In 2005 Chasing Corona was formed when lead vocalist Cole Childers and lead guitarist Brian Farley met by chance while serving active duty in the U.S. Navy while overseas in Aqaba, Jordan during a night of “Battle of the Ship’s Bands”, and from there the culmination brought in their bassist Kevin Palos and their drummer Johnny Tatum, these 4 local Hampton Roads guys have very quickly made a name for themselves over the last 4 years as they have won MAX FM Battle of the Bands in both 2006 and 2007, performing for HRMUSIC.TV, featured in local magazine Splash www.splashmag.com as well as back in March of 2008 the band was named Best New Band 2007 in the Meona awards, they have nearly sold out the NORVA every time they have played there, and the even played an unexpected 45 minute set on stage 2 at Cruefest 2 as well as opened for Creed.
It’s a wonder they haven’t won more or even headlined shows the way this band played when they opened up with “Fall With Me” which is a new song they are hoping to release on a new album hopefully in 6 months.
Cole has such a commanding voice and can definitely reach your soul with the way he delivers the music that according to him is “Inspired by all the things he goes through” while serving for his country and being away from his family, friends, and fans.
Brian is a master on his guitar and definitely knows how to shred some wood on which it seems he takes out his frustrations or maybe it’s the raw emotion he has when delivering the music that will make you want to hear more of his power behind the frets.
Kevin can play a bass guitar so hard that you feel every string he is playing and he also shows passion in delivering to the masses.
Johnny is a complete genius in my opinion on the drums, he’s all about showmanship as well as he can definitely crack your skull with the beats he pounds from his drum set and this was all just the first song of a 20 minute set.
Next up was another new song entitled “Morier”, where Brian and Kevin stepped center stage to a dueling guitar solo between the two of them that had the crowd of about 5-6000 or more cheering them on as fans were still piling into the Amphitheater to hear Creed.
Third song has to be my absolute favorite, “Sand to Stone”, from their May album entitled “Black Eye and Candlelight”, this song if you aren’t singing the words by the second time you have heard it then you aren’t listening well enough because this song SPEAKS VOLUMES to your heart and soul, it’s about everything just about anyone faces in life, all the heartaches, trials, tribulations, happiness and sadness all wrapped up into a wonderful song that has been played on Max FM www.hot1005.com in regular rotation.
To finish their set they pulled out all the stops with another new song “Alive”, this song has you on your feet like nothing else, from the blistering shreds to the pounding beats and the voice of Cole, that a few times likened itself to “Disturbed”, you will feel “ALIVE” and rejuvenated wanting to hear more than just a 20 minute set from this awesome talented band.
All four members are very much into making sure the fans are having a good time, as well, they all seem very humble and grateful to be living their dreams of playing to the masses and they show their appreciation and gratitude throughout the show for everyone that is there.
When they ended the night they made sure to say “Thank You Virginia Beach” and “Thank You Creed” for allowing us to “SERVE YOU” and give to you the music that we so dearly love.
Interview
by Stephen Gibson
All Access Magazine had a chance to sit down with the band before the show to see what the craze was all about.
When I entered the dressing room, I saw four guys huddled together with their friends and family members, Igloo coolers on the floor with “their favorite beverages”, Johnny punching Brian in the arm getting him all psyched up, and everyone just having a good time getting themselves ready for what ALL ACCESS had to ask.
AAM: What do you guys hope the future holds for Chasing Corona?
Three simple things according to everyone; “World Domination (Laughing)”, “Recording Contract” and Touring the world to give the fans “A KICK ASS SHOW”
AAM: Cole and Brian: How does being active duty in the US Navy affect the bands aspirations of touring to provide to “The Masses:”?
Brian: He missed the tour last year due to serving overseas, but the band got by (honestly don’t know how), and every time they would play a show they would call him to let him listen to what he was missing. According to Cole, the Navy supports them and has been very responsive to what they are trying to do and he was pretty sure with the right contract in front of them they would be ready to tour within days.
AAM: How have fans responded to your music and is there any plans for a possible CD release?
Cole: They just released “Black Eye and Candlelight” in May of 2008 and a second CD is in the works hopefully to be released in 6 months, just getting the songs recorded, the funding, and things together. It’s pretty much ready to go, but no idea of the name of the new album yet.
AAM: Anything you would like to say to your fans not only here in Virginia Beach, but your comrades in the U.S. Military as well as the hopeful 70,000 plus daily worldwide readers of All Access Magazine?
Brian: First of all I want to Thank these 3 guys in front of me for having me back on this tour, I missed them and the music and the fans so much and for me to be here with them today and playing like we have the last two days has been something both Cole and I along with everyone else could ever dream of. I also want to thank my family that is here as well as my family overseas that are fighting for this bands right to give back something we love so dearly, and most of all thanks to the fans for your continued support, without YOU none of this would have ever happened, to which every member of the band just sat there and nodded to every word Brian was saying, then Johnny chimed in and said “Come on guys with all this mush, LET’S GO ROCK THEIR ASSES OFF like we always do”.
AAM: One last question for you before you go, All Access Magazine would like to say Thank You to Chasing Corona for taking the time to talk to our readers, is there anything you would like to add to this interview?
Cole: Thank you All Access for the opportunity to present our music to your devoted readers and fans, we can’t begin to thank everyone enough for the continued support through all the good and the bad, special thanks to Chilly Bird Pro Audio, our sponsor of custom guitar cabs that absolutely kick ass, all my comrades serving overseas right now fighting for my right to be here, “Come home safe”, but most of all I want to THANK THE FANS.
Johnny: We are here to “ROCK THE SHIT OUT OF YOU” and WE LOVE YOU so much for supporting what we do and THANK YOU.
Brian: I am humbled to say this again but I have to Thank these 3 guys here in front of me, as well as all my friends and family that have supported our dream, and most of all for the continuing support of our fans.
Kevin: I would also like to thank all my friends and family for their continued support as well as the fans who continue to come out and see us play. We hope that we have provided the kind of music that you will continue to listen to.
Note form the writer, Stephen Gibson: This band is one of the most down to earth, humble yet very grateful bands I have ever had the opportunity to interview. Their camaraderie and passion for their music shows when they step on the stage and in their passion to give one hell of a show even if the Amphitheater didn’t give them a whole lot of the house lights, they were there to entertain, provide some downright awesome music and interact with the fans. As we were leaving the show we spotted Johnny just standing there and this young lady with her daughter kindly asked him if she could get a photograph with him, and he was all smiles and said “sure, by all means”.
Check out their music and you will see that this band is definitely one not to be missed.
