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The Chase Theory
By Ravis Harnell
While Matthew Burke (vocals, guitar), Danny Burke (bass, vocals), Chris Cantwell (guitar, vocals) and J.P. Beaubien (drums) regularly pack out all ages shows around their hometown of Sarasota, they still qualify for Best Kept Secret status on this side of the bay. But only for the time being – the follow-up to their superlative full-length debut, Scrapbook, is nearing completion, and it’s looking like their urgent, melodic sound might make ‘em national indie upstarts before the Bay’s pundits even catch on. An interview scheduled for their recent Orpheum gig was pre-empted by a long improvisational set and many, many Heinekens; the following interrogation of Matthew occurred via email.
Q: The first time I can remember you playing north of the Skyway was at the State early last year, but you’ve been around for quite awhile now. Did you make a conscious decision to build a hometown fanbase before playing around Tampa/St. Pete?
A: Not really. We just didn't have any connections out of town, so we started playing at two or three bars in the Bradenton/Sarasota area and eventually gathered connections with other bands and venues.
Q: What are some of the similarities and differences, in your opinion, between Sarasota/Bradenton and Tampa/St. Pete, scene-wise?
A: Well, there are really no similarities between the two music scenes. There seems to be more going on musically in the Tampa/St. Pete area. To be honest, there really isn't much of a music scene in our area. There are only a handful of bands to play with, but we make the best of it. The people who
come out to our shows are very enthusiastic and we have fun.
Q: You guys are obviously as influenced by rock and other genres as you are by indie music - you play with all kinds of bands, and kind of try to avoid the whole postpunk/emo thing. But you’re often perceived as being part of that scene. Do you pay any attention to how people ‘assign’ you? The truth is, when it comes to music fans, as opposed to people in other bands, there are sometimes as many advantages as disadvantages to being associated with a type of sound.
A: That's very true. We've never consciously associated ourselves with any particular genre of music. Since we started, some people have called us an "emo" band, and I think that our music has definitely been influenced by bands that would fall in that category. But we've been influenced by all kinds of music. We're a rock n' roll band.
Q: How did you get hooked up with the (Deep Elm Records) Emo Diaries compilation series?
A: Well, Deep Elm Records has got some good bands. And someone suggested that we submit a song for the compilation series. So we sent them a tape with three songs on it. A few weeks later, I got a phone call from John, the president of the label. And he asked if he could use ‘Pharaohs & Kings’ for the compilation. So we sent him the DAT and that was that.
Q: Have you guys seen any evidence of increased exposure from the comp? Emails, solicitation, anything like that?
A: Definitely. The majority of the correspondence we receive is from people who heard our song on that compilation. It has been one of the most productive things we've done as a band.
Q: Have you been touring?
A: Not recently. We toured the east coast of the US twice in our first two years as a band. Since then, there's always been something going on that keeps us from going. We were in and out of the studio for eight months recording Scrapbook, and the EP that we are working on now is five months in the making. It's also a lot of work to book your own tours. It takes months to put together three weeks’ worth of low-paying dates. Nobody can really afford it.
Q: You replaced your original drummer last year. Is that something you can elaborate on? It might not be connected at all, but I remember right before it happened, there was a bit of shit-talking on our website regarding you guys and some other Sarasota bands.
A: Well, it's hard to sum it all up in a paragraph. He's a great musician. We just weren't getting along. It came to a point where we had to make a decision – look for a new drummer or call it quits.
Q: Not to kiss your asses or anything, but you really seem to have your shit together - an identifiable, timely sound, great songs, passion, musicianship. Do you pressure yourselves to take it to “the next level”? Where is your personal balance between expression for it’s own sake and the desire to make a living and/or be recognized?
A: Thank you for the compliment. Given the opportunity, we would love to do this for a living. And we are always striving to move forward. As far as sacrificing expression for recognition, I think it depends upon the circumstance. I wouldn't allow someone else to write our songs, but I'm not against constructive suggestion.
Q: Speaking of balance, you sometimes come off sonically as fairly schooled musicians, as opposed to the three-chord punk-ass archetype. Are you guys heavily into technique? Do you feel you have to strike a balance in terms of musicianship versus pure expression?
A: Well, technique is important, but we're not Rush or anything like that. I think each member in the band plays his part according to what the overall song sounds like. Personally, I'd rather be part of an incredible song than be considered an incredible guitar player.
Q: Would you consider yourselves perfectionists? Does it ruin anyone in the band’s night when, say, the vocal mix sucks?
A: We are pretty critical when we're in the studio or at practice, but onstage - we are usually drunk by the time we go on. We are more concerned with having fun, so we don't beat each other up over obvious mistakes that we make live. By the way, I'm not encouraging alcohol consumption. I'm simply answering honestly.
Q: Not too long after you put out Scrapbook, rumors flew that you were turning down various major and indie offers. And now that you’re recording the second disc, people are starting to talk again. Can you say who’s expressed interest, and will the new record be released by a national?
A: We are not far enough along in the recording process to shop this album around. There are several independent labels that have expressed interest, but we can't send them a demo of the EP until we finish recording it.
Q: How close are you to finishing the new one?
A: At this point, we've got all the music, my vocals and Danny's back-up vocals done. We are just waiting to schedule Chris's back-ups.
Q: Have you recorded stuff that you don’t play live?
A: There are some old songs that we don't play out anymore, but that's because we are always writing and performing new material.
Q: Can you compare the new record to Scrapbook?
A: The music has a feel similar to that of Scrapbook, but I think that our songwriting has progressed over the last year. It also has more of a rock vibe.
Q: What’s the most apt description you’ve ever heard of how The Chase Theory sounds?
A: Well, we played at a skatepark in Ft. Myers a while back, and one of the guys from the band that we played with said, "...your music sounds like an orchestra”. That may not be the most accurate analogy, but it was by far the most flattering.
Q: What’s the funniest?
A: I read a review of our 7" once. I don't recall where, but the critic said that the music was good, but that I should be shot because I sound like a Top Forty singer. I can't remember the review word-for-word, but that was the general idea.
The Chase Theory will be at Barbarella’s in Orlando on August 25, and at Sarasota’s Monterey Deli on August 26, along with Midhaven. And, oh, yeah, they’ll also be at The State on Sunday, September 10, to open up for some band called Samiam.
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