Interview: Gene Champagne Chats About New Album "Too Pop For Punk...Too Punk To Care" Friday 10/2

What inspired the theme or concept behind this album?

The record I named ‘Too Pop For Punk... Too Punk To Care’ because I thought it was a fun and appropriate play on words which really describes what it is I do. I mesh punk, rock and roll and power pop into my own sound. It isn’t reinventing the wheel by any stretch but it is all the music I loved and listened to growing up and eventually playing and performing in groups of those genres.

Were there any particular events or emotions that shaped the songwriting?

A couple of the songs on this record I had originally recorded as demos for Teenage Head a band I also play in. We never ended up recording them as Teenage Head so I re did them as my own putting on a bit more of my own feel. I am really happy that those songs are now out there for people to hear.

Were there any challenges you faced during the recording process?

This record was a fun one to make as it really represents a lot of what I do musically. I learn a lot as I create as well. As I am a drummer first and foremost, I enjoy and put a lot of attention into the guitar playing. Especially lead guitar. I am still learning lead and I push myself to make guitar solos memorable. I think of guitar solos as their own songs within the song itself and something you should be able to sing back in your head.

Which track was the most fun to create, and why?

I would have to say hands down ‘Beach Boy Wannabe’ was the most fun to write and create. Like how the Ramones would cover an early song like Do You Wanna Dance or Palisades Park I wanted to have a song that sounded like it was a revved-up version of an old cover song. So, I did just that. I wrote and created the song backwards. I wrote the song with The Beach Boys in mind and made the demo much slower and very vintage sounding much different than what I normally do. I then rerecorded it like I was doing an old cover song very much like how The Ramones would approach a classic with faster louder guitars and drums.

Did any collaborations influence the sound or direction of this project?

When I was writing and demoing some songs for Teenage Head. I thought it would be better to have Dave Rave’s (Teenage Head’s current singer) voice on the songs. Those two songs that I had demo’d for Teenage Head ended up being re-recorded for this record. I kept some of Dave’s singing on those songs as backup vocals and you can hear him on ‘I’m Disconnected’ and ‘Sweet Little Lies’.

Did you experiment with any new techniques, instruments, or styles on this record?

I wanted this record to grow a little more from my first record ‘Let’s Jet’ which was intentionally recorded to have all its bumps and bruises. Pure rock and roll. My newest release ‘Too Pop For Punk.. Too Punk To Care’ has a few more elements like garage, surf and definitely power pop. I also introduced a bit of organ on this record this time around. I also approached recording and mixing a bit differently on this release. A few songs from the record were released as singles before landing on this album. I knew that going into the record so I was conscious of making them fit into one cohesive and fun sounding record.

How do you feel this album represents your evolution as a band?

I feel like this record speaks to what I do. I think the title also tells that story.

What do you hope your fans take away from this album?

I hope that fans have as much fun listening to this record as I did making it. Even in the sequence of songs I tried to give it a flow that keeps it really fun and moving along.

Have fans influenced the direction of your music or this album in any way?

More so I think fans have given me confidence to keep playing and releasing the music I love to make. I have learned that there are people out there that still love and listen to this kind of music and it has place.

What can fans expect from your upcoming tour or album release events?

The record comes out and is available everywhere Friday Oct 2 and I have a bunch of shows that surround that date. Very special shows with some influential people to me. I will be joined by Matt Dangerfield and Casino Steel from The Boys coming over from the UK as well as Dave Rave from Teenage Head as we form a supergroup of sorts called ‘The Vive Le Punk Band’ where will be doing some shows in Ontario and Quebec to help celebrate the new Danny Garcia documentary Vive Le Punk 50 Years of Punk. Our first show is in my hometown if Hamilton, On and I decided to make that one my record release show on that date as well. Although all the shows will be a release show of sorts as I will have the record available with us at the shows.

Do you have any music videos planned for the album? What can you share about them?

I have some music video ideas that I want to do for this record and that is still a work in progress.

If you could describe this album in three words, what would they be?

I would say … Punk And Roll.

Is there a specific moment during the album’s creation that you’ll always remember?

There are a few moments that come to mind that are memorable. Recording early demos with Dave Rave for what were meant as Teenage Head demos. That was a lot of fun because I mostly work alone on projects. But I will never forget writing Beach Boy Wannabe in a very different vintage sounding way with the intention of it being treated like a revved-up cover song.

Do you have a tour booked or is one being booked to promote the album?

So far the dates with The Vive Le Punk Band ( feat. members of The Boys/ Teenage Head) are what we doing out the gate to promote the album.

The dates are as follows:

Monday Oct 5- Hamilton,On- The Corktown ( Record Release show)

Tues Oct 6 -Toronto- The Horseshoe

Thurs Oct 8- Montreal,Qc- Theatre Fairmount

Fri Oct 9- Ottawa,On- The Dominion