Cone Chat Recap
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:18 pm
FC's Chat Recap: January 7th, 2010 - Cone McCaslin - Sum41
Cone McCaslin: hello
Cone McCaslin: how are things?
Heather: pretty good, yourself?
Cone McCaslin: good just woke up
Heather: lol, well you guys ready to get started so we have time for free chat
Cone McCaslin: sure lets go. let me have it!
Heather: First thanks for signing up for the chat and supporting Cone! We have about 30 min to chat so let's try to keep it organized.....
Heather: I will start with a few topic questions about the OpMd then Sum41. If there is time remaining I will announce the "free chat" and you guys can ask your questions......
Heather: I'm going to let Cone make an intro now and then we can get started.
Cone McCaslin: Intro? ok. hi.
Cone McCaslin: haha. lets get started
-- Operation MD --
Heather: LOL, ok...Operation MD Questions: What was the inspiration behind the making of this album?
Cone McCaslin: After the Underclass Hero tour ended we had some time again to make another album. Both Todd and I had been writing songs since the release of our last OpMD album so we had over 20 songs. Really with this band we just try and do it as much as time permits. There's no schedule, its just "lets do it while we have the time".
Heather: Musically how does this album differ from We Have An Emergency?
Cone McCaslin: The sound is pretty much the same. Same kind of guitar sounds and vocal sounds. The album sounds a little better I'd say. Song wise we had so many that we got to choose which ones we wanted and make more of a cohesive album. Rather than the last one we didn't have too many other songs to choose from and we just kind of threw that album together. This one we did it more "right".
Heather: How is it different singing lead, when you're use to singing backup for Sum41?
Cone McCaslin: I guess a lot. I have yet to play too many shows with OpMD (2 shows) and both I didn't really sing lead that much. But I think its more of a confidence things and a rehearsal thing to make sure you are ready for it. You give new respect for lead singers when you've been playing bass all these years and then you start to sing lead here and there. Its different for sure. I like it though. I like it the way we are doing it where I just sing lead a little bit and I think it gives a really good dynamic to the band too.
Heather: What ideas do you have for the first music video? Will Steve be directing again?
Cone McCaslin: Ya we have submitted a song called "Buried At Sea" which was produced by Ian D'sa from Billy Talent. Steve wrote a treatment for it and we submitted it for videofact grant in Canada. We should find out in the next few weeks if we get the video.
Heather: What are your touring plans for this album?
Cone McCaslin: Well, we want to tour in this band or at the very least play some shows here and there, its just a matter of timing. Thats why this album hans't come out yet because as soon as it was finished I started getting busy with Sum 41 again and Todd went on tour with Offspring. We don't want to put out an album and not be able to promote it. We are waiting for that window. It will have to come out in the next 6 months though.
-- Sum 41 --
Heather: Ok, now we're going to move to Sum41 so everyone has time to ask their questions in free chat
Cone McCaslin: sounds good
Heather: We've heard D describe the new sound, what are your thoughts on it?
Cone McCaslin: I would say the new album is very intense. Its really hard and heavy at times and very very soft at times. I know we say this every album and most of time its true but this new album is really like nothing we've ever done. The best way to look at it is the whole album is in the same vein as "We're All To Blame". The way that song is all over the place. Soft, hard, heavy, soft ect. Nothing sounds like that song but thats the idea I guess. The album goes in new directions all the time. Thats the best way I can describe it.
Heather: What kind of bass lines can we expect on the new album?
Cone McCaslin: I have been working with our producer Gil Norton on bass stuff and also working on bass stuff at home. There's some cool stuff. Gil is also a bass player so its been a good experience. Some stuff I play on this album is very basic and some stuff goes off a little bit. The main focus was just to help the song and serve the song and not do crazy bass parts just to serve my ego. Thats big enough already!
Heather: How has making this album differed from making Underclass Hero?
Cone McCaslin: I think its good having an outside ear in the studio. Deryck will even tell you he didn't want to produce Underclass but we just couldn't find anyone on the last album that we wanted and was available. Underclass was fun to make and I'm sure this one will be fun too. Having Tom around on this one helps too as he can play a second guitar part in practice and hes also a song writer and front man and has made many records. ON the last one it was just the 3 of us so we were missing that fullness in practice.
-- Free Chat --
Heather: Ok, since Cone is short on time I'm going to let you guys ask questions now, be patient and respectful to Cone and each other please.
samueeL: At first you guys started writing EP. Any of those EP songs gonna be on the album?
