by Michael Whipple

One of my favorite memories from the analog archives of the first Chasm record is seeing the look on John "Golden Ears" Perez' face whenever we would come in for a session with some completely non-rock or homemade instrument. At the time, I guess John's clientele leaned heavily towards metal and rap, so when Chasm would show up, he'd get this kind of "so, what are you going to break out next?" look on his face. Recorders, alto flute, luitars; he would just look at us and laugh. But nothing beat the session when Mark brought in a hunk of 2X4 lumber and a saw, which he rhythmically hacked through at the end of the song "Jessica."  Between that and the swirling of bamboo branches, and a wine decanter filled with air rifle B-B's, I think John considered us quite mad. Still the homemade percussion added a unique texture to CHASM, and continues to be a large part of our sound, even after I talked Mark into using electronic percussion sounds on Panorhythmica...

© 2007 Sticks & Stones Music (BMI)