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1) What are you currently up to?
Currently I am living in Buffalo
NY, where I restarted my metal band Tears End (http://tearsend.cjb.net). We are a 5 piece old school metal
band currently working on our second CD "Grey
Matter". We've been together for a year now,
and I must say, compared to the old Tears End...this
Tears End blows everything away! I am also running
an Independent wrestling federation called Old School Pro Wrestling
(http://oldschoolpro.cjb.net) and I can be booked on the Indy scene as
a manager. I am still in radio running the production
department for 107-7 WNSA, and hosting the show NO DQ (http://www.nodqwrestling.com) on the weekends. I am also djing on the
side with my company Low Key Entertainment, as well as
handling bookings for several musicians, dj's, and
wrestlers.
2) Where did you get your stage name from?
The name "Halen" came
from Van Halen. Chris is my first name. I
have had many other stage names such as X-Man, Ace of
Spades, The Minister of Darkness, and others...but Chris
Halen was the only one to stick.
3) Name your 3 high points and your 3 low
points during your tenure with the band.
high points...the music,
the inspiration, the friendship.
low points...as the drummer, not being able to
work with the band with the machines turned off
(I think that would of made a hell of a
difference, and perhaps I would of stayed
longer...as the promoter, well the last show we
did together was a disaster...and the final low
point...some of the drama. |
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4) If the opportunity did arise, would
you ever rejoin the band for performance or
recording? If no, why not, and would any 'special
conditions' change your mind?
I never say never. I still
love the music. Recording is always a
possibility. Performance may be tough with me now
living in Buffalo. But I am happy with my current
project.
5) What do you think of the current state of
Zadoc...and the Nightmare?
I liked the new stuff alot. I
haven't seen or heard anything with AZ yet. But the
stuff recorded with Ambrosia and RaYzor is awesome.
6) Of all of the members of the band (including our
roadies/makeup artists/photographers/etc.), who were the
easiest to get along with/work with and who were the most
difficult to get along with/work with?
Steve was easy to work with, as was
Kirk. Dark Cloud had his good and bad points, as
did Lord Zadoc, but in Z's case, when you are running a
show like this, you need to be tough. SINdy is a
great guy, and I loved working with him on the
GraveWalker stuff (still unreleased). The
others...I really don't remember. There was always
a changing of the guard with different people coming in
and out. I didn't work with Monster that long, and
Dan...well, he's Dan. Like Dark Cloud, he had his
good and bad points, but don't we all...
7) Which songs were your favorite, which were your
favorite to play, and which songs didn't you care for if
any?
"The End of Time" still
is one of my favorite tunes. Always has been,
Always will be. I prefer the "classic
stuff" written with Kirk and Dark Cloud.
"Twisted" wasn't a favorite though. Out
of the new stuff...."Between" is a great song,
and "All of my Nights" is another favorite.
8) What memories (good or bad) stand out the most from
your tenure with the band?
Of course, the night of the death
of the original Tears End, when I met someone who gave me
something that I will forever cherish. Those who
know me personnally know what and whom I am talking
about. That person and I have had some great times,
and some bad times...and we will always be connected
because of it. I can't say if it was good or bad,
but it happened. Besides that, a great memory is
when Z came up on stage with HRF (an old band of mine)
and we performed "The End of Time" at The
Caribou Club in Syracuse. A bad memory would be the
last gig I booked with The Nightmare at The Party
Barge. We all know how that turned out.
9) You never did get the opportunity to play with the
band onstage, but if you had, would you have worn makeup
or dressed up? If so, what do think you would have
worn or done?
I would of done a makeup job
similiar to my old Atmos/Fear X "X-Man" makeup.
Chris and a rather sweaty, red,
wrestler... |
10) If you had the chance to do things over
again, what would you do differently if anything?
Not sure what I would of
done differently, but it would be
different. I've had many opportunities... |
11) If you had the chance to assemble
'the perfect lineup' for the band, who would you choose
to comprise the band?
