Chris Brown of Trapt

CB: The lyrics are a little deeper and a little more three dimensional I just tried to push it as much as I could on this one and tried to be as honest as I could about my outlook on life and certain things I was going through for the year or so previous to that record being made. The guitars and the whole sound of the record is a lot more true to what we sound like live and we wanted to get that across on this second record.

FES: Once you started recording the album how long did it take to complete it?

CB: We started recording middle of December [2005] first got the drums tracks done, took a break for a couple of weeks for Christmas then started up again the first week in January and got done the end of February [2006].

FES: How many songs did the band have going into the studio and how did you decide which songs would be included and which songs would be omitted?

CB: We had like 13 or 14, we just recorded the best 12 and put 11 on the record and had one as like a 'B' side.

FES: What was it like to have Don Gilmore CO-produce 'Someone In Control'?

CB: He's just an awesome guy to hang out with really and just made the experience fun, he's a jokester, he tries not to make everything too serious but at the same time makes an atmosphere that you want to work and want to be in the studio and have creative music and recording. He just made it real comfortable atmosphere to make music.

FES: Stand Up,' 'Disconnected (Out of Touch),' 'Waiting' and 'Lost Realist' are scheduled to be released as singles does the band plan to do videos for each of these singles?

CB: Right now we've done the 'Stand Up' video. We're coming out with 'Disconnected' now as another single. Were Just seeing how it goes, as far videos go we're not really planning on it right now. We're just gonna see how the songs do then see what we're gonna do about doing a video.

FES: Where does the band draw their lyrical inspiration from?

CB: Everyday life, people, relationships that you've been in. Different things your friends are going through can inspire you. So just everyday life, you know?

FES: After winning a couple of Billboard awards for your first album did the band feel any pressure in trying to come up with an album better than your first release?

CB: I think we've came up with a record that was better than first release. For us all we can do is make the best record that we as four individual band members think is great. You can't really tell what the fans want to hear in this or that. We just got to be confident our fans have the same kind of the same musical tastes as we do, that's why their fans in the first place so that's kind of what we do is just please ourselves.

FES: Shortly after Trapt was formed the band was asked to open for Papa Roach even though you were still in high school. Looking back at that show then fast forwarding to today's show how has Trapt changed since opening for Papa Roach?

CB: I'd say musicianship, we're better musicians. A lot more confidence onstage we're able to control the flow of the show a lot better now because we've done it so many times. It's experience just getting up there doing it night after night just makes you better able to handle the crowd and give them the best time you can give them.

FES: What is the best thing about playing a radio concert festival like Real Rock 101 one's Earthday Birthday?

CB: Seeing all the bands you've been playing with over the years at different festivals, it's a big family reunion. I think a lot of the bands kind of feel the same way. You get to see people you haven't seen for a while and hang out drink some beers and catch up, I think that's one of the best parts, also its awesome to have so many people out who
want to see a rock show.

FES: Who are you looking forward to see after you finish your set?

CB: I think all the bands are equally talented and I'm going to try to catch every bit of every band here.

FES: Do you have any favorite songs to perform live and why?

CB: There all up there for me. Song by song. It's really just about a whole show for me. "Headstrong," is always fun, you know? That
song everybody knows it. It's fun to that song to play at a festival. As far as our headlining shows, the crowd pretty much knows every song, so they're all pretty much equal and special in their own way.

FES: How helpful do you think online publications such as Florida Entertainment Scene are in helping to promote bands such as Trapt?

CB: You know the Internet is great. Anything that helps to get your name out there is going to be helpful obviously. If the websites promote themselves and if they can get interviews with bands and people see that it all comes together and makes more people aware
of music.

FES: Did the high cost of fuel effect how Trapt and Shinedown scheduled show dates for The Equinox Tour?

CB: No, not at all. These shows where scheduled back when gas wasn't a problem. A couple of months ago.

FES: Where do you see Trapt say Five (5) years from now?

CB: Just doing the same thing. Records and touring.

FES: How can a die-hard Trapt fan get their CD autographed by their favorite band member?

CB: Come to a show.

FES: If you weren't a musician what would you be?

CB: I don't know. I'd probably be somewhere in some kind of business thing where your selling something that you believe in. There's other things in life as far as science and math that I'm into. Science is a big thing for me just physics and all that kind of fun stuff. It would have to do with that; that I believed in and you could actually make a living off, would probably be what I was doing.

FES: Was there ever a point where you started to doubt if Trapt would make it as a successful band?

CB: No. That never came across because we never had any setbacks.

FES: Do you have any pre-concert rituals you'd like to tell us about?

CB: No not really I don't have anything I do before [the show] that is weird or anything like that.

FES: Do you have anything to say to your fans who read this Interview?

CB: Yeah, we feel so blessed to have you guys as fans. We're going to continue to try and make music that enhances your lives and stuff you can relate to. When they can relate to songs it makes me feel better because it shows that there's a bunch of other people out there that feel the way I do. So it doesn't matter how many it is, just matters that there are people out that appreciate what we're going and can relate
to the lyrics and all that kind of stuff and we appreciate it.

Trapt Is:
Chris Brown - Vocals/Guitar
Simon Ormandy - Guitar
Pete Charell - Bass
Aaron 'Monty' Montgomery - Drums

Trapt's latest album 'Someone in Control' is now available at record stores everywhere.

For more band information log onto the official Trapt website.

To sample music visit the Trapt page at myspace.com.

Musician Interview by Michael Montes - Copyright © 2006 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved.