Once in a great while someone will take notice at a band in Louisville, KY. A very great while. We had a couple that I can think of. Days of the New (which I consider Indiana because my sister went to High School with Travis, Jesse and Matt), Villebillies (which I hear truly started in Bowling Green because Louisville is very anal and uncaring about rap/ hop hop talent if you can call them that) and Flaw.
“What?” you say. “Flaw?” Yes, Flaw, the best band, in my opinion, that came from Louisville. You remember them right? They made you want to jump around until you got trampled in a mosh pit? Ritalin couldn't cure Flaw's might! Well front man, Chris Volz, has agreed for me to interview him for your reading pleasure. And if for some reason you don't know about the band behind that unparalleled hit, “Whole”, among others, then here is a quickie.
It all started in 1995 with Volz answering an ad in a newspaper. Before you knew it, BAM!, they released a few indie cds and was picked up by Univeral/Republic Records. In 2001, when they released their album with this company, they topped the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. What was good for the world changed just a few years later after a couple band member switches. For some silly reason Universal dropped them but not on their heads.
Volz got a new band that you might recall, Five Bolt Main. After 2 years that band was no more. Sucks don't it? Well, don't worry too much. Now, Flaw is back and so is Chris Volz with a solo album called “REDEMPTION.” Redemption from what, I wonder?
Well, despite all the rumors Chris Volz's myspace page says that things are back in business. This should resonate well with fans and supporters and hopefully, bring back those who had given up. So are you ready to see what's going on and exactly where it's going? Thought so. Ok Chris, you've been marked! Let's do this thing!
Hit Man: So you and Flaw have had ups and downs and I'm not sure what the real story is. In fact, you might now feel comfortable explaining it or spending that much time on it. A lot of people might wonder, “WTF?” Especially on the internet rumors, more specifically myspace. Is there anything you'd like to say to help people understand what happened? If not, no worries just say “next question please” or just give me a dirty look. I can take a hint.
Chris Volz: As you stated earlier we were dropped by Universal in 2005 for not selling enough albums on our second release. It was devastating, we had the entire rug pulled out from under us. No more tour support or advertising and so on, gradually the band grew apart.
Everyone blamed everyone else for the falling out and the rumors only fueled the fire. So I started FiveBoltMain with some other local musicians and we did pretty well for a minute, toured the US did a couple videos for MTV which aired on Headbangers Ball. Unfortunately we weren't making enough money to cover the other guys bills back home so that ended up washing out as well. I then decided to go out on my own and write a solo record. I recorded it in NY city with the drummer from Biohazard 'Danny' and was very proud of the
outcome (RockRidgeMusic.com). I toured on that record for a while and that's when I started talking to the Flaw guys again. We are all so much older and wiser about music and this crazy industry so we are going into it this time with a renewed sense of accomplishment. We have just finished our third Flaw record titled “Homegrown Studio Sessions” which we will sell exclusively at our concerts across the united states through November and Dececmber '09. You can get all of our updated concert dates at myspace.com/officialchrisvolz or myspace.com/flaw.
There have been many other bulls*** rumors that people have posted online about me and the band but none of them are true as we all know how the internet can get sometimes. No press is bad press………..
HM: I want to know if you are doing both a solo and stuff with Flaw. Basically, is the lead singer of Flaw Chris Volz? If so this could be one hell of a concert!
CV: Chris Volz is the singer for Flaw and always will be.
HM: It's a good damn thing! Here's one you probably saw coming, why go solo?
CV: I have poured my heart and soul into this project for the past 12 years. That being said, I have always wanted to do a solo project
with full creative control and when given the opportunity I had to jump on it.
HM: The lyrics to your songs are sometimes wormhole deep. “Whole” was all that and more, especially when I found out it was about your mother. If I am not right about that, what was it about and what kind of zone do you go into when you write lyrics?
CV: The lyrics have always been very important to me as most of you know. The song “Whole” is about my mothers suicide and every time I feel emotions about a song I am writing it gets very personal.
HM: Lyrics are an important part of music. I sometimes wonder why hip hop and rap artists don't do much in the way of inspiring positivity or other bands for that matter. Is there anything you portray when you write lyrics?
CV: I always want to use life situations and things I have personally experienced, I am pretty serious about that.
HM: If there is a common theme in some of your lyrics what would it be and why?
CV: Everyday life and the lessons we learn.
HM: You know what I think would be cool?
CV: No. lol
HM: I think an electric and/or acoustic guitar with a Yoo Hoo symbol would be awesome. Your thoughts?
CV: Do it, that would rock!!!!
HM: Tell us your inspiration for the title Redemption.
CV: I just wanted to relay the feeling that I have overcome all the bulls*** that other people have created in my career, and it just fit.
HM: “YOUR OWN MEDICINE” is bad ass! On this album what do you consider your personal favorite and why?
CV: My favorite tracks on my solo record are 'Your own medicine' and 'Redemption' because they really portray what I was feeling at that time in my life. I will most definitely do another solo record in the near future.
HM: What did you eat before you did this interview?
CV: A 1/2 slab of ribs and potatoe salad.
HM: You know you have a lot of fans. For them, anything else you'd like to add that I didn't cover?
CV: Thank all of you for your continued support and I will see you all soon on this upcoming tour.
HM: Your success, although you've struggled, has gotten you back into the spotlight. That's awesome! What advice do you have for people trying to make it and hitting brick walls?
CV: The advise I have for struggling musicians is...
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DOESN'T THAT SUCK? Mojo only allows so many characters so if you want to see the rest of this article head to http://mafiaconnections.net/blog/2009/10/17/chris-volz-from-flaw/
If you want to see this article and a solo video of Chris Volz and a recent video of Flaw go here, http://www.danielsdoorstep.com/chrisvolz
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Mr Versatile