At CBGB's Canteen, Cyndi Lauper made a surprise appearance during one of Knox Chandler's performances, causing him distress with her heckling throughout the show.
Veteran musician Knox Chandler, who has performed in ensembles such as Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode, and Siouxsie & The Banshees, has finally released his debut solo album, entitled The Sound. After four decades in the music industry, Chandler felt it was time to articulate his own creative voice, having spent years honing his craft through other artists.
"I spent decades developing my voice through other artists," Chandler said. "I felt it was time to express what I've learned. Even though The Sound doesn't fit with the genres of my previous adventures, the aesthetic is there - but evolved."
The album is a personal project that merges music, visual art, and writing, documenting his transition from urban life in Berlin to a rural setting in Connecticut to care for his mother. This shift inspired him to explore new soundscapes and artistic expressions, including his "Soundribbon" method of live instrumental recording, which combines guitar, upright bass, and percussion.
Chandler admits he is venturing into uncharted territory with this new release. "Pride is such a tough word for me," he confessed. "When it's good, I don't believe I have anything to do with it. It comes from channeling something much greater than myself, whatever that might be."
Throughout his career, Chandler has been a prolific session player, collaborating with a diverse range of artists. He often uses a pedalboard with an EH Germanium 4 Big Muff PI, Interstellar Octonaut, Red Panda Tensor, Eventide H9, EH Super Ego Plus, Hologram Microcosm, and an Orange Omec. His gear has evolved over the years, with his early days in New York City seeing him using a '59 Strat and a pre-CBS Fender Showman and Vibrolux amps, complemented by a TC 2290 digital delay.
His impressive résumé includes working with Depeche Mode on their album Exciter. He also spent four years collaborating with lead vocalist David Gahan on the band's Paper Monsters album between Gahan's recording and touring and Chandler's stints with Siouxsie and Cyndi Lauper. In addition, Chandler toured with Lauper in the 1990s after working together at his friend Sammy Merendino's studio.
"I have no regrets," Chandler said, reflecting on his journey. "Everything I've experienced has led me to where I am today. I'm very happy with that. I'd like to be remembered as someone who continues to explore and learn."
The Sound is set for release on May 30 and is available for pre-order now. It promises to be an intimate and moving exploration of Chandler's musical evolution, surprise us with his unique soundribbon recordings, and pay homage to the transition from urban to rural life.
- Knox Chandler, renowned for his work with bands like Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode, and Siouxsie & The Banshees, uses a pedalboard equipped with pedals such as EH Germanium 4 Big Muff PI, Interstellar Octonaut, Red Panda Tensor, Eventide H9, EH Super Ego Plus, Hologram Microcosm, and an Orange Omec during his performances.
- In his debut solo album The Sound, Chandler employs a technique he calls "Soundribbon," which involves the simultaneous recording of guitar, upright bass, and percussion instruments.
- After years of collaboration with artists such as Depeche Mode, David Gahan from Depeche Mode, and Cyndi Lauper, Chandler has finally released his personal project, The Sound, a fusion of music, visual art, and writing, documenting his move from urban Berlin to rural Connecticut.
- Chandler, who played a key role in Depeche Mode's album Exciter and collaborated with Lauper in the 1990s, admits that he is venturing into uncharted territory with this new release, but believes it represents his musical evolution and his transition from urban to rural life.
- The electric guitar used by Chandler in his earlier days in New York City was a '59 Stratocaster, complemented by a Fender Showman and Vibrolux amps, and a TC 2290 digital delay.
