Background: From trouble maker to starting a music revival here in Cornwall Ontario - Staggerin' Chazz Coletrain is a busy man as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and manager of the Midnyte Revival. From hosting shows to playing on college radio and rocking Zaphods in Ottawa - the Midnyte Ghost Train is moving full speed a head! Here is my interview with Chazz Coletrain.
The Interview:
Jason Setnyk: What's the name of your band? What's the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before?
Chazz Coletrain: Originally we started out this journey to the center of Rawk'N'Roll known as The Troublemakers. It was not until about a year later that we contacted Rene of Montreal Psychobilly band The Brains to book a gig. He said, "are you guys having trouble booking shows??", as a matter of fact yeah, and he then told us that there was a notorious group of skinheads with the same name. So a name change was in order. After about a week of compiling name ideas like Shattered Mirrors or Melted Candles, insert the name The Midnyte Revival. Throw on the garage rock spelling from midnight to midnyte and voila The Midnyte Revival. But where does it come from? At first the name bounced around in different forms. But the origin I remember most is when I was in a living room space rock band called My New Bestfriend. It was the name to the fictitious record label that "released" our demos.
Jason Setnyk: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Chazz Coletrain: The style of music we play is Garage/Punk. The Midnyte Revival is like the Frankenstien monster, its made from a mix of 50's Rock with a heavy dose of 60's Garage, splattered with 70's Punk, a dash of 80's Indie Madness, overloaded with 90's Grunge Fuzz. Citing bands like The Stooges, Dinosaur Jr, The Cramps, Jay Reatard, King Khan and the BBQ Show, The Misfits, The Kinks, and Mudhoney as some of our influences.
Jason Setnyk: Where have you performed? What bands/venues have you played at that are remember-able?
Chazz Coletrain: We were lucky enough with the first chapter of the band to hit the road and play close to a hundred shows . Playing shows with some really cool bands such as Fuck The Facts, The Guts, Highway,The Riptides, and Friendly Fire. We love rawking out with The Annoyers. You have not played a show until you have shared a stage with these guys. Another Midnyte Fave is Dionysos from Montreal, Chris Danger and crew always seem to find their way back to us. We are a party what can I say? A few memorable shows for us were at Mavericks in Ottawa, Playhouse (a defunct strip club) in Montreal, and the London gig with 13 Lashes and D.D.O.F. It is all these fun times and memories that have The Midnyte Revival back up and running again.
Jason Setnyk: How has your music evolved since you first began playing?
Chazz Coletrain: Things have come along way for the revamped version of The Midnyte Revival. Gone are the days of drinking a 26er of Royal Reserve each to fuel the show. We do like to party but the music has grown to where we need to be more cohesive. With a much needed line up change. The band seems to be growing in so many different ways. This time around we are properly writing songs and not rushing through it. We try and let the song find its way, write lyrics and not waste time. A bad habit we had before. Our sound is changing a little bit. The garage influence is starting to show its face, and we are more aware of what our instruments can do. Chris and I are comfortable with our instruments. When we first started Chris did not play drums, and I was a drummer turned guitar player. Over the years we found our zone and our new songs show it. We have a more grounded image of what we want the band to be and sound like. How has our music evolved since the beginning? For the better I would say.
Jason Setnyk: What can you tell me about your instruments? Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style, model, brand, or color preference?
Chazz Coletrain: The Midnyte Revival don't really have a loyalty to brands. There is gear we would like to have , but we are not really picky. We started the band with a $60 Hamer Slammer electric guitar, a pawnshop drum set, and a mix 'n' match sound system. Equipment that would let us make our noise. Now we have a better idea of the musicians we want to be, and that is what led us to buy new equipment. We rawk out on some cooler gear like a Gibson SG, and a set of Pearl Masterworks. If it sounds good and looks cool, I will play it.
Website: www.reverbnation.com/themidnyterevival
Upcoming Shows: The Double Whammy Record Fundraiser for their new album is this Saturday January 22nd at Murphy's Inn. The Ringin Ears Art & Music Festival is February 25th and 26th, and the band has two upcoming Ottawa shows, at Zaphods on March 12th and at Elm Dale Tavern on April 16th. The Midnyte Revival are also planning an East Coast Summer tour in late July.
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