I recently had the chance to speak with Bradley from Chiodos after their set at the Welcome To Rockville festival in Jacksonville, FL, we talked about their new album, “Devil”, favorite concert experience and more. Chiodos are currently on their headlining tour with Emarosa and Hands Like House, be sure to check out the remainder of the tour dates. Be sure to check out the band’s brand new album, “Devil”, out now via Razor & Tie.
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Q – Your band’s latest album “Devil” has been out for three and a half weeks now, how has the overall reception been?
Bradley – It’s been really good. We haven’t put an album out with this lineup in a while, so the fact that people even still care is really cool. We’re stoked on it, you obviously can’t please everyone, you have to take from the positives and negatives. Hopefully we can reach new people through this album.
Q – How did Owens and Frost’s return to the band effect the overall writing process as compared to your previous release?
Bradley – When we first got back together it took us a little bit to get back into a groove. We were just playing shows at first, but eventually we decided we really wanted to do this again, and once we got in a room together it was easy, we’ve always had good chemistry together.
Q – What are the lyrical themes for “Devil” ?
Bradley – We weren’t really going for a general themes for all of it, it was just a kind of reflection on where we were at, and at getting the band back together. A lot of the trials we had to overcome over the past couple years. We’ve all went through a lot at one point, it’s all about fighting and making yourself a better person. I guess it kind of came across a sort of religious undertone, but it wasn’t by any means intentionally.
Q – “Devil” hit #12 on the billboard top 200. Were you surprised by that, or did you expect the album to do so well?
Bradley – I was pretty surprised. I wasn’t expecting to hit quite that high, I don’t really ever have actual expectations when it comes to thing like that. Like I said before, the fact that people still seem to care, that’s an accomplishment I think. We were up against a lot of good new albums, so the fact that we could even get that high up there is a big accomplishment for us.
Q – You released a somewhat controversial music video for the song “Duct Tape”, which brought a vary of mixed feelings from everyone. What was the idea behind the video?
Bradley – My mom wasn’t exactly stoked on it(laughs). We wanted to attach a visual with each song. We wanted to be in control of what people saw and to relate to the song itself. With that mentality, we had our ideas for each song and gave it to our video editor, and he put in a bunch of stock footage that fit our themes. We really just wanted it to be a song that pushed boundaries a little bit, to let people know that it’s okay to be different.
Q – What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended that you didn’t play?
Bradley – I think it was my junior year in high school, we went and saw At The Drive-In with Stickup Kid.It was basically what I want to portray to our fans when they see us live in concert, it was sort of a right of passage. I think(laughs). And I had no idea who At The Drive-In were at the time, I went for Stickup Kid, they just came out and destroyed the place.
Q – What are some of your favorite music releases from the past year?
Bradley – The new Kendrick Lamar album, John Conner’s new release, Mayor Hawthorne, The 1975, and the latest release from Wallpaper.
Q – What’s the one band you’ve never played with that you wish you could tour with/open for?
Bradley – Probably At The Drive-In or Mars Volta, but I don’t think either of them are doing anything right now.
Q – After your current headlining tour is finished, what’s next for Chiodos?
Bradley – We are doing a co-headliner in the summer, I can’t announce it yet but it should be revealed in the next couple of weeks. We have some over seas touring after. We’re just ready to get the new album out there.
Q – Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Is there any last thing you’d like to say to any fans or supports of Chiodos?
Bradley – Thanks for sticking by, hopefully you’ll enjoy the new record and come see us live soon.
