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10 Questions with ... Elias Chios
May 10, 2005
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NAME:Elias ChiosPOSITION:Senior Director of Promotion/Alternative Radio and VideoCOMPANY:Roadrunner RecordsBORN:October 6, 1973RAISED:Queens, NY
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Pool Club Maintenance
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started as a receptionist at RCA Records in 1995, promo assistant/RCA '96-'97, Head of college/specialty shows Promo /RCA '97-'99, NE Regional Promo for Roadrunner 1999-2001, and 2001-present Sr. Director of Promo.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Hmmm... I think it was "Thriller."
FIRST CONCERT:
Boston at Meadowlands Arena, I think I was like 12 years old.
FAVORITE BANDS OF ALL-TIME:
U2
1. What got you interested in the record business?
Well when I was in college (and in a band I was devoting everything to) I figured I would learn all aspects of the industry, you know just in case, so I got an internship at BMG. Being in that building at the time was amazing because you just felt the energy surrounding all the bands that they were breaking at the time and it was infectious. So one thing led to another and once I got to RCA, I knew this was a great shot to really learn this business. Then I met Dave Loncao, and boy did I ever learn the business.
2. Who are your mentors?
Dave Loncao and Butch Waugh - They are two of the smartest, most genuine and honest guys to learn from in the business. They gave me a shot and stuck by me. I have been working for Lonc for 10 years now. 10 years! How many people can say they have worked with someone that long in the business? Not many. I learned all the ins and outs of this business from him. He's my second dad. Sometimes he even grounds me when I do bad things.
3. What do you like best about your job?
To say I love being a part of the team that breaks a band wide-open like Nickelback or Slipknot is cliché, but it is thee most rewarding aspect. Traveling with our bands on the road and getting the chance to witness their growth is killer, man. I was on the road with Nickelback on the first record for weeks at a time and to see what they've become now is so amazing to me. Look, I love every aspect of this job, cause I could be the guy putting the peanuts in Snickers bars. Wait, that aint that bad either.
4. What is the toughest part of your job?
Taking NO for an answer
5. You are currently working three completely different types of records -- Slipknot, Dresden Dolls, and Theory Of A Deadman -- to Alternative radio. What is your biggest challenge?
The obvious biggest challenge is The Dresden Dolls, just due to the nature of the band and the sound. This has been a labor of love of ours for over a year. Every single market we got airplay on the first single we did a lo-dough show for that station (sold a ton of records) and every single one was a MAJOR success. Sell outs everywhere. And now we got the NINE INCH NAILS tour because Trent handpicked the band himself! I'd say we are making some amazing progress with them. BUT, working Modern Rock at ROADRUNNER RECORDS is a challenge every single day.
We have a killer staff that knows how to cut through and make shit happen, and we have had amazing success stories at the format. With Slipknot, we had a Top 5 track at Alternative, not an easy thing to do for a band like that. This band was branded "scary, metal and not for us" from day one. Getting those stations that said they "would never play this" was the most fun! Theory is a band that we are still in the process of building and have over 1/2 the Alternative panel on. Another band we have every corner of this office behind 1000%. That is what I love most about this Roadrunner. We are a very focused label.
6. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ___________?
A shower.
7. What is your favorite radio station and why?
That's like saying to me what is your favorite ice cream. Sometimes I want chocolate, sometimes Mint Chocolate Chip, sometimes Chubby Hubby. Shit, sometimes I just want a damn good peanut butter brownie. You feel me?
8. In your opinion what is the biggest "missed" record at Alternative in the past year?
Ok, YOU went there … I gotta say The Dresden Dolls' "Coin Operated Boy." Yeah, it was my record but hell man.... What is ALTERNATIVE? THAT was Alternative music that tested, sold a lot of records where it was played, helped the band sell out shows in those markets, and had MASSIVE phones at EVERY SINGLE station that played it. When you see all these things happen at once and you see all the things radio always asks for happen in a record and happen so fast, you can't help to think that you had a record that could have popped real BIG.
9. Biggest career highlight?
Breaking Nickelback, hands down.
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
I'd want to be the voice for a new Muppet.
Bonus Questions
What do you like to do for fun?
Write and record music, work on my house, watch Yankee Baseball, and watch Phil Kaso eat.
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