THE RED CHORD

 

 

      The Red Chord? The Red Chord! This question and response almost sums up how The Red Chord has come smashing its way into the music scene. You mention The Red Chord now in a group metal fans and they will nod their heads in recognition. Rewind your clocks about six months and this would not be the case. So how did this explosion of Red take place?
     “Luck” was the best explanation vocalist Guy Kozowyk could give me.  His band is becoming famous due to their videos being accessible through Time Warner’s AOL Music On Demand, their t-shirts now stocked in nationwide Hot Topic stores, and the bands’ headlining of a tour consisting of metal greats like Through the Eyes of the Dead, Despised Icon, and All Shall Perish. Guy made it very clear that their success was just fate, more or less—they themselves did nothing to reach the level of success they have today, except play music they love, music that is different.
     One of the main things that The Red Chord tries to accomplish with their music is creating something that is true to their death metal/grindcore roots, but very new and experimental at the same time. Each song is different from the next—they don’t follow any certain message or mold in their music. “My political views and beliefs are much different from the rest of the guys in the band, you know?” explained Guy, adding that they’re not going to write songs about beliefs or outlooks on life, because that’s hard to do in a band where everyone doesn’t feel the same.
     Here is a perfect example about how their music is about whatever they feel like writing a song about: Anyone who is a fan of The Red Chord should be familiar with the song Dreaming in Dog Years. This is the song always last on the setlist because it is a favorite for the sing-along of the lyrics “It’s not gonna be alright, It’s not gonna be OK.”  Fans have approached Guy time and time again, telling him how this song has changed his or her life. Guy appreciates the sincerity, but he can’t help but laugh a little, because the song really is just about his dog. Thats all. His dog laying on the floor asleep, having a dream.  We shared a laugh as he told me this story.
     The Red Chord are humble—just five guys that wanted to do something with the music they love, and they don’t see themselves as any more than that. They don’t believe the songs they write are for the history books of rock and roll, or because you can see them on your TV with a click of your remote that they deserve your respect. They would rather earn that respect out on the road every night touring, playing the songs into which they their hearts.
     “Some shows may be better than others, but there is never a bad show,” Guy told me when I asked him what makes him end a show and walk off the stage feeling like it was a good one. Conditions might change, crowds might change, cities might change, but playing a show will always be a passion for The Red Chord.

 

Written By Duane Frost as published in Out Of The Blue, Copyright Out Of The Blue Publications, 2007