Who is 2 Headed Chang? Can you give a brief description of how and when the band was created?

In 1998 I was playing with some buddies in a 77 punk rock band. The drummer decided to go join the Navy, and we all kinda split. The guitar player and I had been working on some metal riffs after practices, and we decided to put together a metal project. We started out playing more "rapcore" type stuff, because the only available vocalist at the time was one of our friends that was really into hip-hop. Later on though, the songs got heavier and no one really wanted to do the hip-hop thing any more, so a couple of lineup changes happened until we were totally satisfied. I think this lineup we have now is so diverse, and so like minded at the same time that as long as we stick out our time in the trenches, we'll come out with something no one ever expected.


From reading your bio, it sounds like you are a group of guys who like to joke around on stage throughout your live show. Is that the basic mentality of the band? How much seriousness is there during your performances?

There is a pretty much 50/50 mixture at our live shows. We have a lot of "hardcore" sounding songs, but we never take ourselves TOO seriously. We're all doing this to have fun. We don't have the answers to the world's problems, but if we can all have fun by letting out some demons every once in a while, that's all I need. There are a lot of hardcore bands out there that are just too much "piss n' vinegar" if you're not straight edge, if you don’t listen to the right bands, if you can't do the lawnmower right, then you can't hang. That's the exact opposite of our mentality. We grew up on Motley Crue, and Poison etc. where it was all about music, motorcycles, and titties. Not to say that's all music means to us, but without that element of fun and flamboyance, you kinda lose the magic that makes musicians heroes.


Who do you consider to be a heroic musician?

For me, all of KISS, Anthrax, Motley Crue, Poison, etc... I really like the old hair rock musicians, because they dragged their music through the mud for as long as it took for them to get where they wanted to be. I don't think we'll see rock and roll like that ever again.  Even though we don't reflect that style in our own music, we really respect and admire the dedication they had.


Most of your tour dates that are set right now are around the Seattle area. Does 2 Headed Chang have any plans of a US tour or anything away from the northwest corner of the country?

We are planning to go down the west coast in July with Optumis Prime, but the dates aren't all set in stone yet, and funding is always an issue. If July treats us well, we will do all we can to stay out on the road and get drunk,and piss people off (heh heh).


You played at Ozzfest in 2002.  How much of the tour did you participate in? How did things go on that tour?

We were the local openers for the date at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington. It wasn't a life defining gig or anything, but it was definitely a good time. We hung with Andrew W.K. (the nicest person EVER!) and watched all the other bands. Pretty mellow, but definitely cool. A lot of people recognized us as well. We definitely widened out fan base after that gig.


How did 2 Headed Chang get on the the bill for that show?

One of the people that works for House of Blues, (who owns the Gorge amphitheatre in Washington), met with us before a show one night, and we gave him a package and asked to be put on the bill as the local opener.


With all the publicity that you have been getting and the shows that you have done, has there been any label interest yet? Are you shopping around for labels with your new album, "Dead City Rodeo"?

Yes we have been shopping to anyone that will take us. It's been kinda rough though with our sound, because it's not death, it's not completely hardcore, and it's definitely not mainstream, so we kinda have to pick our time, and find our particular spot ya know? I think that after some more extensive touring, we will be able to go to the labels with a little more muscle behind us. We'll just have to wait and see. Right now the most important thing is getting some tour support so that we can get out there and get a bigger fan base.


If given the choice any existing label, which label would you like to be signed to?

That's a tough one. I really would go for Metal Blade myself, because I grew up listening to that label. Others for me would include Roadrunner, Epic, Elektra, basically whoever is willing to take care of us as a band, and put the same effort into our band as we do.


What is your definition of a "Changster" and who came up with the term?

I think Coleman came up with it. We are always looking to find something to help the fans identify with us and each other. We also want to keep that corny side of our personalities in there, so when someone comes up with something like that, (a joke but only the fans get it), it generates a laugh, and a sense of belonging that is really important in this scene.


Do most Chagsters seem to share your viewpoint on music being about "music, motorcycles, and titties"?

I don't know. I think they all understand that we're here to have fun with our music. We don't have any political agenda, or tortured message that has to be heard. I write angry sounding lyrics, and horror based songs to match the tone of our music that's it. But we play that music to have fun with our fans and friends. I think our crowd has a pretty good grasp of that idea.


How did you get the nickname, "Sparkles"?

That, my friend, is a VERY long story. I'll just tell you to watch the episode of Chris Elliot's "Get a Life" where Chris Elliot decides to be a male model..... As far as WHY I go by such a girly nickname, I have a lot of asshole friends, and whenever we would play a local show, I would introduce the band and at the end I would say "and I'm Kurt". At that point, (without fail), one of my asshole buddies would yell out "NO YOU'RE SPARKLES!!!!". Finally I just gave up and gave the rest of the band goofy nicknames so that mine didn’t sound as bad, and it all sounded intentional. But then again it all goes back to keeping the jokes part of the show.


At the end of track 5, "All Things In Excess", there is a guy rambling about the "you only life once" theory that the song expresses. Who is that guy? Are you the creator of those lyrics?

That actually was all ad-libbed by our producer Aaron Daniel. We got a little too drunk one night while we were tracking vocals, and said "fuck it let's write a country/gospel song, THAT'll be cool...." (right?) And that's what you hear at the end of that track. Two drunken assholes with recording equipment.


Has the creation of your street team helped out a lot with promoting your shows and the album?

Yes and no. Yes, the close area shows have gotten bigger, and the album is picking up on sales, but the only street team we have is local kids. Anywhere out of town is where we need the extra help. I think though, that once we get out a little more, we'll pick up street team members in other areas and it will grow faster from there.


In the reviews that I have read for "Dead City Rodeos", it is mentioned that the album is addictive and can't be listened to just once? Why do you think that is? Are there any albums that have that same effect on you?

I still like the songs on that album, and we tried to write metal songs that weren't sell out radio rock songs, but still had hooks.  I think there are a lot of parts on this album that can stick in your head. (and in a good way, not like 50 Cent) That seems to be missing from a lot of the extreme metal scene right now, not to trash on it at all, we are all HUGE fans of extreme metal, but with hooks, and little melodies you can get the hairy metal heads, AND everyone else into it. We try to have something for everyone.


Has 2 Headed Chang been working on any new material or other plans?

The second album is about 1/2 written already, and we are working as fast as we can to get back into the studio. We have cut a couple of the new tracks at live shows, and they will be available on the website soon (www.2headedchang.com)


How can people contact you or find out more about the band?

It's easy to contact us, and 80% of the time we will actually get back to you in a timely fashion. Just go to www.2headedchang.com click on the link to email us, and send a message to the band, or whichever member you want.


Any final comments?

Get the CD at www.CDbaby.com, and play it LOUD!!!!

 

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