Karma: So how’s the tour going for you so far?

Guy: [Smiles] It’s going fantastic!

Karma: What are you future touring plans past this tour?

Guy: I don’t know what I’m allowed to say right now but uh, I’ll just say it anyway! [Laughs] We’re supposed to go to Europe after this.

Karma: Oh, do you know who you’re going with?

Karma: How cool is that bill!

Guy: It should be interesting.

Karma: Is it Chimaira or Caliban’s tour or… [Laughs]

Guy: [Scrunches up shoulders and shakes head]

Karma: [Laughs] You don’t care, right, as long as you’re out there…

Guy: [Smiles] Yeah, we don’t care! I don’t pay attention anymore, I just kind of show up! It’s our tour, we’ll let Chimaira play our tour, maybe! [Chuckles]

Karma: There you go!

Guy: Well, we have their drummer right now.

Karma: This is true; you do have Kevin [Talley].

Guy: They have their old guy back [Jim Andols]. We do have one of their drummers! [Smiles]

Karma: So how did that all come about anyway?

Guy: Uhmm, welll we got from our drummer saying that he couldn’t tour. So we were like, “Oh, alright…what in hell are we going to do?” We had a couple of try-outs, some went okay, some went not so okay. Then we had a phone call, but I called Kevin in passing. I’ve known Kevin for about four years and I was just like, “Yo…what are you doing. Are you interested in filling in or whatever? Do you know anybody that could do it?” He was like, “No, I going out with Chimaira”. Then I get a call a couple of days later, [Smiles] “Is that drum gig still available ‘cos I don’t think I’m playing in Chimaira anymore”! So they got their original guy back and we got him so we grabbed him up for a month or two, four or five…I don’t know! We’ll see what happens!

Karma: Well at least you have the spot filled with someone not to mention he’s good at what he does!

Guy: [Smiles] Yeah, it just kind of worked out.

Karma: Going back to your schedule, then after Europe…

Guy: …it looks like we’re going to be doing Ozzfest XI this summer.

Karma: Oh, awesome!

Guy: If you don’t know and had heard…

Karma: …Rumors had been flying around. Congrats!!

Guy: Thank you! Kinda like, we’re not supposed to announce it but I really don’t care!

Karma: From what they say not prior to the “official announcement” is made by the powers that be, themselves.

Guy: It’s just one of those things. All in all and with marketing and with the labels it’s like $100,000 amongst other things so for a $100 grand, I better be able to say whatever the hell I want to! Whenever the hell I want to! [Hysterical laughter ensues]

Karma: Basically! You have a point there!! Speaking of labels, how’s yours coming along?

Guy: It’s going very good!

Karma: Any new bands coming down the pike?

Karma: Fair enough. So how about you guys, what’s up with you?

Guy: Oh! It’s going to be the most ridiculous touring year ever!

Karma: Is that possible, more ridiculous than last year?

Guy: [Laughs] Last year was pretty ridiculous! Yeah, it’s gonna be worse or better, depends on how you look at it! Worse or better it really all depends, I mean if you’re dating one of us, it’s a lot worse. It’s like, “Hey, well I guess I’ll see you in a couple of months!” [Laughs] Yeah, well we’re out for this run for four weeks, then it turns into eight weeks, then we’re home. We’re already booking some stuff and then we have a month in Europe, in a couple of months Ozzfest. Then after Ozzfest, you have to do a US tour, and then we’ll probably have to go back to Europe… [His expression fades] Then it’s like, ‘Oh, we haven’t been to Japan or Australia’, so we’re gonna do that… [Excitement fills his face] Then you’re just kind of looking at the calendar and you’re like, “Wow, it looks pretty full!” [His once animated expression is again replaced with an unsmiling countenance] It’s pretty full!

Karma: From what I hear, wow! That’s intense!!

Guy: Last year I guess we played something like 260 shows. This year, we’re looking closer to 300.

Karma: Good lord, that’s some dedication!!

Guy: Yeah! [Smiles] So basically you can just count the days in between tours. It’s like you tell your family, whatever, “See you guys in a couple of weeks…” So you’re just used to being excited to be going on tour, then you’re a little bit excited to go home but the touring thing is your job now. I guess this in between last year and this year, we’re a full-time band right now.

Karma: Which is awesome, better than the alternative as many strive to be in your position not to have to work elsewhere.

Guy: Yeah, it beats working anywhere else! [Beams with a sense of accomplishment]

Karma: Congrats to you on that!

Guy: Thank you!

Karma: I know we were discussing Black Dahlia Murder…

Guy: I’ll tell you what happened if you want to know.

Karma: Sure, why were they forced to suddenly cancel the show?

Guy: Well, we’ll call it the “Black Dahlia Catastrophe”! [Laughter ensues] BDM had to hold some drum auditions and stuff like that and they just did a tour with the new drummer in Europe. From what I understand, their new drummer [Pierre Langois ex-Frozen Shadows and Tenebrae] is supposed to be absolutely phenomenal! He’s from Canada.

Karma: Oh, okay.

Guy: What you have to understand is for some reason the US and Canada for some reason are the only places that take themselves really that seriously. You go to Japan carrying equipment, merchandise, and whatever. [Intonation drops] Everybody’s like, “Oh, you’re in a band? AWESOME!” You go to Europe like Amsterdam, there is no customs check. “Oh, you wanna bring drugs, bombs…oh whatever!” [Laughter ensues] “Bring whatever the hell you want, we don’t care! We’ll deal with it later!” I’m not sure if they’re just lazy or whatever, they just enjoy themselves. There, [disgust fills his voice] they just don’t care because they realize if you are that serious about it and no one cares about anything, no one’s gonna blow you up!