Cone McCaslin: Ya. Most of those songs will be on it. Maybe 1 or 2 won't. "Always" was going to be on the EP but now its not on the album cause we just released on the Best of.
Katrina: How has the dynamics change over the past ten years in Sum 41?
Cone McCaslin: Well ten years ago we were 20. Kids. Had no responsibilities. Still lived at home. That kind of thing. I guess we somewhat all have responsibilities now. Some u married. Don't live at home anymore. Things change and I think we are more comfortable now and we all respect each other as musicians and we respect each others personal lives and support each others other ventures.
Sum41rockmysocks: In the "In Too Deep" video is the old guy who opens his mouth the guy who plays Kelso on scrubs? cause they really look the same
Cone McCaslin: I'm not really sure where that guys from. haha. Maybe he is.
TomiT14: Besides the song you wrote and sang for Sum 41, are there any other songs from the past years that haven't been released?
Cone McCaslin: There was a b-side on the last album I wrote that hasn't been released yet. Its a fast song that I sung too.
dezik41: Hey Cone. I have seen Warped Tour dates so i want to ask you if is it all or you will have shows in Europe? thanks!
Cone McCaslin: We just announced 2 festivals in Belguim in April. We are trying to fill April and May with European dates and Festivals before we start Warped. Expect more Euro/UK dates soon.
peneddy: hey Cone, what's your favorite Sum 41 album?
Cone McCaslin: The album I can listen to front to back is Infected
TomiT14: Is the forgotten song going to be released sometime in the future, or is it doomed to be forgotten?
Cone McCaslin: I think we'll find something for that song even if its just a free download on myspace or something.
Katrina: Have you give anymore thought on producing?
Cone McCaslin: Ya I am actually starting an album right now. I'm in pre-production with a band from Windsor called "Credible Witness". They are young and we'll do the album when I'm back from LA recording.
samueeL: When do you think we're able to hear new stuff?
Cone McCaslin: New stuff? Probably by April or May. We'll play a song or 2 new at Festivals
TomiT14: Any working titles for songs on the new album you dare to share?
Cone McCaslin: No working titles really. Nothing interesting.
Katrina: Who are you listening to a lot these days?
Cone McCaslin: Elliot Smith, TV on The Radio, The Replacements.
Cone McCaslin: Neil Diamond a lot too.
samueeL: Can you reveal something about mysterious title "Jessica Kill"?
Cone McCaslin: That is 1 title yes. Its a title Deryck came up with. Not sure the meaning. Thats a good point. I will ask him about that title. Thats a great song though.
dezik41: cool to see that you're helping young bands. They're asking you or you like their music so you are asking them?
Cone McCaslin: They asked me to write with them, then they asked me produce some songs. I am doing 3 for there album. Thats where I'm going right now. Pre-production in the studio with them.
TomiT14: Open Your Eyes is a Chuck song that has gained some attention lately. Is there a reason why it was never played live?
Cone McCaslin: Not really sure. I like that song. Just never came up to play. We probably should have though.
TomiT14: When Sum 41 start to tour, will the setlist have any old songs you haven't played a lot last time around?
Cone McCaslin: We haven't at all talked about what we will play. We will always play old songs. What songs would you guys want to hear?
Katrina: Would you guys ever work with Greig Nori again?
Cone McCaslin: Most likely not. That business relationship is dead. Never know where life takes you but I'd say probably not.
TomiT14: The Jester, Count Your Last Blessings, Thanks Fo Nothing and No Brains / No Reason have been songs that fans are missing :)
Cone McCaslin: We No Brains last album and Count Your Last blessings at bit and same as the Jester. I'd love to play No Reason again. I'd vote for that.
samueeL: Any plans on releasing new live dvd?
Cone McCaslin: Possibly after this album. That stuff comes up during a tour
peneddy: dou you have any plans for touring in mexico?
Cone McCaslin: South America and Mexico is something we want to do on this album.
TomiT14: And what happened to the infamous Cleveland show in 2007 that was going to be released on DVD?
Cone McCaslin: Shit. Not sure about that Cleveland show. I thought House Of Blues was going to do something with that.
Cone McCaslin: We will be in Europe a lot more too.
Katrina: Will you guys be do another making of the new album?
Cone McCaslin: Ok friends. I have to go. Thanks for chatting. Lets do it again! We will see you soon.
