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10 Questions with ... Christopher The Minister
July 28, 2009
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TITLE:CEO/A&RCOMPANY:Arsenal Rock N RollBORN:7/26/70RAISED:In the South -- Alabama, GA and Tennessee, FL
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
On-air KJQ/Salt Lake City from '89-'91; on-air/MD at KEDJ/Phoenix from '92-'96; West Coast Regional at Zoo/Volcano from '96-'98; National Alternative Promotion at Red Ant from '98-2000; MD at VA/Album Network from 2000-2001; Manager for Daniel Ash from '99-2002; SIRIUS from 2002-2008-2009, and currently Arsenal Rock N Roll/Justice Records.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Cook at the Olive Garden in Layton, Utah in 1989
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Kiss - Destroyer
FIRST CONCERT:
Henry Rollins
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
The Cult
1. What led to your involvement in the Love & Rocket Tribute record?
I have been a Fan of (Bauhaus/Tones On Tail & Love And Rockets) since my older brother first gave me a Bauhaus Cassette when I was 13. It was such an honor to work and tour with Bauhaus & Love And Rockets in '98 and then when we hit Detroit I took my older brother to the show and back stage to meet the band -- so it was only right that I finally pay tribute to one of the bands that influenced my career. They were the soundtrack to my high school years and the soundtrack to those early relationships with the ladies.
2. Tell us who is involved in this project?
Love And Rockets have such a huge and deep catalog of great music, I was able to end up with 29 different bands on the tribute from Frank Black, Blaqk Audio, The Dandy Warhols, The Flaming Lips, Maynard from Tool and his new band Puscifer to some of my new favorite bands War Tapes, Film School, Snowden, and A Place To Bury Strangers.
3. What would surprise people most about New Tales To Tell?
Just the fact that it's not so much a tribute but more of a interpolation of the songs and how I gave all the bands the freedom to make the song on their own, but still capture the pure essence of Love And Rockets.
4. Any interesting or funny stories to tell from this project?
Sure, I have been friends with Maynard since working with Tool back in the day on "Aenima" and asking Maynard back in February of this year, "Hey Maynard, Would you like to be apart of my Love And Rockets Tribute" and he simply replied "DUH!"
5. What was your biggest challenge?
Deadlines. This was a idea in February '08, but I didn't really start working 110% everyday 14 to 16 plus hours a day seven days a week, until around January '09. The fact that I ended up with 29 different songs from 29 different bands and artwork by Shepard Fairey and a release date of July 09 and made all my deadlines, it was a challenge and I took the challenge and delivered.
6. What is your favorite song on the album?
That's hard. Maynard & Puscifer doing "Holiday On The Moon" is amazing and the War Tapes killed it on the song "Love Me." I guess I would go with Film School who I helped produce and record my favorite Love And Rockets song "An American Dream."
7. What would surprise people the most to learn about you?
Haha, well probably believe it or not "I Say No To Drugs"
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________?
4 Shot Vanilla Latte.
9. What has been your biggest career highlight?
Taking everything that I have experienced over the last 20 years -- Club DJ, Radio DJ, Promotion, Marketing, A&R, Manager, Sound Track Supervisor -- and going out and starting a label and helping produce the artist I'm working with.
10. With a 20-year background in the music business, what would be your dream gig?
I feel the last 20 years has lead me to my dream job which is the label, but I have always wanted to write my book of what I have seen and experienced over the years in the biz and then someday soon open up a little "Rock N Roll" Coffee Shop.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Muscle Cars and Comics.
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