Tell us about yourself and your music
The Story of Chad
Award Winning Singer Songwriter
The music bug bit Chad Carrier as a young teen in high school. Influenced early on by artists such as Queen, David Bowie and Tom Petty, he knew that’s what he was meant to do. And for the past three decades he’s done just that. An award winning artist, an Academy Award nominated songwriter, Chad is highly regarded and well-known in the Southern California punk rock community.
Vinyl Shake was the first band Chad started writing original songs in. He was also a member of the seminal L.A. punk outfit Anti. By the mid-80s, Chad had formed the band Easter along with former Anti member Danny Phillips (aka Danny Dean) and former LAX drummer Korky Ollerton. .Easter was very influential in the local punk scene at that time, both musically and with their motorcycle leather image. In early 1987 the band were signed by Chameleon/Capitol Records and the release of their self-titled album led to a #1 hit on the World Famous KROQ and spawned three videos that saw airplay on MTV. Both Mike Ness and Brent Lyles of Social Distortion served as touring members of Easter and also appeared in a couple of the bands videos
After Easter called it a day, Chad joined the volatile almost all-girl girl group Lovedog, Their self-titled album was released in Germany which led to a major tour of Europe. The band’s single “Get It Girls” did well on the west coast and led to more stateside touring. The band was short-lived, however and the band went their separate ways after the drummer left to join 4 Non Blondes and singer Cheri Lovedog went on to become an award winning film maker. Chad had further local success with his bands Black Eyed Susans and his funk rock band CC and the Jackpot Prize.
In the late 2000’s, Chad formed his current band, Big Mess. The band have released 7 albums to date with their 8th album, “Mid-Life Crisis” to be released the summer of 2019. Two tracks from the new album feature TSOL singer Jack Grisham on lead vocals. Big Mess tour constantly and have garnered a respectable fan base (over 10,000 followers on Facebook too). They won theIndie Music Channel’s Best Alternative Band Award for their 2016 album “I Am American.” They receive lots of airplay and have songs featured movie and television as well as video games.
As a side-project, and a nod to his Irish heritage, Chad co-founded the American Irish folk bandThe Shillaly Brothers. The band’s song “Pop” was nominated for an Academy Award for best song as featured in the film “White Irish Drinkers.”
Between touring with Big Mess and Easter’s annual reunion tour, Chad has been playing live acoustic sets drawing from his vast discography and sprinkled with handpicked favorite covers.
“Just a few” of the bands that Chad has shared the stage with:
Iggy Pop, X, TSOL, The Damned, Rage Against the Machine, Social Distortion, Roger Daltery (The Who), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Ice T, Snoop Dog, The Go Go’s, Blondie, The Stranglers, 000, The English Beat, Bow Wow Wow, A Flock of Seagulls, The Alarm, The Adolescents, L7, Big Country, Mary’s Danish, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Dead Boys, L.A. Guns, 4 Non Blondes and Bang Tango.
Talk to us more about your latest release
Legend: Chad Carrier Legend CD
Includes a download of the album Legend
Add to cart: $10.00
STREET DATE: October 18, 2019
Pre-orders will ship on or before street date (depending on arrival from manufacturers.) FREE SHIPPING
The brand new debut solo album by Big Mess frontman and Easter alum Chad Carrier. 13 new acoustic recordings including a cover of the Iggy Pop classic “I Wanna Be Your Dog.”
It is recorded and ready to go Chad Carrier “Legend” CD. With songs on the radio and MTV in the 80s and 90s with the bands easter and Lovedog and currently with Big Mess Enjoy thirteen new acoustic songs by Chad Carrier. Winner of Best Alternative artist at the IMC Awards. It is acoustic it is punk and it is rock, and best of all it is fun. So, don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the new CD. All contact info is below.
https://chadcarrieracoustic.com/music
What inspired you to write this release?
I was inspired to start releasing my songs done acoustic. I took songs from my catalog of band recordings added some new songs and a cover of I Wanna Be Your Dog By Iggy Pop. I am planning to release several acoustic albums in the next year.