Cone McCaslin: Not sure about a making of
Cone McCaslin: bye!
Cone McCaslin: hello
Cone McCaslin: how are things?
Heather: pretty good, yourself?
Cone McCaslin: good just woke up
Heather: lol, well you guys ready to get started so we have time for free chat
Cone McCaslin: sure lets go. let me have it!
Heather: First thanks for signing up for the chat and supporting Cone! We have about 30 min to chat so let's try to keep it organized.....
Heather: I will start with a few topic questions about the OpMd then Sum41. If there is time remaining I will announce the "free chat" and you guys can ask your questions......
Heather: I'm going to let Cone make an intro now and then we can get started.
Cone McCaslin: Intro? ok. hi.
Cone McCaslin: haha. lets get started
-- Operation MD --
Heather: LOL, ok...Operation MD Questions: What was the inspiration behind the making of this album?
Cone McCaslin: After the Underclass Hero tour ended we had some time again to make another album. Both Todd and I had been writing songs since the release of our last OpMD album so we had over 20 songs. Really with this band we just try and do it as much as time permits. There's no schedule, its just "lets do it while we have the time".
Heather: Musically how does this album differ from We Have An Emergency?
Cone McCaslin: The sound is pretty much the same. Same kind of guitar sounds and vocal sounds. The album sounds a little better I'd say. Song wise we had so many that we got to choose which ones we wanted and make more of a cohesive album. Rather than the last one we didn't have too many other songs to choose from and we just kind of threw that album together. This one we did it more "right".
Heather: How is it different singing lead, when you're use to singing backup for Sum41?
Cone McCaslin: I guess a lot. I have yet to play too many shows with OpMD (2 shows) and both I didn't really sing lead that much. But I think its more of a confidence things and a rehearsal thing to make sure you are ready for it. You give new respect for lead singers when you've been playing bass all these years and then you start to sing lead here and there. Its different for sure. I like it though. I like it the way we are doing it where I just sing lead a little bit and I think it gives a really good dynamic to the band too.
Heather: What ideas do you have for the first music video? Will Steve be directing again?
Cone McCaslin: Ya we have submitted a song called "Buried At Sea" which was produced by Ian D'sa from Billy Talent. Steve wrote a treatment for it and we submitted it for videofact grant in Canada. We should find out in the next few weeks if we get the video.
Heather: What are your touring plans for this album?
Cone McCaslin: Well, we want to tour in this band or at the very least play some shows here and there, its just a matter of timing. Thats why this album hans't come out yet because as soon as it was finished I started getting busy with Sum 41 again and Todd went on tour with Offspring. We don't want to put out an album and not be able to promote it. We are waiting for that window. It will have to come out in the next 6 months though.
-- Sum 41 --
Heather: Ok, now we're going to move to Sum41 so everyone has time to ask their questions in free chat
Cone McCaslin: sounds good
Heather: We've heard D describe the new sound, what are your thoughts on it?
Cone McCaslin: I would say the new album is very intense. Its really hard and heavy at times and very very soft at times. I know we say this every album and most of time its true but this new album is really like nothing we've ever done. The best way to look at it is the whole album is in the same vein as "We're All To Blame". The way that song is all over the place. Soft, hard, heavy, soft ect. Nothing sounds like that song but thats the idea I guess. The album goes in new directions all the time. Thats the best way I can describe it.
Heather: What kind of bass lines can we expect on the new album?
Cone McCaslin: I have been working with our producer Gil Norton on bass stuff and also working on bass stuff at home. There's some cool stuff. Gil is also a bass player so its been a good experience. Some stuff I play on this album is very basic and some stuff goes off a little bit. The main focus was just to help the song and serve the song and not do crazy bass parts just to serve my ego. Thats big enough already!
Heather: How has making this album differed from making Underclass Hero?
Cone McCaslin: I think its good having an outside ear in the studio. Deryck will even tell you he didn't want to produce Underclass but we just couldn't find anyone on the last album that we wanted and was available. Underclass was fun to make and I'm sure this one will be fun too. Having Tom around on this one helps too as he can play a second guitar part in practice and hes also a song writer and front man and has made many records. ON the last one it was just the 3 of us so we were missing that fullness in practice.
-- Free Chat --
Heather: Ok, since Cone is short on time I'm going to let you guys ask questions now, be patient and respectful to Cone and each other please.
samueeL: At first you guys started writing EP. Any of those EP songs gonna be on the album?
