Who knows what would have happened if I'd never ran into Roe (owner of ChrisPierson.org) on an advertising forum a few months ago? I probably would have never even heard of Chris Pierson, let alone find myself singing lines from "Pretty Things" at random moments.
After I'd reviewed the EP and given it quite a few listens, I started to pay more attention to the bulletins I received from Chris on MySpace and I soon discovered that he was quite an interesting character. I quickly asked him if he'd mind answering a few questions for Loucifer Speaks - and, luckily for us, he agreed... and he proved to be a very good interviewee...

Lou: As I think you know already, I found out about you because of the owner of www.chrispierson.org Roe and so I'm not familiar at all with the show which you appeared on. Please could you tell me a little bit about "Rockstar Supernova??

Chris: Rockstar Supernova was the 2nd installment of a reality show from Mark Burnette (Survivor, Big Brother). The first season was with INXS. Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted, and Gilby Clarke got together and formed a super group called Supernova (later changed to Rockstar Supernova b/c of legal reasons). They were looking for a lead singer. There were 15 singers that were chosen out of about 25,000 people from around the world and I was one of them.

Lou: How far did you get in that competition?

Chris: I was in LA for about 6 weeks and spent 2 full weeks on the show (which was enough for me).

Lou: Do you feel that "Rockstar Supernova" has helped or hindered your career so far?

Chris: At first, when I came home there was not so much support in my home town of Atlanta GA, but after a while I earned that respect because people actually saw that I wasn't trying to capitalize on being that guy from Rock Star I was Chris and could actually put on a slammin show. I am also making a name as a respected producer in ATL right now which has also created a good buzz for me and the band. So I guess that's a good thing. If its one thing I have learned its that respect has to be earned. You cant just get it by being on TV.

Lou: How did you get onto "Rock star Supernova"?

Chris: I was working at the Hard Rock café Atlanta and I sound checked the PA system and the producers happened to be there. It was like 8:30 in the morning and I was hung over as shit. They heard me sing whatever it was I sang and asked me to audition. The 1st thing out of my mouth was "hell no". I didn?t want any part of reality TV. Eventually they got me with the old "you can always turn us down" trick and I did my thing. I kind of took it as a sign that someone was trying to tell me "Chris you need to do this", so as it were, they continued to call me and before I knew it I was in LA auditioning in front of Tommy Lee and the rest of the guys.

Lou: I recently reviewed your EP - "The Height Of Paranoia" and I've got to say - it's brilliant. Who are the other musicians on the EP and they permanent members of the band?

Chris: Thanks! We are going to be remixing some songs for radio soon. All the guys are permanent members. We really function as a band. I do most of the writing but everyone plays an equal role in bringing there own taste and style to the music in the end.
The rest of the band is:
Kent Aberle- Drums
Jake Kitchen- Bass
George Marlow- Lead guitar

Lou: What is your favourite track from the EP?

Chris: Like yours, "Pretty Things". I love the dynamic changes in the parts especially the bridge.

Lou: I really like "Pretty Things". What is that song about?

Chris: Pretty Things is about running from your demons. Its also about confronting them. The more you run the less places you have to hide and eventually will have to find a way to deal. I guess its more or less about the battle between the two.

Lou: How did you choose which songs would find their way on the EP?

Chris: I had written "Morning Sun", "Alive" and "The Call" when I was in a band called Streetlight Syndrome. I wanted to do a little different version of "Morning Sun"(previously recorded). "Alive" and "The Call" never got recorded. Those were songs I thought had really good potential. I wrote "Pretty Things" and "It means nothing" after the band broke up. "It means nothing" was written and recorded in two days, so naturally it had to go on because it was just one of those things where magic kinda struck and it just poured out.

Lou: Did you produce the EP yourself?

Chris: Yes. I wanted to give all the guys the freedom to run and do whatever came natural to them. We went through our pre-production phase relatively loosely for that reason. It wasn't until after when we had recorded rough tracks of everything that I started analyzing all the parts. Kent played to a click track for everything in pre pro which made it much easier to build the final tracks around it. Everything got re-recorded for tonal reasons and it was a pretty painless deal to work through. The guitars and synth/ keys were recorded in our studio and the bass, drums and vocals were recorded at my good friend Tony Copley's place, Ledge7 Studios.

Lou: Why did you call the EP "The Height Of Paranoia"?

Chris: We live in crazy times right now. War, tidal waves, global warming, genocide, you name it and its going on right now. The feeling I had when I was writing a lot of these songs was one of question. Not knowing how the record was going to do, touring, my relationship with my fiancé, finding and hanging on to a band since I had gone solo, decompressing from being on global television. Well I think you get the point. Wouldn't that make you paranoid?