Describe the writing and recording process
I have been playing acoustic shows for quite a few years and many of my fans asked if I had any recorded. I started recording and writing new songs to record and play. I recorded at my favorite studio Kitten Robot Studios in Los Angeles. I produced along with Paul Roessler. I brought Dave Corradi in to play some rhythm and lead guitar. It was a very fast process. I am already working on my next album.
Any plans to release a video?
Any plans to hit the road?
Just Came Off a Six State Tour
Chad Carrier Summer Tour
Fri Aug 16 and Sat Aug 17th Idelwild Strong Festival
Thurs Aug 22 Chopper John’s Phoenix AZ 8pm
Fri Aug 23rd
Sat Aug 24th Lost In The 80s Grand Prairie TX 5pm
Sun Aug 25th Red Brick Bar Norman OK 8-10pm
Mon Aug 26th Whittier Bar Tulsa OK 8pm-2am Bands
Tue Aug 27th Boobie Trap Topeka KS load 8pm Play 10
Wed Aug 28th Kirby’s Wichita KS 8pm
Thurs Aug 29th Tennyson’s Tap Denver, CO
Fri Aug 30th
Sat Aug 31 Red Velvet Underground Albuquerque NM 6-11 Bands
Sun Sept 1 Pub 3 Albuquerque NM 4:30 -6:30
Mon Sept 2nd
Tue Sept 3rd Golden Tiki Las Vegas NV 9pm
Wed Sept 4th Double Down Vegas 10pm
OCT
26
October-feast
Sat 12 PM ·
“Gramps”- 3406 Artesia Blvd. Torrance
NOV
2
Project Barley (Chad Carrier)
Sat 5 PM ·
Project Barley Brewery
Lomita
NOV
15
Mesa Music Festival
Fri 6 PM MST · by Big Mess
Desert Eagle Brewing Company
Mesa, AZ
NOV
15
Mesa Music Festival (Chad Carrier)
Fri 8:30 PM MST · by Chad Carrier Solo Acoustic
Oro Brewing Company
Mesa, AZ
NOV
16
Double Down Saloon (Big Mess)
Sat 9 PM ·
Double Down Saloon – Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
NOV
17
Rock And Roll Marathon (Big Mess)
Sun 5 PM · by Big Mess
Rock And Roll 1/2 Marathon Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
DEC
7
Punxmas Toy Drive
Sat 7 PM ·
Doll Hut
Anaheim
DEC
21
Mothers Tavern (Big Mess)
Sat 7 PM ·
Mother’s Tavern
The Babys, The Ominous, Chad Carrier and Big Mess
Fri 8 PM · 5 friends are going
Saint Rocke
Hermosa Beach
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
I play original alternative music with no politics just story telling and fun.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Cage The Elephant
Iggy Pop
Scotty McCreery
Who are your biggest influences?
Iggy Pop, X, TSOL, The Damned, Rage Against the Machine, Social Distortion, The Who, Grand Funk Railroad, Ice Cube, Snoop Dog, The Go Go’s, Blondie, The Stranglers, 000, The English Beat, Bow Wow Wow, A Flock of Seagulls, The Alarm, The Adolescents, L7, Big Country, Mary’s Danish, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Dead Boys, L.A. Guns, 4 Non Blondes and David Bowie.
Tell us about your passions
Love enjoying art and music. Writing songs and Music. I snowboard, skateboard, Surf, hike and play soccer.
What else is happening next in your world?
I am releasing an album with my band Big Mess (Midlife Crisis) it drops in December. I will also have another acoustic album and the 9th Big Mess album in 2020. I will be touring throughout the year solo with Big Mess and my band easter from the 80s. easter had an annual reunion tour this year we play on the lost 80s tour w The Tubes, Motels, Vapors, Tomas Dolby and many more.
Thanks for an awesome interview, chadcarrier@msn.com
Connect with chadcarrier@msn.com
Website: https://chadcarrieracoustic.com/homeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chad-Carrier-Solo-Acoustic-332956803916714/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadcarrieracoustic/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bigmessbandYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chadcarrierSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/big-messReverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/chadcarrier
