KEITH CAPUTO :
SOLO ARTIST
VOCALIST - LIFE OF AGONY / FREAX
"THE INTERVIEW" BY : UROTSUKIDOJI
Keith Caputo, in my opinion, is one on e greatest vocalists to ever grace the world of Hard Music. Life Of Agony's first three releases, "The River Runs Red", "Ugly", and "Soul Searching Sun", have solidified their place in music history. This summer, a live CD and DVD of their recent one-off reunion shows in New York will hit the shelves, to the delight of fans worldwide. Now, even though I wasn't too kind in reviewing his latest efforts, Keith still kindly agreed to do an interview, so lets get to it... U- Tell us what you are currently up to music wise, writing? Touring? etc. KEITH- Transformation seems to keep biting me on the behind- as time scorns me growth is ever present- Creation sort of does what it wants with me- Using me as a blank canvas each and every time I sit to write- Formula is a forgotten word- I will be touring in Aug through October in Europe if all is safe somewhat- For DiedLaughing, perfect little monsters and some Freax tunes and of course songs nobody is familiar with- I'm in a forever state of change- And I'm wondering if it helps. U- How about some history, did you ever sing, or anything else, in any other bands before Life Of Agony? If so, who? KEITH- Was in some garage bands but nothing worth mentioning. U- What about bands after you left LOA? I know there was "Absolute Bloom", "Brandy Duval", and "Freax", were there any others? Are there any other demos other than the Absolute Bloom one that's floating around? KEITH- Of course silly. U- Don't want to elaborate? KEITH- There are many hidden expressions throughout the years of evolution and revolt. I also put together a band called Bellamajestik in Alkmaar, about 40mins from Amsterdam with many raw cuts. I wrote over an albums worth of music stemming from the 911 attacks titles including "Everything Under The Sun", "Underwater", "Slagheap", "Alien Eyes" and more. U- Do you think these recordings will ever be made available to the public? KEITH- What do you reckon?? U- I'm guessing... no?... When people ask you to describe your current music, what do you tell them? KEITH- The music gives off hues of purple and greens... it's so tuff for me to describe how the/my music moves the air... It's gentle, music to reflect to, to lay in the bed with the wifey or girlfriend or boyfriend and make romantic love to. It's like sitting by the fire with sum wine, taking it slow with awareness- the music awakens you somehow- gives hope no matter how sad the expression may be. U- Why release a self financed CD? (Perfect Little Monsters) Was this something you wanted to do, or are labels giving you the cold shoulder? KEITH- I released perfect little monster because at home it was basically sitting on my shelf like so many other raw cuts do... I don't have a label but that will not arrest my efforts to actually sharing my personal writings or diary esque approaches to releasing material and I will release more of the same sort of recordings just to give, I'm still giving so much I think people actually like the raw personal bedroom cuts- (I love it when I pick up some bad recording of the Beatles or Coldplay)- They have their own life now and i thought they needed to be liberated- it did the songs no good by remaining dormant for so long- perfectlittlemonsters was written in 1999-2000 the sonic quality I ignored because I believe my listeners have the ability to push aside the politiks of how to properly record a record or cd or would accept me anyway regardless of 300,000 dollar release or lack of. I myself have particular standards as well but I felt as if I was cheating everyone mostly self if "I" feared others negative reactions- I listen carefully to everyone and I am deeply affected even if I pretend not to be affected. -My sensitivity gets the best of me as you know first hand, so why not get it out there? The day will come when I sonically bury the beauty of something like "died laughing". U- Speaking of labels, what went down with you and Roadrunner? And what was the deal with them never releasing "Died Laughing" in North America? KEITH- Sheer ignorance and fear was what went down. diedlaughing created fear and a financial commitment roadrunner was not really ready for. At the time I was misunderstood, nothing new to me but they as a company, as a whole, they were not seeing eye to eye, their staff was plastic and used roadrunner as a means to get ahead somehow perhaps to a label who genuinely cared about their bands and artists... Did you ever read a standard contract by roadrunner? Perhaps I should send you one for a laugh... U- Do you think your style will change much on the next CD? Are you going to jump on any bandwagons and try to grab some of that fat cash floating around out there? KEITH- If you come across fat cash let me know because I haven't seen any of it... I have no style... formless... somehow in my own head and heart... U- Let's talk about Freax, was this a one-time thing? How did this come about? KEITH- I'm still wondering myself... seriously... Lou the drummer of the band/boss contacted me through my management- I don't know if it is a one time thing- it's still trying to figure us out- I do love Lou as a brother- but I'm so preoccupied with my changing musical state- I'm so indebted to my own visions- Freax is more of Lou- I did it because I had the ability to do it- it was a chance I took- and the music- the lyrics- it's a bit different- but again I'm elsewhere musically- my heart tells me otherwise about this situation- U- I recently received an email from a guy named Steve Dillon, who said Lou had sent him Freax tacks to sing on, such as "Nitro Love", and 5 others, even after you recorded vocals for some of them. Is this guy for real, were there problems recording this disc? KEITH- Who is Steve Dillon anyway?- Lou wants me to be a part of Freax forever- but I'm giving him a hard time about committing- time is a funny thing for me- U- Does it piss you off when people always want to talk about LOA? Are you sick of it, or do welcome such questions? KEITH- I don't get angry- I don't mind talking about it- it feels weird for me at times though- it's the blessed curse in my life- one of them anyhow- U- Going back in time for a moment, what led to Sal being replaced on drums by Dan Richardson by the time "Soul Searching Sun" was released?
