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All Access Exclusive - 10 Questions with Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria
October 26, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I like to think of us as a progressive band, but not really as the specific genre, but more in the way that we don’t put musical limitations on ourselves and we’re always evolving.
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Travis Stever (Guitar), Zach Cooper (Bass), Claudio Sanchez (Guitar / Vocals) and Josh Eppard (Drums)
1) Let’s start at the beginning. I know the band has been around since 1995. Give us the scoop on where and how the band formed?
Coheed has actually been a band since 2001, the members have been playing together in some form through our local scenes since 1995.
2) What is the origin of the name Coheed and Cambria?
I went to Paris to visit a girlfriend of mine at the time when I was just out of high school - I started constructing characters around a concept I was creating based on my experiences and my family and so on at the time. I had some songs and I started intertwining the characters into them. Cambria was just a name I liked and Coheed is a name I just created. I came back from that trip with a couple songs, and it all just snowballed from there.
3) What bands or artists have inspired you and you’d list as major influences from the start and even up until today?
Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and a lot of others, but also Star Wars, Krull, True Romance. It was and still is a myriad of sources.
4) Coheed and Cambria’s music has been described primarily as “progressive rock”, but how would you describe your music?
I like to think of us as a progressive band, but not really as the specific genre, but more in the way that we don’t put musical limitations on ourselves and we’re always evolving.
5) Now let’s talk about the new single “Shoulders” that is doing great at Rock Radio. What’s the story behind this song?
“Shoulders” came out of the idea of the band historically not being embraced by your usual tastemakers and my acceptance of that - and how it relates in life - where you need to follow your true self and not get caught up in trying to appease others. Creativity comes from within and not by others’ acceptance of it. Be yourself, basically.
6) You’ve primarily done concept albums over the years with the last one “Vaxis-Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures” released in 2018. What can you tell us about your next upcoming studio LP?
We’ll be announcing it soon - it’s definitely “Vaxis 2," the 2nd volume in a penology. “Shoulders” would technically be the first single.. We are really excited and can’t wait for people to hear it.
7) Regarding concept albums, you were quoted in Rolling Stone saying, “Concept records in themselves are not weird, but for a band to continue a concept over their discography can be a little intimidating to somebody on the outside.” What did you mean by that?
The idea of diving into a long running concept arc might feel overwhelming for some people - Kind of like beginning The Walking Dead with Season 8. But while our albums have that concept side, they are also easy to digest on their own. So while listening to a newer album might want to make you go back and listen to previous records, you can enjoy them individually. It’s not intimidating at all.
8) What’s your take on Rock Radio and do you have any choice Radio moments you can share?
Listening to Howard Stern on 9.23 K-Rock in NY at work is a memory I enjoy. I knew when his show was ending my break was coming. As far as rock radio, we’re just happy they’re embracing our song, “Shoulders.” It feels like a new beginning in a way.
9) Last month you finished a co-headlining tour with The Used. How did everything go on that tour and when do you think you’ll be back to hitting the road again?
It was great! Despite these difficult times, the tour was super fun, safe and smooth sailing. It was really nice get back out there. We have a cruise set for next week and then we’re definitely cooking up plans for 2022. Can’t wait to share that.
10) Finally, what do you and other members of your band like to do for fun (hobbies etc.) when you’re not in “Rock Band” mode?
I like to hang out my son - we have a blast, I like to play video games (often on Twitch), make music, and I love to walk around the greatest city in the world, NYC! I walk a lot!
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