Chris Caffery – על פרצופים ומחטים

Chris Caffery is one of heavy metal's most highly regarded guitarists, mostly famous for his past work with the mighty Savatage, he has been operating as a solo artist for the last few years. His 2004 Release, "Faces", has been a personal favorite of mine – a solid combination of melodic power metal with some strong thrash elements, with Caffery's vocals actually being one of the album's strong points, it turns out the guy knows how to sing, too. With a new album released last year called "Pins And Needles", we spoke to Chris about it, and his life as a solo artist in general.

Hey Chris, I'd like to start out with your new album, "Pins And Needles". First, what does the title mean?

Here is a synopsis some of the songs: "Pins and Needles" – Life has much adversity, tragedy and emotional challenges. In time you become numb to many situations that may have previously been extremely disturbing. "66" – The Detroit Behavior Scale shows the 66 items in respect to possible psychological and emotional implications for behavior. 66 items which are known to be significant in the diagnosis of behavior malfunctions. "Reach Out and Torment Again" – Taken from the old Bell Telephone "Reach out and touch someone" the Doctor Butcher CD hosted "Reach Out and Torment Someone". "Pins and Needles" hosts the sequel.

"Walls" – There are many walls in the world. In the world of substance abuse people can hide behind many different types of Walls… many of these Walls provide false comfort, words of love from the dead mouths of thee!!! "It’s SAD" – After nearly 20 years with the band Savatage I have experienced many ups and downs. Many things have changed. No bigger change happened to Savatage after the death of Criss Oliva.

How does that relate to the great cover artwork?

With the cover art I wanted things to be dark and to match the music. The original idea was to have me with Pins in my body but when Black Lotus folded I never made it to Greece to see Seth in Person. He had a different person model for the pics.

How does it sound in comparison with Faces?

The CD is a bit more focused than Faces More intense musically. Also a lot heavier as a piece and more futuristic and a bit experimental.

Why did it take you so long to make another album?

Hmm, I don’t think it was that long! Some people were telling me I did things too quickly! It was supposed to be out in Oct of 2006 but as I said Black Lotus folded and this changed many things!

How did the bankruptcy of your former label affect you?

It cost me a lot of money at first because I had to finance the CD myself. It also cost me a lot of time and caused me a lot of aggravation. I liked Lotus a lot they tried their hardest to keep things going, I wish they would have told me not to start recording however because there was so much stress involved with having to cover tens of thousands of dollars in studio bills and no guarantees I would get the money back. Plus my engineer did not work at a rapid pace once this happened, the whole thing sucked and I was but I am strong and knew one way or another I would tackle this obstacle.

Some history, as far as I know you started out in Savatage, what did you do as a musician before that?

I was playing in a band with my brother called Anti. We were a semi original local NY band who opened for many famous acts like Metallica, Overkill, Mountain, Blackfoot, Steppenwolf… then I was playing in the Columbia band Heaven that was produced and managed by Paul O’Neill. This is where I met Savatage.

I understand you actually played with them during the "Hall Of The Mountain King" period, yet only joined officially during "Gutter Ballads", what's the story behind that?

Paul actually wanted to add me to the band for the MtKing Tour. The band was not really into it, but when we played together it was magica and they asked me to come back and join for Gutter.

Why did you leave the band and re-joined it later?

I was young and stupid and was finding my way as a person and a musician.

How did you end up playing with Metalium for awhile?

Lars asked me to work on the Millenium Metal CD. I liked Henning and Mike Terrana and I were friends so it was a good experience and the first CD they did came out great. I produced and recorded all of the guitars and wrote a few tunes.

I know that The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is the main money-maker for all ex-Savatage guys, as both Zak Stevens told me himself not too long ago, how much of your time does that project take, and how do you feel about it and it's music?

Right now it takes at least 3 months a year. This s for the Holiday tour. In the future we plan on touring outside of the Holiday time and then who knows how much time it will take up! The more the merrier for me. I love playing with TSO, the band is amazing and the production is first class. The best live show anywhere! I have to go into the studio with them sometime soon as well.

What did you think of the new John Oliva's Pain and Zak Stevens' new Circle II Circle albums?

I love Jon’s new CD. My fav CIIC CD is still the first one, but I do like the new one lot. I love Zak’s voice and he is a great friend. I miss touring and working with him.

There has been some talk about a Savatage DVD and a possible reunion show, is that still a possibility?

It is very possible, I just do not know when or where!

At what stage did you decide to release a solo album?

When Savatage stopped playing and I had too much time off and wound up sitting in the bars waiting for Savatage to play and got depressed.

How did you decide on doing the vocals on the album as well?

I decided I wanted to do something on my own. I had no idea of what schedule I would be working on and singers tend to be a bit demanding. I just needed a way to escape musically and create on my own. The singing was hard work but I get better at it all the time and enjoy it a lot.

I think that Faces was one of the best metal albums to be released in 2004, but the musically it's difficult to relate it to just one metal genre, why is that, and is that the same on the new one?

Thank you! Well, I think you can relate the new one to Metal for sure! It has many of the same colors as Faces, it is just a bit more aggressive!

You've expressed some serious anti-war sentiments in your albums, what's your current take on the situation in Iraq?

Well, I am anti-war, anti senseless death actually. The situation in Iraq is terrible now. Granted Hussein was did not treat his people well and committed some horrible crimes against humanity, I feel the US has bigger problems right here in our own country to deal with and I would rather see us take care of them than lose lives and spend trillions of dollars on a war that will never be won.

Faces had something of a Greek "Theme" to it, was that because of the label?

Largely, it was a showing of respect for my friends, fns and business partners in Greece. I love it there.