Errol Nazareth from The Toronto Sun writes, "One of the scene’s most magnetic performers, the singer-guitarist says he just wants to “write songs and then burn myself to the ground playing them live. It’s like a self-exorcism. Hopefully, it’s entertaining to watch. If I leave the stage wrung out and barely able to speak, then I feel like I’ve done my job."
Musicmuso were invited to catch up with Christian D during his weekly trip to the grocery store, whilst Christian was checking out the fabulous range of luxuriously deep filled steak and kidney pies in the 'World Food' section, we thought it would be a great moment to ask him some questions, here's how it went....
Please introduce the band and your music in one sentence....
Sounds like Joe Strummer and Nick Cave in a knife fight at Johnny Cash's house.
Best cure for a hangover?
Lashings of hot coffee, lumberjack breakfast and tomato juice. Booze is optional.
You’re on record label Starving Skull Records how did this come about?
Well, the first two releases are anyway. It was the producer’s Jesse’s label. The last 3 were independently released.
Hillbilly Heroin is a great tune, is there a story behind this?
Well, it was going to be a band name suggested by Dano of the Howling Bullets- we were in a short lived band before the Hangovers thing started. He came up with “The Hangovers” for my backing band too, now that I think of it.
Anyway - Hillbilly Heroin - I liked it better as a song title than a band name - so I wrote the song based on a half remembered article about on the increase and change in crime rates after the popularity of Oxy hit a town in Cape Breton. Kind of my first attempt at social commentary, I guess. And I’ve got an addictive personality…
Cut Loose and Live is a 14 track record of live recordings, How did you go about choosing the tracks for this?
Choosing the songs for that was easy- we recorded two full sets, and after some basic editing, I picked anything that I thought sounded good. Unfortunately a couple of tunes that I wanted to release didn’t make the grade…
Maybe next time- I’ve got a real love of live albums and bootlegs. I love hearing what a band actually sounds like without the studio trickery, you know?
First gig you ever went to?
Can’t remember. It would have been some local punk band though.
What does music mean to you?
It’s the friend that’s always there for you.
In your opinion, what is the BEST album/record ever released?
That’s impossible for me to answer- but currently I’m fascinated by Tom Waits Orphans album- it a big sprawling bastard of a record.
Name three people (alive, dead or fictional) that you would like as party guests?
Elvis Presley, Nick Cave, Iggy Pop. We could have some fun or get in some trouble.
Tell me a fascinating fact about you or one of your band members?
Well, not fascinating maybe, but I believe I wrote one of the shittiest plays in the world. That was a long time ago, though…
Vampire Rocker is another great tune, is there a story behind this?
Brendan Bauer, who was the guitar player at the time, started playing that riff at a rehearsal and it brought to mind these lyrics I had written years before.
In my head it’s sticking Keith Richards in the 80s vampire flick Near Dark.
What classic song would you have liked to have recorded and why?
Nick Cave’s Hard on for Love is a particular favourite- it has an element of unhinged desire that I admire greatly.
There are many good bands and musicians out there, who would you ask the readers of musicmuso to look out for?
How about some of my favourite locals from Toronto, The Howling Bullets, Buzz Deluxe and Ginger St James.
What is Tim Hortons?
A really effective plan to separate Canadians from their health and money
If you could describe your music in the form of a fictional character, who would it be?
Like Sailor Ripley if he grew up on goth and punk.
Do you think we can ever live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned?
No. Question everything - I think Johnny Rotten said that once.
What are your plans for 2014?
Make some music, play some shows, read more. The iPhone and twitter have seriously impacted my reading. It’s a sad addiction.
Christian had moved onto the garden furniture section and was eyeing up a very nice set of rattan garden furniture, whilst the over keen sales assistant went off to get a pricelist, we steamed in with some quick fire questions....
Coffee or Tea? Coffee. Always.
Coke or Pepsi? Neither.
Drum machine or the real deal? Real deal normally. Though I’m starting to write more at the computer so…
Mac or PC? Mac.
Taco or Burger? Burger- bacon and cheese please.
Lemmy (Motorhead) or Ozzy (Black Sabbath)? Lemmy all the way!
CD or Vinyl? Vinyl for the art - but these days I prefer FLAC or streaming. Quite unexpectedly I’ve come to love the convenience of digital.
Car or Motorbike? Car, well van, preferably
Acoustic or electric? Depends on where I’m playing. They are both tools to me.
Massey Hall or Bovine Sex Club? Bovine - I love a classic rock dive.
Shower or Bath? Shower
Tattoos or Piercings? Tattoos
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino? I’m gonna go with Al - though both are brilliant.
God or Google? Well, I believe in Google. God hasn’t shown up yet.
There you have it folks, a detailed introduction into the life of Christian D, you've read this much, why not spend a few more minutes exploring the rest of his social media pages, they're all below for your convenience but lets start with some of his kick ass rock n' roll music....
Social Media
Musicmuso would like to thank Christian D for his time to complete the interview and we wish him and his 'Hangovers' every success in the future. We will be posting details of future releases, live dates and anything noteworthy that he decides to send us.
Interview by Mark Wincott