparisons, and the lack of reliable venues in South Africa.
Hey Jared, how are you doing?
Hi there. Things are good in the big city.
The first 6 months of 2010 look incredibly busy for Chromium. You’re going to be touring with Seven Year Kismet, releasing a DVD, touring the UK, and rumour has it a new album is also in the pipeline. How the hell do you plan to cope or even survive this mad period?
(Laughs) Well in all honesty, I have no idea! But those are the ideas and plans I’d like to complete in 2010. The album may be a bit of a “Microsoft moment”, you know…we’ll release it now… no now… now, now… no… err…. later! The SYK tour, as well as the UK tour, is our main focus at the moment though, because that is truly unthreaded waters there. But we’ll reach our goals for 2010, you’ll see!
Let’s talk about the Seven Year Kismet South African tour. SYK are one of the rising and shining stars on the hardcore scene. Is Chromium looking to learn from the tour or outshine them? In other words, are you opening for SYK or are they closing for Chromium?
I’ve already decided that I’m buying their album when they are here, plus I’m helping drive them around. We’re closing the shows, I think, but they’re still the international headliners! As I hope we’ll be when we go over to their side. Just to have the chance to meet, get to know, party with, and experience a band from the UK is gonna be a lesson in its own. Just to see how bands work over there etc.
So I guess it would be a learning experience, more than anything else. If I said to you that you could tour with any band today, who would it be?
Toughie… but I’d have to say either Metallica, Killswitch Engage or Unearth – all for different reasons!
Last year, Tempos Entertainment Park closed down. This year, Zeplin’s shut its doors. Is it getting increasingly more difficult for South African bands to showcase their talent in front of larger audiences every week?
It has become a little harder to find a reliable venue that stays open, treats the bands well and has a good turnout. Luckily I know Zeplin’s is just moving, so they’ll be back soon. Cool Runnings in Fourways seems to have picked up a lot too. Promoters just need to be careful so they don’t over use the same venue, otherwise they’ll all close down in time.
Speaking of venues, all artists say it doesn’t matter how big the crowd is, but we all know that’s bullshit. How can you find the enthusiasm to play to 2 people instead of 2000?
Truth be told, we’ve done it before and we’ll usually end up saying to those guys, “well you know what? You came, you’ve paid to be here, we’re gonna rock out for you guys!” – I believe a professional band shouldn’t change its performance; the only thing they change – by reading the crowd – is what material to play – heavier or softer, etc.
The Trivium comparisons to Chromium are inevitable, due to the similar name and sound. Can we expect the new Chromium album to draw much influence from Trivium’s forthcoming release?
Okay, let me explain the Trivium/Bullet story, cause it’s been a question that’s popped up for years. I had heard of these bands when we started back in 2005, I know it sounds lame now, but I truly wasn’t interested in finding out who they were, until the day I did – I love both bands now! But I could just see that in the future we’d be criticised for “ripping them off” meanwhile, it’s truly a coincidence…and I’m serious! I promise! (laughs)
(Laughs) Okay, next question…Chromium’s live performances have gained the band an unparalleled following in South Africa. How much do you have to drink to stomach the nerves before a show, knowing that all those people are there to see you?
Those nerves are gone and will occasionally return on the big shows, but I’d say usually 2 drinks and a shot of Sambuka and I’m ready!
Many people don’t know that you actually produced Intro Spectre and Confessions of a Hero. How hard is it to separate yourself as a musician and producer to objectively decide if a song is good or crap? It can’t be easy from an artist perspective…
When I’m working on our music I listen to it from a point of “what would I want to hear if I was standing right in front of the band now?” I like to create a reaction in people with the music, and in the second album, I think I got a bit closer to it. But in the third [and forthcoming] album I’m trying to make sure your head doesn’t stop moving!
Your fellow axe-man and co-vocalist, Matthew Engelbrecht, growls with the fury of Satan in his belly. Is he really an angry soul or a cuddly panda?
A bit of both. (smiles)
Checkout Sergio’s review of Chromium’s Confessions of a Hero, and Bret’s review of Chromium’s Intro Spectre.
- Sergio Pereira
sergio@musicreview.co.za
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