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Band page - Charlemagne
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Band Profile
Please introduce yourself.
Hi folks, Scott Oliver guitarist with Charlemagne here..
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
Raym and I met in North Carolina in 1983. He was already in a band that was looking for a lead guitarist, so I auditioned and got the gig. That band was a Heavy Metal cover type band called Attak. We did a lot of shows around the southeastern US and decided that we wanted to try our hand at the big time. I also wanted to improve my playing so I applied for Musicians Institute in Hollywood. That was in 1986. At that time, Hollywood was boom time for the Rock Music Industry, so moving there to attend GIT and take what Raym and I wanted to the next level was the perfect scenario. While I was at GIT, we were continuing to write and record demos. It was around the early part of 1987 that I met Lee Bryan our bass player who was a BIT student, and Ken Kowalski our drummer who was a PIT student. I heard these guys play on several occasions at school and was blown away by their chops. I approached them turned them on to some of our material and found some interest with them. We rehearsed a few times, and found some really great synergy. We asked them to join our efforts, and Charlemagne was formed.
As far as the highs and lows, they were all highs except not getting signed. The best part was just being a part of the Hollywood scene back then. It was killer. The sunset strip was packed 7 nights a week, and there was a lot of energy all the time. I hate to use the word "electric", but it really was! The other thing that was great was getting to work with Raym, Lee, and Ken. They are all such great musicians, and they all made a lot of critical contributions to the band. IT really would not have been the same with other people. I have always had such great respect for them.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Oh, I think that was always in the back of my mind. But, it was that possibility that made us work that much harder and really develop our craft. It was that unknown that pushed us to woodshed our chops, write what we felt were great songs, and to rehearse with extreme intensity.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Our CD is our first and only (so far) and it is self titled "Charlemagne". And the reason people should buy it is because it's really good music...anyway, we feel its good. And it appears now that the CD has been out there for a bit, a lot of other listeners really dig it a lot. In some of the forums out there a lot of people are saying some really incredibly good things about us. For that we are grateful!
Beyond that, Charlemagne was and is always about the music; music that is not really derived from any other band's sound. Sure we had our influences, and there seems to always be comparisons made, BUT, for those who have the ears to discern what we do, they will find chord structures, harmonies, grooves and solos that are unlike anything anybody else has ever done. We were really influenced by a lot of styles of music in and out of school, and we always strive to incorporate the styles we love into what we write and play. We do appreciate all styles, but we love to rock first and foremost and it is our underlying appreciation of all styles that influence our sound, and style. Its jazz, blues, pop, funk, metal, and country all squeezed into our style of rock and roll. However we never incorporate components from other styles just for the sake of being diverse, its just who we are. If I had to sum it up I would say Charlemagne is way outside the box in terms of the typical rock band. So, if you want an album for your collection that is very unique and will touch your soul in a very cool way, buy our CD!
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Well, I would say we are a Rock Band first and foremost that sometimes leans towards jazz just slightly, funk, pop, metal, etc. Again, we are comfortable playing just about any style. 2-5-1 jazz changes, pop, funk, country, classical, metal,.whatever. Its all music derived from the same 12 notes. We may not be masters of them all, but we can fake all of them pretty well. Well enough to get through a gig if we had to.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
They were all good. But, I especially enjoyed playing the FM Station in North Hollywood. It was a smaller club with a killer sound system, great lights, and great people. We always felt comfortable there. The other times were when we all would go out to the clubs and hang out as a band to check the other bands in the scene. But, I always enjoyed the writing the most.
How is the writing process in the band?
It usually consists of Raym, or I writing concepts, with Lee and Ken contributing lyrics, grooves, and arrangement ideas. We all work together to make them Charlemagne songs. Nobody is left out of the process.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
When I was a kid, I remember seeing Jethro Tull on a late night TV show back in the early 70's. The first time I saw them, I said, "that's what I want to do". I never really wanted to do anything else. I think I would like flying fighter jets, or driving a dragster, but not as much as playing and writing.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Not really idols, but people whom I really respect. They would be Steve Lukather of Toto, David Paich of Toto, Lee Iacocca of Chrysler, Sting, Prince, Jeff Porcaro, Tony Williams of The Platters, and Don Garlits for his incredible contributions to the sport of Drag Racing.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
The only regrets were not getting signed to a major label, and not changing with the times. As far as the songs, the band, the experiences; no regrets..none.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
Well, my favourites are "She's Only Young, "I Don't Wanna' Lie", and "Is It Ever Easy". I am fond of them all. All the songs are like children to me.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Extremely important. If you listen closely to the lyrics, you'll find that we write about our lives, and the things that have impacted us a people. And if you listen to the CD from beginning to end, you'll also find that the entire CD takes you somewhere, and then brings you back. The order of the songs were arranged the way they are for that very reason. It's almost like a story. We never really wrote the typical party songs like most of the other bands were writing. In some ways, I think that hurt our chances of getting a major deal. It was easier for record labels to sell music about beer and butts, than music that was about the experiences of life.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Living in Nashville gives me a really good perspective on that. It seems that in 2009, musicianship is really not breaking new ground like the artists of the 80's did. Now music is more of a product than an art. Which is cool way to make money I guess, but the days of turning on the radio and recognizing an artist immediately are pretty much over with. When the musicianship goes, so does the creativity. There is some good material out there, but not a whole lot is remarkable.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I think we as a culture need to do a better job policing our character. It starts with self examination and what our core values are. If our character is based on self, then selfishness prevails. If character is based on respecting others rights, then piracy will be less of an issue. On the other hand, I think artists need to make sure their music is worthy of buyers spending their money on. It really is a two-way street. In the end, a thief will be a thief.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Consider others better than yourself.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Wow, there is no typical day.EVER! But now that I live in the Nashville area, life is a lot more calm than when it was living in Los Angeles. Until I moved to Nashville, I had no idea just how tight I was wound. After about six months here, I began to decompress and feel a lot better. I now spend my days working as an Audio Systems Designer. I design small and large scale systems for recording studios, churches, performing arts centers, etc. I really love what I do.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
I really like reading, muscle cars, and largemouth bass fishing. I also dig movies, and spending time with my wife Tara, my daughter Selah, and my parents and friends.
I am an introvert, so I really dig "Scott-Time" as well.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
Leaving a gig in Hollywood one night as I drove past the Hollywood bowl, and entered the Hollywood freeway, there was a guy standing in the middle of the on-ramp completely naked. He was staring into space and was totally on another planet. I stopped the car, rolled down the window, shouted an expletive about his equipment, and slowly drove away. He never flinched. Lee was behind me a few cars back, and saw the whole thing. It was HILARIOUS. Man, you never knew what you would see in Hollywood back in those days.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums:
Toto Mindfields
Sting: Ten Summoners Tales
Charlemagne
Movies:
Amadeus
The Shawshank Redemption
The Gospel of John
Books:
The Message
My Utmost for His Highest
Oliver Family Photo Album
What is your favourite joke?
How do you make a guitar player turn down? You put a piece of music in front of him!
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
We are beginning a new CD for release next year if all goes well.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Thanks to everyone who has bought our CD so far. We really do appreciate your support! And for those who have not yet picked up a copy, we ask you to check us out...Thanks a gazillion! And thanks to you Michael for supporting Charlemagne!
Added by Michael - 5/31/2009
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