An interview with Children of the Sun

by Sarah Fraga

  Chase Larue from Southern California, Surya Sardonicus from New Hampshire, and Drew Mohr from Vermont, are the talented local band members from Children of the Sun, who met by means of frisbee, funk bands, and sauce. Wanting to share with Pepperbox readers just how amazing these three musicians are, I emailed them, hoping to set up an interview. They replied within the week and were glad to do an interview. I walked into the Jacoby Storehouse on a chilly Tuesday night, on the lookout for long hair and possibly a beard or two. I spotted the two musicians sitting at the window table under the neon Bon Boniere sign. In between bites of ice cream and conversation topics that I wish I could put in this article, but are too unrelated and/or school inappropriate, I had a wonderful and interesting interview with Chase Larue and Surya Sardonicus.  (Unfortunately Drew, (bassist/vocals) was unable to make the interview because he ‘jumped into a jam squadron at Three Foods’. They suggested we yell out questions to him while he was on stage, but decided that that might be a little distracting.)

PB: For those who haven’t heard you before, how would you describe your sound?

Surya (drums/vocals): I have two phrases that I usually use. One is rock-jazz-funk-soul-blues. One is neuroplastic jazz. The jazz we play, it’s all-encompassing styles. Neuroplastic jazz is jazz that can adapt to change in the environment.

Chase (guitar/vocals): It’s important for us when we’re thinking and socializing with music that we don’t keep styles off limits. Really, just to keep everything open and whatever comes out to be harmonious. Surrealist rendering of rock n roll.

PB: What musicians influence your music?

Chase: Big one right off the bat, that got me playing guitar, Jimi Hendrix. He’s the dude. I was just shocked when I first listened to “Are You Experienced?” The cool thing was my parents were totally down to support me doing whatever I wanted to do, so music just fell right into that. I started exploring the intensity of ACDC and that fast rocking of Led Zeppelin. Also, I got my influence from the oldie stations. And Tom Morelo, big influence, note that.

Surya: First band that got me started was Led Zeppelin. John Bonham. That guy’s beast on the drum set. He just made that big thunder sound. Just like a force of nature, that was a really cool idea to me. So I jumped on a drum set. I mean I listened to a lot of oldies that my parents listened to. My mom’s mom was a classical pianist so I heard lot of classical music from her. There were musical instruments all throughout my life, but after I listened to Zeppelin, that’s when I really just wanted to play drums. Then after that I explored jazz, and funk, and soul music.

PB: Were you in any bands in high school?

Chase: Definitely. I had jam squadrons in high school. We tried putting together like a ska horn session at one point. There was a whole ska kick at our school. It didn’t turn out too tight but it was fun, a good experience. Also, big thing, I was really intrigued in the recording process. So I was always trying to re-create what I heard or what I was trying to hear through recording. One time I had to do a recording session with a cast on, with this dude named John Legend. Really good singer. It was part of a high school program.

PB: What was the last song that made you cry?

Chase: I forget which song it was… It was a Janice Joplin tune at the Monterey pop festival. That was one of them. I just listened Stairway to Heaven yesterday–made me cry. Which is kind of weird ‘cause I’ve been desentized to that song because I’ve heard it so much.

Surya: Last song that made me cry was Neil Young, “Old Man.”

PB: For Drew who’s not here, how would you describe him?

Chase: He fits into many different situations, very malleable with his approach with how he plays music. He’s rock solid too, he’s got great rhythmatic integrity with bass. He’s bass man.

Surya: He’s a sweetheart, very nice.

PB: The only time I’ve heard you play is the North County fair. Are you guys gonna play more under 21 shows?

Chase: We’ve played at the [Arcata] Playhouse and we can try to play at Blondie’s more. Maybe we could get more into the house party scene too.

PB: If someone wanted to buy your CD, how could they do that?

Surya: Just sold the last one. We have to get some more first, but email us with your address, or come to a show.

PB: Do you believe in aliens?

Surya: Yes. fundamental reason: because aliens live in outer space. We live in outer space. So, we’re the aliens

Chase: Have you gotten the cookies from them? I eat the cookies.

Surya: You better get yourself checked out man. Those might be funny cookies.

PB: Are you striving to become a big famous band, or just keeping it local?

Surya: Striving to keep playing music that I love to make. And if people want to come out and hear us, that’s cool with me.

Listen to Children of the Sun on Facebook and email them at childrenofthesunbooking@gmail.com to get their upcoming album.

Filed Under: A&E

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