Lou: What has the feedback been like for the EP?

Chris: The feedback has been really good. I really wanted to introduce us to the world with it and I think we are gaining towards more exposure, which is good. We are a touring band so that is when we are able to hit the streets and really push it out there. We are very ready to get back out on the road the fall and its looking like there wont be much time for a break as we are getting booked already in to next year. Then we have cool folks like you who give bad ass reviews. Thanks!

Lou: Do you have any plans to release a full length album in the near future? If so, could you tell us a bit about what to expect from it? Will it have a similar vibe to the EP?

Chris: We are currently in the pre production phase for the LP. We are dwindling down about 25 or so songs. You can expect a lot more energy from the LP. I have really been into industrial (Filter, Deftones, old Manson), rock rock (STP, Velvet Revolver, Army of Anyone) and new wavy stuff (Rock Kills Kid, Shiny Toy Guns) as of late, so I think its shaping up to be a killer record. We are very excited about it.

Lou: If you could get any musician to guest on your album, who would it be and why?

Chris: I would really like to write a song with JR Richards from Dishwalla. They have always been a huge influence on me. I think JR and the way he approaches writing is very similar to mine. We dig the contrast between light and dark. He writes some of the sickest lyrics and melodies. Snoop Dog would be fun though!

Lou: Where do you get inspiration for your songs (including the lyrics) from?

Chris: I used to base most of my songs on personal issues but now that I have grown up I tend to take in what is going on around me more now. I like to see what is happening around me and use it to influence my own life. After all, our experiences are what make us who we are.

Lou: If you weren't a singer, which other instrument would you play? Personally, I think the kazoo is massively underrated! Hehe

Chris: I think the harpsichord should make a comeback. Maybe not. I always have nightmares about our drummer not showing up and me having to play. I suck! My left and right foot act as if they are on different bodies. I would like to figure those damn things out!

Lou: Which bands/musicians have influenced you the most?

Chris: I would say Stone Temple Pilots, Filter, and Dishwalla where the most influential ..ing me figure out what direction to take. I am heavily influenced by everything that is good though.

Lou: What was the first album you ever bought? And, what was the last album you bought?

Chris: Def Leppard?s "Hysteria" was my first disc, excuse me 'tape' I ever picked up. What a fucking record that was! I think I was about 7 or 8 years old. The last one I picked up was Mutemath's new disc. Its not so new anymore but its kick ass!

Lou: I read in your blog that you are working on a clothing line for women. What sort of designs will you have and what is the line called?

Chris: The line is tentatively called "Rock it girl" but this will probably be a style in the line. The clothing line is for women and its really a call to action to them to start respecting themselves a little more. It has a kinda punk rock attitude in that it doesn?t matter what you look like, if you own your shit you can get whatever you want. The line is all about a positive attitude but also say?s that you are not afraid of anything and wont take any shit from anyone. We are still working out the designs, but there will be a lot of skulls and cool designs to choose from. The clothes run in every size, no discrimination here.

Lou: What made you want to start a clothing line?

Chris: I have always been in to fashion. Not in a crazy way but I have always been aware that appearance means a lot. My mom taught me a lot about being strong and handling your business. I come form a separated home and my mother worked her ass off to take care of us. When my family split up we were broke. I got to watch her go out there and work it and now she is getting close to a cushy retirement and she is only in her late 50?s. Myspace and the internet is very cool but it has given girls the opportunity to exploit themselves at an endless capacity.
-------Just for reference girls, do you really think that if you show yourself naked that you are going to find a good man or woman. NO! All that says is "I wanna fuck". If that is your bag then I respect that, but if you re trying to get attention from it because of your insecurities then I recommend you check yourself. Respect yourself and people will respect you.

Lou: I've noticed that you're playing quite a few shows at the moment. Do you have any plans to tour outside of the US?

Chris: I really would like to get over seas sometime next year. That has always been a goal. We are ready to come to the UK!!! Butch was telling me about how cool Japan is too.

Lou: What can people expect from a Chris Pierson show?

Chris: You can expect a donkey show, no not really! A great party and great music. We like to put out a lot of energy so everyone gets their money?s worth and if you want to know more check out our bio on myspace.

Lou: Do you have any Chris Pierson merchandise available? Where can we buy it from?

Chris: Yes, you can find our EP at www.ledge7.com or soon it will be available on www.CDBaby.com and Itunes. You can also check out www.chrispiersonrocks.spreadshirt.com for T?s, underwear, and some of the "Rock it girl" line.

Lou: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.


More Links: Chris Pierson thread on the Loucifer Speaks forum, Chris Pierson Band Profile, "The Height Of Paranoia" Review.