"IN AN OUTRAGE" IS THE 8th CHASTAIN'S ALBUM. DO YOU THINK THIS ALBUM IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF CHASTAIN'S CAREER?
David T. Chastain: That is a hard question to answer. Especially at this early time. I can't really judge a Cd until after a few years. I have heard the new Cd 100s of times from writing, recording, producing, mixing and editing and it is hard to be objective. I need some time away from it. Plus certain Cds offer things the others don't. I know it is better than some but I can't say it is the best all things considered. I know a musician is suppose to say "The new Cd is the best Cd" but I am always honest so I will just have to wait on that decision. In any case I feel comfortable in saying that this Cd has the best sound production to date.
THIS ALBUM HAS A VERY STRONG TITLE AND IMPRESSIVE COVER ARTWORK. WHAT DO THEY MEAN? BY THE WAY, WERE THE LYRICS OF "IN AN OUTRAGE" WRITTEN IN "HOMAGE" FOR SOME SPECIFIC PERSON?
David T. Chastain: In regards to the cover art that was created by Travis Smith. He always seems to do covers that are really unique and out there. I told him the album title and asked him what he could come up with. In regards to the album title, we felt that title worked on several levels. A really good metal title. In regards to the lyrics to that particular song, that really is a question for Kate as she wrote all of the lyrics on this Cd. However I think she was effected by 9/11 and wrote the lyrics to that song around that time.
"IN AN OUTRAGE" HAS AMAZING SOUND AND MIXING. HOW DID YOU GET THESE EXCELLENT RESULTS?
David T. Chastain: We have been working on this Cd for nearly 4 years to make sure that everything was as good as it possibly could be. The Cd was recorded in 4 different studios and finally mixed and mastered in another studio over in Germany. I oversaw everything from a distance and tried to produce it to the best of my abilities. Sometimes working this way can be frustrating for all involved but when it works the results speak for themselves. I felt all of the members did a great job and everything just meshed the right way in the end.
HOW DO YOU FEEL PRODUCING YOUR OWN RECORDS? DESPITE YOU'RE A FANTASTIC PRODUCER, ISN'T IT BETTER TO HAVE A PRODUCER WHICH IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE BAND (SO THE MUSICIANS WOULD BE CONCENTRATED ONLY IN PLAYING THEIR INSTRUMENTS)?
David T. Chastain: Well, maybe. I have worked with producers in the past and I didn't like them "messing with my music" but I have to admit some of the changes they suggested did make the tracks better. However some did not. We are usually on a pretty tight budget and to get a producer who I would consider better than myself and I could respect would be cost prohibitive. I have always been a person who wants to do everything in anything I do, or conversely, as little as possible. I think no one has my vision as to what Chastain should sound like other than me. Would someone else's vision be better? Hard to fathom.
EACH INSTRUMENT WAS RECORDED IN A DIFFERENT STUDIO. ISN'T IT A PROBLEM TO MAKE THE ALBUM SOUND GOOD?
David T. Chastain: Not really. As long as the mixing engineer (Christian Schmid) knows what they are doing it works out the same. Plus in this band, everyone is a veteran so they know what it suppose to sound like when they are laying down their tracks. Dave Starr used an 8 string bass which definitely fattened up the sound. Drummer Larry Howe uses a Bonham setup so his tones are always going to be loud and powerful.
YOU HAVE A VERY BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED SINGER. HOW IS IT FOR YOU GUYS TO WORK WITH A SO BEAUTIFUL AND SEXY WOMAN? DON'T YOUR WIVES BECOME JEALOUS BECAUSE OF HER?
David T. Chastain: It isn't a problem for me. I can definitely keep my personal and business apart. I don't see my female singers as sex kittens but as fellow bandmates. On tours both Kate and Leather roomed with me because they knew they were safe. My wife is friends with Kate so no problem there. Kate is cool and there is no sexual tension with anyone in the band that I know of. With that said, a weaker person might be tempted to go after it. However that would never lead to anything but trouble for the band.
KATE FRENCH LEFT THE BAND FOR A WHILE BECAUSE SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE A BABY. MUSICALLY SPEAKING, DID YOU REALIZE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KATE BEFORE AND AFTER BEING A MOTHER?
David T. Chastain: Hmmm...that is a good question. She never really left the band. Differences...Well she had a hell of lot more time to work before the baby! Her child is her number one priority as well it should be. Things just took longer is really the only thing change that I notice. I think she did an amazing job on "In Dementia" and time will tell if her new performance on "In An Outrage" is judged equal or surpasses it.
