Chris Busone – Thanks for Asking!

By Sara Busone.

RRX: What do you think is the most poorly understood thing about music, or the music you play?

Chris Busone: It’s pretty simple; it’s rock and roll. You either listen and like it, or you go to the bar and get another drink. Either way, we play, you listen, nobody gets hurt. I actually had that printed on my business cards. 

 

RRX: What would you like fans to know before they come to see you play? (No basic stuff; get specific.)

CB: Our drummer doesn’t wear pants. Naked from the waist down. It’s a problem. The chafing alone …

 

RRX: What instrument would you add to the band if you could? Is there anything you are trying to do musically that would be helped with one or more additional players?

CB: Keyboard. I’d love a Fender Rhodes player who can kick in with some backups. So if you’re reading this and you fit that description, hit me up. 

 

RRX: Let’s talk about your next project, your next few. Just not the ones you’re working on now. The ones you have your eyes on for the future. What’s coming to us?

CB: 2027, it will be 50 years that I’ve been playing live shows. I started at 16 in 1977. So I’m hoping to have a new record ready and to play a show to celebrate that record’s release, my half century mark, and my imminent demise from old age. 

 

RRX: Different people in the band will like different songs. A drummer’s favorite song on the release will be different than the guitar player’s. What are each of your favorite songs from your most recent album?

CB: You’d have to ask OP and Frank what they like, but I like “More” from the last record. And “Break the Chain” because it has all the Elvis lines. Those lyrics were placeholders at first and it was my intention to replace them when the music tracks were all laid down. But after I played it back, they made me laugh so I kept them. (Lip snarl) Thank you, thank you very much. 

 

RRX: How does practice go? Is the road practice enough, or do you have a practice shack? If so, how does it look? What’s on the walls? What cool sh*t is in there?

CB: I hate rehearsal. The band will attest to that. They’re incredibly patient with my incredible lack of patience. Nothing bothers me more than playing the same song over and over, even and especially if it’s one of mine. So I try to keep rehearsals short and painless for us all. Once we have the basic structure of a tune, I wanna move on so things are creative and spontaneous on stage … which is another way of saying I’m f***ing lazy.