KEITH- No comment-
U- Do you feel that LOA ended before its time, that maybe the band could have gone much farther than it did given some time?
KEITH- Yes I blew it for everyone- well we blew it for each other- I dealt the cards, so to speak- our breakup lead to our self awareness- it wasn't such a bad thing- it feels nice to separate from people you've worked and lived with for 10yrs- personally my spirit is forever changing- I'm petrified of committing to anything including my own life essence- I also have trust issues- we all do I suppose- am I comedian of the year to you yet? -I'm thinking that loa was ahead of the times- perhaps a chance still lives-
U- I have to ask, what did you think of the short-live Wilfred Crane fronted version of LOA? What was it like seeing someone else sing your lyrics?
KEITH- Personally I think "Whit" did a good job- but that's all it was to him- a gig- plain and simple- it was obvious that his heart was dry- I don't think any individual can seep heart madness in to loa the way I did or can- virtually impossible- what surprised me most was the lack of understanding the loa boys had about me as an individual, the forever changing individual- and perhaps still to this day I'm misunderstood-
U- And another question you're surely sick of, but must be asked. Do you ever see a full-blown LOA reunion ever happening?
KEITH- Don't know honestly-
CD : No outlets.
U- What CDs do you play when you are on your own, and no one is around to hear? Any embarrassing secrets you want to tell?
KEITH- When on my own I play things like the Doors, Ledzep, Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Chopin, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Travis, Coldplay, Beethoven, Badbrains, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, The Beatles, Spiritualized, My Bloody Valentine, and many more...
U- What's the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you on tour?
KEITH- I shit my pants in Washington DC zero degree weather. Had to take all my clothes off- and start cleaning- I was mortified for at least 1 week after, it so sucked, it was the worst ever for me-
U- What's the proudest moment you have had as a musician?
KEITH- I'm still waiting for it to appear-
U- You guys spent some time hanging out with the Type-O-Negative boys, give us your best story involving these up-beat lads.
KEITH- I had a lot of fun with the type -O- guys- they are introspective lads- esp Josh- Josh is like Moses now- his hair is longer than my legs- on the road Kenny and I did most of the hanging- drinking- laughing- writing- it was almost 10yrs ago- gosh- I'm getting older now- a big bar fight took place once- it was bad- I can't really say what went on on those tours- my lips are sealed!!!
U- Many fans will also need to hear it from you, other than the Freax CD, do you ever see yourself making heavy music again?
KEITH- It's possible- I love all music- depending on the circle of people I guess- the situation needs to be right and comfortable-
U- What's your favorite movie, and actor of all time?
KEITH- Christopher Walken is my favorite actor, and Basquiat is my favorite movie- one has got nothing to do with the other-
U- I'm also a huge Walken fan, have you seen any of his various hosting stints on SNL?
KEITH- Yes I did- "the continental" is one of my favorites!!!
Well, there you have it boys and girls. We have learned that LOA might not be dead forever, shitting your pants is never good, more solo music is on the way, and Christopher Walken is da man.
IF YOU THINK KEITH SUCKS, CLICK HERE!
OFFICIAL KEITH CAPUTO HOME PAGE
Life is full of surprises- must wait and see-
U- Any chance of North American dates outside of New York City in the near future, say Canada for example?
KEITH- This all remains a mystery for now.
U- Do you still call NYC home, or have you found a new place to rest your head "across the pond"?
KEITH- Home is inside- the way or shall I say mystery is home- but yeah to keep things banal, NYC is definitely where I'm rooted-
U- OK, let's have some fun. What's the worst non-music related job you ever had to do, to support yourself while being a musician?
KEITH- I just didn't work- when times were rough like now- I could work but it will take me away from my real work which is expression- I'm ok with stretching all day and reading-
U- If you had to spend the rest of your life on a desert island, and you could only bring, 1 each of the following, what or who would it be:
MEAL : I'd find nut and berries.
DRINK : Plants and fresh ponds.
FAMOUS BABE : She doesn't have to be famous either- I'd like to have Christie Turlington if possible or Kate moss.
I would like to thank Keith for his time and effort, and wish him luck on his future projects...
C-YA!
-Urotsukidoji-
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