COAL CHAMBER
USMV speaks with RAYNA FOSS of Coal Chamber about the new record, an unexpected tragedy, and an unexpected surprise.
BY CHRIS KELLY
USMV: We hear you've got some big news for us.
Rayna Foss (bassist for Coal Chamber): Well, if you're talking about the record, the release was pushed back to August 10th because we had some misfortune happen with the guy who's mixing the record. Chad died in an automobile accident three days before he was supposed to fly to Los Angeles to mix our record. We didn't really like the second guy and the person we finally picked just started on the record today. We are still going to go on tour with Insane Clown Posse on July 10th as well as play with Black Sabbath in London for their last two shows ever but after that, I think I'm taking some time off because I'm having a baby.
USMV: A baby? But you're always on the road!
Rayna: Well, I'm taking some time off and probably leave the baby with my mother when I go on the road. We're talking about maybe getting a temporary fill-in. We're still looking though.
USMV: I heard that your last record was in the works for almost three years.
Rayna: To be honest, we were only in the studio for about a month. When you think about it, most band's debut is done over a period of time because when you start a band, you begin to write songs for your first record if you ever get signed. Through those three years, you're constantly writing new stuff and constantly growing. "Loco" was written three years prior to going to the studio and some other tracks were recorded while we were actually in there.
USMV: So how long have you been working on Chamber Music ?
Rayna: Since about September, but we've been done since January. With all these problems though, it's been tough getting it out.
USMV: How does it sound?
Rayna: It's amazing. It's still Coal Chamber: dark, cold and spooky. We've really grown and matured a lot on this one. It's much more layered and dimensional than the first one. Right now we've got 18 songs for it, but we can't really decide if we should cut it down or not.
USMV: I say put it all out!
Rayna: That's what I've been saying.
USMV: When did you write most of Chamber Music?
Rayna: We wrote a lot of music on the road, but ended up only keeping two of those songs. For the most part, we wrote it in the studio. We've tossed a lot out and started over.
USMV: I understand you worked with Ozzy on a track.
Rayna: Yeah, we recorded a cover of Peter Gabriel's "Shock The Monkey" and we're going to L.A. with Ozzy to shoot a video.
USMV: Anything planned for the video?
Rayna: Just some ideas still on the table.
USMV: I know it's a touchy subject, but I have to ask. What's your reaction to the blaming of the media in the recent Colorado school shootings?
Rayna: It's horrible. The old men on TV are always saying that it's the music that they listen to and I'm thinking "Oh my God, shut up!" I don't know what causes it, but I don't believe it's the music and I don't believe it's video games. These kids are old enough to know that they're not living in a video game. There's got to be something more to it.
USMV: Do you feel as if your music may be blamed for this behavior at some point?
Rayna: I feel like we tell kids to be individuals, but it's never any of that bullshit that Marilyn Manson does to sell records. We try to preach a positive message.