Well, Zadoc of Course on vocals and
guitar....myself on live drums (no machines)...and I
would have a keyboard rig in the back that I would
operate, as well as some drum triggers and pads for
electronics. Sindy on guitar and second keys. Dan
on bass.
12) Although you never performed with the band, you
did share billings with the band performing under your
various other projects, briefly managed the band, and
also attended simply as a spectator. What memories
(if any) do you have about any of the following shows
& venues with the band:
Lost Horizon - Syracuse, NY = many memories. Before I even knew Z
and became friends, and/or bandmate, my ex-fiance' and I
would regularly attend the Lost to see Zadoc. I
also was the drum tech for Vampire Choir, and we
regularly did shows with Zadoc, so that was always a
treat.
Ryan's Cafe/Oswego Falls Cafe Fulton,
NY = Tears End was the house band
there, and we played with a bunch of bands...but Zadoc
and Pagan Holiday along with Tears End was always the
perfect bill.
Jamies Coffee House - Watertown, NY = that is where I met her....we closed down
this joint, as we (Zadoc, Tears End, and Pagan) were the
last 3 bands to play there before they tore the place
down.
Wolf's Inn - Syracuse, NY = I don't think I ever saw Zadoc at the
Wolf...did I? I drank ALOT back then...
Third Rail - Cortland, NY = the more sober times...Atmos/Fear X and
Zadoc did a couple of great shows there...
Party Barge - Cicero, NY = ummmm.....next!
Armory HIgh - Syracuse, NY = that gig sucked for AFX, but Zadoc did a
very good performance
Private Parties/other gigs = the wedding was alot of fun!
13) Who are your favorite bands right now, and who are
you currently listening to?
Theoracy (a Buffalo band featuring
former Monster Dog bassist Odie...I wasn't the only one
who relocated), Blaze (featuring former Iron Maiden lead
singer Blaze Bayley...named my kid after him), alot of
Alice Cooper and Van Halen (as always), Symphony X, a
bunch of other stuff
14) The Last of Chris Halen:
The last time you've listened
to a Zadoc song = this week
The last time you've picked up
your guitar/drums/bass/keyboards =last night on keys, tuesday on
guitar and vocals, last week my bass, drums...I
think last weekend
The last current/former band
member you've spoken to =Zadoc
via email
The last time you've discussed
the band =the other day
actually
The last local/unsigned band
you've seen =36 Hours,
Groundless, and Kozmic Dragon at a show I booked
The last CD you've purchased =Blaze's double live CD
The last concert you attended
=36 Hours, Groundless, and
Kozmic Dragon at a BIG show I booked
The last movie you saw =Boogie Nights Platnium Series DVD |
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15) What was/is your favorite era of
the band, past or present, during your tenure or
otherwise?
the classic era with Kirk and Dark
Cloud
16) Did you ever get to see or hear the band, or hear
any strange rumors about them before (or even after) your
tenure with the band? How different was your
opinion after joining the band?
I saw the band many times before,
during and after my tenure. I've always loved the
band.
17) Are there songs that you didn't get to play that
were either written after your tenure, or were cut from
the setlists before your tenure, that you would've liked
to have played?
"All of My Nights" and
"The Drive"
18) Are there songs that got cut from the setlist
during your tenure that you were unhappy about?
What about songs that were added to the set during your
tenure that you disagreed with?
"Twisted"....didn't like
playing that song. Songs that got cut? Can't
think of any.
19) Hypothetically, had you stayed with the band (as
opposed to have been dismissed, or leaving on your own
accord) do you think you would still be with the band
today?
no...probably not. Like Z, I
like being in control and being the band leader.
But, I could see myself still jamming on occassion or
filling in for them.
20) Overall, do you view your tenure being with the
band as being a positive, negative, or neutral experience
and why so? Positive, and Negative,
and Neutral....all 3.
21) Anything further you'd like to add?
Good to hear from ya....
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