EMQ’s With STOCKHAUSEN & THE AMPLIFIED RIOT
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA one man Garage Rock band, Stockhausen & The Amplified Riot. Huge thanks to main man Paul Chavez for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Paul Chavez, at your service gov’ner. I punish the guitar, scream incoherently into a microphone, and run air traffic control for all manner of electronic devices in the band Stockhausen & the Amplified Riot.
The band started in early 2020 as a 3-piece Garage Rock band and our name was originally just The Amplified Riot. But then the pandemic happened and things got put on hold but I kept making demos at home with my drum machines. So, once things settled down and bands were playing shows in person again, I decided to strike out on my own to see if I could make the one-man-band thing stick.
How did you come up with your band name?
I was on tour with Led Zeppelin in 1977 and hanging out with Lori Maddox (we were the same age). Lori mentioned how Jimmy was really into an artist named Stockhausen. Now, in 1973, when I was on tour with The Who, Pete had already clued me into Karl Stockhausen as Pete would blast his records on this large, portable all-in-one turntable system he would have us carry around on tours. He also had us lug around his VCS3, which he never used (the bastard). It wasn’t heavy – just stupidly bulky. Anyway, the name Stockhausen didn’t really click until Lori and I were talking about Pagey’s latest listening habits… and then it dawned on me to use the name in conjunction with The Amplified Riot to make a stoopid long name for a one-person band.
And that’s the honest truth.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m in Texas. What’s the music scene like here? Well…. it’s Texas, you know?
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
The latest release is called “Era of the Inauthentic”. The title comes from a quote by Alan Vega of the band Suicide. I’ve created a music video for one of the songs (go look it up already) and I’m touring around the States in support of the EP. Oh yeah, it’s an EP… did I mention that already?
Who have been your greatest influences?
Rap artists. Houston has an incredible rap / trap scene and these artists perform with only a laptop and a microphone… sometimes a DJ on the side who can chop and screw on the fly. But really – it’s all about that skill of performing and owning the stage when it’s just you and a mic. Watching that happen – watching these artists transform into something bigger than life while on stage, helped me to appreciate the craft and inspired me to try it, but with Krautrock.
What first got you into music?
My Mom took me to see Kiss in 1979 and I knew right then and there that my life was forever doomed to love music and performance.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Three fully dressed hot dogs……. and no, don’t ask me how delicious they tasted. And how I wrapped one of them in aluminium foil (to save it for later) and it in the back of the van with the stolen pillows and blankets. And about the border patrol agent who had questioned me about the hot dog and where I received it. And how said border patrol agent confiscated the aforementioned hot dog. Nope, don’t bother asking me because I’m not going to tell you any of those details.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
You can tell Rolling Stone magazine that my last words were… I’m on drugs!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I like connecting with people on stage and expressing my art. What I don’t like is being away from my sons. That’s the worst.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Oh man, that’s not easy because it changes on the reg. So here’s five of my recommendations…
Frank Zappa – “Lather” (the album that never was – and it’s beautifully all over the place in style).
Miles Davis – “On The Corner” (one of his best Fela Kuti inspired Jazz Funk records).
Stereolab – “Peng!” (a perfect debut).
Motorhead – “No Remorse” (it’s a compilation, but it’s god damn brilliantly assembled).
… and pretty much all Grateful Dead shows between ’69 to ’78 (not an album but I’M THE ONE DOING THE TALKIN’ HERE).
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
Yes.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Toluca, Mexico. One minute – there’s no one there and we’re just sitting around kind of bummed out. But then the bands start playing and EVERYONE from the area shows up. Young kids to old men. People in black leather and spikes, biker gang members, professional office types, death rockers, artists, the whole gambit. It was wild and highly rewarding.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My family – we have the best time cracking up and enjoying great food together.
What’s next for the band?
As of this writing – playing gigs around the southern US and then flying up to Chicago in October for more gigs and super-secret recording sessions at Electric Audio. Then, I’ll probably take it easy and enjoy my riches and newly found fame. Probably buy Twitter and run for President. Fuck it… we’ll see.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Please point your browser to https://linktr.ee/stockandtar to enjoy the sights and sounds of Stockhausen & the Amplified Riot.
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I have a GoFundMe page set up to help me purchase as many Jaffa Cakes as I can for the next tour since I live off Jaffa Cakes due to the long drives between cities. I have a Jaffa Cake tattoo and I also subscribe to an ASMR channel of people eating Jaffa Cakes. Sorry, what was your question?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
To add? Of course, I LOVE math! 7 and 7 is…
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