Chapstik is an awesome punk band currently located out of Detroit. Originally form in San ANtonio, TX in 1996. They have a great live set and have shared the stage with a ton great and amazing bands. They have a laundry list of amazing releases. They have also toured all over the US. I got Dan to tell their story....
Introduce yourself…
Hey what's up... I'm Dan Gillies... the 19th member of Chapstik all time.
How did the band start?
Founded by Leighton Mann in San Antonio, TX in 1996. I believe the band was created to open up for Leighton's other band... whom nobody else wanted to open for.
How did you come up with the name?
Some Mexicans on Meth named the band.
Who would you say are your influences?
Everything from Pussy Galore to The Melvins.
What is the punk scene like in Detroit?
Ya know... For years there really wasn't much notable stuff going on, but we've really seen an increase in younger people going straight to the good shit. I would say Hellmouth (ex-Suicide Machines) is solely responsible for the re-surging scene, but there are still some dudes like Easy Action (John Brannon of Negative Approach) that haven't flinched in years and have just kept on going despite the waning trends.
Describe the song writing process...
The process usually starts with Leighton recording some hot licks while parked in his semi at some seedy truck stop in Nowheresville, USA. The riffs are passed around via e-mail, and then we generally have a good idea of what we're working with by the time we all meet up at our rehearsal space. But then again, sometimes fucking magic happens and songs just kind of fall in our laps.
You released 'Fire', tell us about the album...
"Fire! Die in it." was pretty much the backend of all the live shows we were doing after our Barnburner record came out in late 2008. We played a ton of shows in support of that record and really developed a lot of songs to beef up the live show a bit. We were inspired by a lot of the bands we were sharing the stage with at the time, so that's really how FDII came about.
What else have you released?
The same lineup produced "Barnburner" (Unfortunate Miracle Records) in 2008, but there have been several recordings dating back to 1998, including "Whiskey Time" (Reptilian Records) "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be... (A Tribute to AC/DC)" (Reptilian Records) and "Chimingo" (self-released, 2002), and in 2011 we released two 7" records... "Grate Americans" w/ a cover of the White Stripes tunes "Girl you have no faith in Medicine" as the B-side. We also put out a split with Detroit punks, Against the Grain with our song "Threatened with a Hammer."
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
Zeke, Speedealer, Disengage, The Meatmen, Neurosis, Boxcar Satan, Bad Wizard, Supersuckers, Easy Action, Mission of Burma, Stinking Lizaveta, At the Drive In, Honky, Jucifer, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Alabama Thunderpussy, Speedball, Heroin Sheiks, Dysrhythmia, Throw Rag, Thrall, Bible of the Devil, God Bullies, Diegrinder, Heads Will Roll, Orange Goblin, Valient Thorr, Hammerhead, Janitor Joe, One-Eyed Doll, Gnomes of Zurich, Novadriver, Quadrajets, Nick Oliveri, Devil to Pay, Immortal Lee County Killers, Turbo ACs, Modey Lemon, Starfish, Migas, Evil Mothers, Iron Boss, Electric Eel Shock, Demolition Doll Rods, Puny Human...
Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
Anywhere that'll have us... seriously.
Have you toured?
We've done quite a bit of touring around the US, albeit sporadically...
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
Easy Action is always a favorite... but touring with The Meatmen was probably one of the favorite things we've ever done.
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
I would say 31st St. Pub in PGH, Small's in Hamtramck, MI... those are the two that have felt most like home. But the band originally cut their teeth at TACOLAND in San Antonio. RIP Ram Ayala.
What do you see is the future of Chapstik?
Well, now that we're here at the end of the interview, I hate to say that we have disbanded as of November 2011. Re-forming doesn't look so hot right now, but that's all up to the band's founder and only original member, Leighton Mann. As of now, he's cut off contact with the rest of us, but the remaining members of our last lineup (including myself) are continuing on as a 4-piece that is currently working on a debut record and that whole band name thing.
How can people contact the band?
Please celebrate our catalog at http://chapstik.bandcamp.com, make friends with us at http://facebook.com/CHAPSITKBOMB, and maybe pick up a record at http://chapstik.storenvy.com/
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