Their debut album blew us away. Their live show dominates. Their latest 7" single brought tears to our eyes. We expect big things from Cosmic Trigger, so let's talk with their main may Tyrel Choat.
When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.
What have been your musical epiphany moments?
First time I heard Metallica was in 1987, my brother brought home the garage days Re-revisited E.P. And I fell in love with the sound of the distortion guitar and vocal style. That was when I was 5. After that Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Pink Floyd, Led-Zeppelin and Iron Maiden had a huge influence on me as well. But, Metallica was the first “Heavy Metal” band I ever heard. Before that I listened to golden oldies with my parents.
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
Lyrics always come last, but the whole start to finish process usually goes something like this: I come up with an idea or a riff, I take it to the guys and they write to that. Usually the riff gets changed and morphed into something new. There is no room for egos when it comes to writing. It has to be whats best for the song, not whats best for your spotlight. In the end these are “our” songs. Not “mine” or “his”.
Who has influenced you the most?
guitar: James Hetfield, Tony Iommi, David Gilmour, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen and Adam Jones are the most evident in my playing.
Vocals: James Hetfield, Mike Patton, David Gilmour and Roger Waters
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
Everywhere, anything from world events, feelings, past relationships, world events, comic books, sci-fi films and novels and philosophy (views and teachings)
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?Fort Worth has very little impact on our music, Perhaps it has made us polite and hospitable. We all have a slight drawl in our voice. We have redneck sayings that we all use, haha.
Where'd the band name come from?
It comes from a book by Robert Anton Wilson entitled “Cosmic Trigger: The final secret of the Illuminati”. The idea is “If there is a big bang shouldn’t we ask who pulled THE COSMIC TRIGGER?”
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
If they ever made a movie based on the Miracleman comics by Alan Moore/Neil Gaiman, I feel like that would be the coolest. But, anything involving space and hallucinogenics would be cool.
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000 word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
One of our songs: would be our unreleased 13 minute epic “Misanthropist: Megaton”. It has to do with the greatest threat to our planet and survival; ourselves and the hatred for humanity by those who may someday have access to thermonuclear weapons...god forbid.
Some one else's song: Pigs (three different ones) by Pink Floyd. It is so huge. It is the middle song of their animals album which is a concept album that tells the story of Orwell's Animal Farm but in the view of a late 1970's british resident. It separates people into Sheep, Dogs and Pigs. It points out Mary Whitehouse's involvement with the NVALA. Great song!!!!
What is you musical intention? What are you trying to express or get your audience to feel?
Well, I guess before I could say that, imagine that The Cosmic Trigger is a giant cyborg or robot, now it would have the appearance and moving parts of a metal band with the brain of a 70's prog rock band and the heart of a spacey atmospheric group. Damn, that sounds somewhat pretentious, but oh well. Any way with that in mind, We want to educate a new generation on how to appreciate the world we live in through song. To heed warnings but ultimately enjoy the life your given. Also to fascinate people with a large diverse pallet of music ideas, sounds and approaches.
Who today writes great songs? Tool-Total musical freedom while living in and out of their own unique sound.
Mastadon, Baroness, Redfang: same as above
Vinyl, cd,or digital?
A resounding VINYL, separation of instruments, clarity, low end response, dynamics “lack of squashy compression”, artwork, just vinyl all the way!!!
Whiskey or beer and defend your choice.
Although I love both, I choose beer, its cheaper and I van keep a buzz longer.
We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?
Doc's Records
What's next for the band?
Finish writing the rest of our new album and get with Kent Stump to record it. Also, we want to be pirates, we want to tour and push our music all over the globe but especially the states and Europe.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
Write and play from your collective heart as a band. Listen to us all day everyday and tell people about us constantly!!!!