Cone McCaslin: Ya. Most of those songs will be on it. Maybe 1 or 2 won't. "Always" was going to be on the EP but now its not on the album cause we just released on the Best of.
Katrina: How has the dynamics change over the past ten years in Sum 41?
Cone McCaslin: Well ten years ago we were 20. Kids. Had no responsibilities. Still lived at home. That kind of thing. I guess we somewhat all have responsibilities now. Some u married. Don't live at home anymore. Things change and I think we are more comfortable now and we all respect each other as musicians and we respect each others personal lives and support each others other ventures.
Sum41rockmysocks: In the "In Too Deep" video is the old guy who opens his mouth the guy who plays Kelso on scrubs? cause they really look the same
Cone McCaslin: I'm not really sure where that guys from. haha. Maybe he is.
TomiT14: Besides the song you wrote and sang for Sum 41, are there any other songs from the past years that haven't been released?
Cone McCaslin: There was a b-side on the last album I wrote that hasn't been released yet. Its a fast song that I sung too.
dezik41: Hey Cone. I have seen Warped Tour dates so i want to ask you if is it all or you will have shows in Europe? thanks!
Cone McCaslin: We just announced 2 festivals in Belguim in April. We are trying to fill April and May with European dates and Festivals before we start Warped. Expect more Euro/UK dates soon.
peneddy: hey Cone, what's your favorite Sum 41 album?
Cone McCaslin: The album I can listen to front to back is Infected
TomiT14: Is the forgotten song going to be released sometime in the future, or is it doomed to be forgotten?
Cone McCaslin: I think we'll find something for that song even if its just a free download on myspace or something.
Katrina: Have you give anymore thought on producing?
Cone McCaslin: Ya I am actually starting an album right now. I'm in pre-production with a band from Windsor called "Credible Witness". They are young and we'll do the album when I'm back from LA recording.
samueeL: When do you think we're able to hear new stuff?
Cone McCaslin: New stuff? Probably by April or May. We'll play a song or 2 new at Festivals
TomiT14: Any working titles for songs on the new album you dare to share?
Cone McCaslin: No working titles really. Nothing interesting.
Katrina: Who are you listening to a lot these days?
Cone McCaslin: Elliot Smith, TV on The Radio, The Replacements.
Cone McCaslin: Neil Diamond a lot too.
samueeL: Can you reveal something about mysterious title "Jessica Kill"?
Cone McCaslin: That is 1 title yes. Its a title Deryck came up with. Not sure the meaning. Thats a good point. I will ask him about that title. Thats a great song though.
dezik41: cool to see that you're helping young bands. They're asking you or you like their music so you are asking them?
Cone McCaslin: They asked me to write with them, then they asked me produce some songs. I am doing 3 for there album. Thats where I'm going right now. Pre-production in the studio with them.
TomiT14: Open Your Eyes is a Chuck song that has gained some attention lately. Is there a reason why it was never played live?
Cone McCaslin: Not really sure. I like that song. Just never came up to play. We probably should have though.
TomiT14: When Sum 41 start to tour, will the setlist have any old songs you haven't played a lot last time around?
Cone McCaslin: We haven't at all talked about what we will play. We will always play old songs. What songs would you guys want to hear?
Katrina: Would you guys ever work with Greig Nori again?
Cone McCaslin: Most likely not. That business relationship is dead. Never know where life takes you but I'd say probably not.
TomiT14: The Jester, Count Your Last Blessings, Thanks Fo Nothing and No Brains / No Reason have been songs that fans are missing :)
Cone McCaslin: We No Brains last album and Count Your Last blessings at bit and same as the Jester. I'd love to play No Reason again. I'd vote for that.
samueeL: Any plans on releasing new live dvd?
Cone McCaslin: Possibly after this album. That stuff comes up during a tour
peneddy: dou you have any plans for touring in mexico?
Cone McCaslin: South America and Mexico is something we want to do on this album.
TomiT14: And what happened to the infamous Cleveland show in 2007 that was going to be released on DVD?
Cone McCaslin: Shit. Not sure about that Cleveland show. I thought House Of Blues was going to do something with that.
Cone McCaslin: We will be in Europe a lot more too.
Katrina: Will you guys be do another making of the new album?
Cone McCaslin: Ok friends. I have to go. Thanks for chatting. Lets do it again! We will see you soon.
Cone McCaslin: Not sure about a making of
Cone McCaslin: bye!