Shipwreck Casualties
Shipwreck Casualties
Shipwreck Casualties is the offspring of many dreams...
Every once in a while, an artist will write a song that doesn't quite seem to fit in with the rest of the songs from his band. For Chris Valente, guitarist of rock band, April Frost, these songs that don't make it into the band all end up in the same place, the place is called Shipwreck Casualties.
Shipwreck Casualties all started when Chris couldn't find a place in his band, for his softer, more personal acoustic songs. When he relinquished the lead vocal duties to the band's new singer, Chris needed a place to sing his own lyrics and express his views, which didn't always match the ones of the rest of the band.
Chris' songs talk about everything that he feels strongly about, ranging from being a non-conformist, to meeting the girl of your dreams, to losing a best friend, and even going political sometimes, talking about the American system, and George Bush in "Poster Boy for Fear" and Che Guivara, in a still untitled song.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
At 16 years old, Chris Valente was spending most of his free time playing guitar and writting songs. At first, the songs were just being written for the sake of it, and to play them to his friends, and slowly, chris started recording them, and then decided to start a solo project, with those songs. The result of this was Shipwreck Casualties. Now, over a year and a half later, Chris is still writting alot of songs, and talking about everyday things that he cares about.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Chris: For now, the only live shows i play are with my main band, April Frost. The prime goal of Shipwreck Casualties is just to get stuff off of my chest, and sing these songs to my friends outside in a park, or at night in a tent... Maybe once more songs are written, and i get a strong set, i'll play live.
Your musical influences
my music influences range into almost every style of music. I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Tool, Sum41, Alter Bridge, Slipknot, and many more...
What equipment do you use?
for this band, i use just my Washburn Acoustic, or my Yamaha acoustic, and any old microphone...
This band is all about being pure an honest, so that's why i chose to go as simple as possible with everything. No effects are used in the guitar, and no effects in the vocals. everything you hear is 100% me.