WHY DID THE BAND STAY SO LONG WITHOUT RECORDING (THE PREVIOUS ALBUM, "IN DEMENTIA", WAS RELEASED IN 97)? WAS KATE FRENCH'S BABY ONE OF THE REASONS?
David T. Chastain: Yes, Kate's situation was one of the reasons. Plus as I mentioned before we wanted to make sure everything was cooking just right. Also there was no real hurry. I was very busy with my other bands, Leviathan Records and producing. We actually finished recording the Cd about one year ago. It just took a year to get all of the label's schedules together so we could release it at the same time.
HOW DO YOU LABEL/DEFINE CHASTAIN'S MUSIC STYLE?
David T. Chastain: At this time, I think I would call it Progressive Traditional Metal. Pretty much in the same vein with bands such as Dio, Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, Hammerfall, etc but with a slightly more progressive and aggressive slant.
WILL YOU TOUR WITH THE BAND THIS YEAR?
David T. Chastain: Possibly if something comes up that interests us. It has to be something special. We have been offered some European festivals for next year but we will have to see. I toured for years in the old days and I just can't see myself getting on a tour bus for 2 months. With that said, a short jaunt to an exotic locale would be fun.
BY THE WAY: WHEN WILL YOU PLAY HERE IN BRAZIL WITH ANY OF YOUR PROJECTS? FANS ARE WAITING FOR THIS SINCE THE 80s...
David T. Chastain: Get a promoter interested and we will be down there in a flash. Brazil is one of the places I haven't played that I seriously would love to play.
YOUR GUITAR PLAYING HAS A MODERN TOUCH BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, KEEPS YOUR SEVENTIES AND EIGHTIES ROOTS. WHAT'S THE KEY TO ACCOMPLISH SUCH MIXING?
David T. Chastain: I guess I'm just weird in my own little way. Originality is my goal. I'm not overly influenced by any other guitarist. I like quite a few guitarist but none that I would trade my skills with even up. I just go in and play what comes to mind and just let it go where it wants. I have fun playing all the different styles I am involved. I am just content with my playing and have come to accept it for what it is. (Whatever that is!)
ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE, WHEN YOU RELEASED "The Voice Of The Cult", IN 1988, YOU HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH YOUR CD AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THE ALBUM HAD SOME SATAN CONNECTION (!!!) PLEASE TELL US THIS STORY.
David T. Chastain: In the US there are some serious religious fanatics. For some reason they thought just because the title had the word "Cult" in it, it must have something to do with praising the devil. Idiots. We found another manufacturer and it was OK. It is really ridiculous the things people do in regards to their religions. They are so blinded by ignorant stuff that it ruins their lives and all they touch. Religion is basically the cause of all major conflicts in the world. More people have been killed "in the name of religion" throughout history than any other cause. The current Bush administration is ran by a bunch of christian zealots who are very dangerous and who wish to force their religious dogma upon the masses.
YOU HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS, LIKE DAVID T. CHASTAIN, CHASTAIN, SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN ETC. WHICH ONE OF THEM IS YOUR FAVORITE? (AND NO "EACH-PROJECT-IS-LIKE-A-SON-AND-WE-CAN'T-CHOSE-A-FAVORITE" SPEECH PLEASE...)
David T. Chastain: Well I would have to say that SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN is the most fun because the music was made to just rock out and not have to think too much about it. Nothing serious just a good old time singing mainly about women and sex. The CHASTAIN stuff is much more serious and carries more lyrical importance and is a greater musical statement. With that said, if I could only take one or two Cds to a deserted island it would probably be the David T. Chastain instrumental Cds "Next Planet Please" and "Acoustic Visions." I know I could listen to those Cds the rest of my life and I would still think they were cool. They would stand the test of time. So I guess each band/style has its positives.
BY THE WAY, HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH YOUR AGENDA TO KEEP ALL THESE GROUPS ALIVE AND KICKING?
David T. Chastain: None of the bands are touring full time bands so there really isn't a problem. Everyone in the bands usually have other outlets also, so it doesn't create friction. I would have a hard time concentrating just on one band and style unless of course something caught on big time and forced my hand. If I was in Metallica or something similar then you would have no time for anything else and you would be forced to concentrate exclusive on the one band. Fortunately and unfortunately that has never been the case with my bands. Maybe "In An Outrage" will change that.