Karma: Hmmm, that is an interesting concept.

Guy: [Raises his brow] Either way, we’ve never had a problem anywhere. However, getting into Canada for US bands is a NIGHTMARE! They tax the hell out of your stuff; they tear your van apart. They bring down bomb sniffing dogs…. All of that to get somewhere, in our case is like just a few hours away from home. From Massachusetts to Montreal, it’s like four hours. But for some reason, it’s like getting over the border is exaggerated. You need a work permit, yada, yada, yada… Everyone needs their cut of the action! So I don’t know if it’s just in retaliation or maybe it’s Canada’s retaliation for us. I guess it’s so much harder for Canadians to get into the US. So it’s like, “Oh you have an instrument, so where are your work papers?!? It’s gonna cost you thousands of dollars to do, this, and that and whatever!”

Karma: [Shock washes over my countenance] Okay!

Guy: Technically, if you just want to go in and say you’re visiting family, or whatever, have an American drive you. Like if you’re an American going back from Canada to the US, they say to you. They don’t ask you if you have any drugs or any weapons. They’ll ask you if you have any food or any tobacco products.

Karma: [Eyebrow raises] That’s true, they do ask that!

Guy: Because we don’t give a shit if there’s drugs coming into our country, as long as you’re not brining in beef jerky that’s gonna violate state regulations, and yada, yada, yada… They watch that! But if you’re in a band like us, that’s an absolute no, no! Apparently, something happened and as the Canadian trucks crossed the border that he didn’t have the proper documentation while he was still doing this tour. [Throws hands up in the air and scrunches shoulders] Why did they found that out? I have no idea! Loose lips sink ships apparently… [We both laugh] So then, after the fact, whenever, there was another attempt that was made to get the band in and it didn’t work out. Now they’re trying to get him to come in but it’s gonna cost thousands of dollars and paperwork. Supposedly, the figure I heard was like $6000 to get him a work permit.

So this other band, the one that may or may not be on this bill, that happen to have Canadian members, is that they will need to get through it. It all has worked out but in the meantime, we don’t know what the hells gonna happen. But in the meantime, our fill-in drummer, on two day notice is going to be their fill-in drummer.

Karma: What?

Guy: [Nods head] Starting tomorrow!

Karma: He’s going to be a tired bugger by end of it all!

Guy: [We all laugh] So, he will be a tired bugger, he’s going to be a confused bugger…It’s going to be an experience but you know I’ve been a fan of Kevin Talley playing since Dying Fetus to Chimaira and whatever. I think whether it’s good or bad or the way some people look at The Red Chord, whether it’s perfect or not, it is TRC playing with this guy that’s been around the block. For Black Dahlia’s sake, I hope that their fans feel the same way!

Karma: Yeah, here’s to hoping.

Karma: Unfortunately, new problems too.

Guy: Oh, yeah! I guess I don’t think it ever stops. For one not matter what the opportunity, musicians are incredibly hard to deal with and they’re just very unstable. I should be working somewhere that has nothing to do with the band. Instead I may die years earlier than I’m supposed to.

Karma: Stress will do that to you…

Guy: …yeah, I’m stressed out! I’ve gotta say with Red Chord, I mean I think I’ve had ulcers before, in fact I know I’ve had them before. Actually I probably have about seventy ulcers right now. And I don’t have insurance!  You know I could be working in Starbucks right now!

Karma: Well they do give their part-time employees health insurance but to hell with all of that, the question is would you be happy in a life such as that?

Guy: I don’t know, I would have insurance and I wouldn’t have ulcers.

Karma: But I seriously doubt insurance and not having ulcers would make you “happy” you could have them working a life such as that, usually you do. Grass is always greener on the other side. Not to mention all the accomplishments you’ve made with the band, your label…

Guy: Well no, definitely, there’s nothing like it! So as much as I’d like to have stability, within the last six years, it’s been a trip! I mean, we’re on drummer number 5, you know.

Karma: Yeah, I do.

Guy: I mean how do you respond to all of this. The only original guys in the band are me and Mike, the guitar player, Gunface.

Karma: Yeah but…

Guy: We must not be easy people to get along with! [Laughter fills the merch area]

Karma: It may not be in as much that as in your demanding touring schedule. That’s enough to make the average person crack to be away from their loved ones…especially if their hearts aren’t in it any longer. You do tour a lot!

Guy: Yeah, we do tour a lot but you’ve got to have the thirst for it.

Karma: Yes, again it all boils down to dedication.

Guy: Yeah, more than likely six months from now somebody’s not gonna to be here again.

Karma: Jonny’s still with you and it’s been about that long…

Guy: …yeah, Jonny’s going on for a good six months.

Karma: Then there’s Greg.

Guy: Yeah, Greg’s been here for a few years.

Karma: There you go, that ought to count for something.

Guy: [Smiles] Sure! It’s just that everybody’s going around in our elitist little circle and it’s falling apart weekly. It’s like every time we do a press release it’s a new member. “Just think The Red Chord has the same lineup and it’s going to be six-months”! Well think again!!

Karma: Well that’s kinda harsh. Why even listen to what other people have to say, Guy! “They” will say anything anyway, just because!

Erika: Exactly!!

Guy: We just have to think we’re better.

Karma: There you go.

Guy: And if we’re not likeable people… [Pauses]

Karma: Fuck ‘em!

Guy: Exactly! We have to do what we have to do!

Karma: Well we look forward to seeing you guys on Ozzfest and every other tour this year! Thanks for chatting with us Guy! It’s a pleasure as always!