ACL Artist Interview: Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria

Where does Coheed and Cambria record? Take us through a normal day in the studio, and maybe a not-so-normal day.

We are recording the new record in Pasadena, CA. The recording process, while exciting to me, isn’t much to write about - it would seem to be a long mundane process to the world at large.

Chris Pennie joined the band full-time in 2007 -- How did you get connected with him?

Of course we knew of Chris for a long time, as he is just a phenomenal drummer and well, most people are aware of Chris Pennie - but we got to know him a little bit when Dillinger Escape Plan toured with Coheed a few years back. I guess both bands were sort of at a crossroads at the time, and it just worked out. He brings an incredible work ethic and style to the band that I just can’t say enough about. His playing on the new record is awesome.

What caused Michael Todd to first, leave the band (2006), and then re-join (2007)? Did he miss the band, or would you say the band missed him more?

Well, like I said previously, our band was at a crossroads, Michael was going through a lot of personal issues and he needed to go address those. I would say we both missed each other, he is a great bass player and we’re both glad that is behind us.

Image from Coheed and Cambria’s MySpace, by Chapman Baehler

I have always been a big fan of comics, and since the beginning of the story, I had envisioned telling it in the comic format, with the elaboration of the lyrics and the visuals to go along. Our first comic came out in 2003 and we have something like 13 separate titles since then, and I’m excited that I have a whole new series that is not Coheed related coming out in October, it’s called Kill Audio.

What were your inspirations? We'd love to know what influenced you during your younger years -- what comics you read, what movies you enjoyed, and naturally, what bands you listened to.

Growing up, I was super into anything that was surreal. As far as comics, certainly the traditional superheroes of the Marvel and DC mythos. As I got older, my taste veered more toward the creator owned titles, more talking head stories that relied on dialogue as opposed to the "bam-pow" fight scenarios. I love movies-a lot of science fiction and horror like Evil Dead, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and obviously, Star Wars. I looked for a little darker ending, something more realistic. Again, as I got older, I found myself looking for a different perspective and found it in (Quentin) Tarantino's films and writing. True Romance and Pulp Fiction are still two of my all time favorites. In terms of music, (Jimi) Hendrix was up there on the list. Even as an adult, I try to emulate him.

We consider Coheed and Cambria to be a modern day Iron Maiden, Rush, even Queensrÿche -- are you comfortable with those comparisons?

Well I don’t take insult to that or anything, but honestly I never really listened to Rush or Queensrÿche until I started hearing comparisons when Coheed first started, and Rush is ok, but was never an influence on me. Iron Maiden, that’s there. Growing up I loved Maiden, as well as the Misfits, Jane’s Addiction, At The Drive-In and a lot of classic bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc.

Coheed and Cambria recorded a cover of "The Trooper" for the Kerrang! tribute Maiden Heaven -- can we expect to hear that live at the Austin City Limits Music Festival performance? We also caught your rendition of The Church's "Under The Milky Way" at Lollapalooza this year -- what triggered that cover?

You might hear a cover. We’ve been throwing them in more often of late. Travis (Stever) picked “UTMY,” and it seemed like a good idea. We tried to make it our own, and we like the way it turned out.

Lastly, we have to ask how your side project The Prize Fighter Inferno fits into the entire Amory Wars storyline

Inferno is really the only character that ties into the Amory Wars. Whereas Coheed and Cambria fits kind of snugly into the Amory Wars saga, PFI has the story of the blood machine, but isn't confined to that. Right now, I'm working on a 7-inch that will release as a bonus to accompany my new series, Kill Audio. The song, “Gears,” was my attempt to create a theme song track to that story.

Thank you for speaking with Austinist.

Check out Coheed and Cambria at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday, October 2nd (4:30 p.m. / Livestrong Stage).

Coheed and Cambria: [Official] [MySpace]