Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Chad: The band started in 2014. I decided I was sick of band politics and dealing with people who weren’t, “like minded”, so I started this project. On the advice of my producer I called the band VALYEAR, my last name, to avoid any confusion of people’s roles. I usually hate when bands use a member’s name for the band name. But I was sick of the disagreements over what could be used when members leave. There tends to be an illusion of worth, role and contribution when people leave projects. I’m not speaking for everybody I am saying from my experience in the past. At least now of somebody joins or leaves Valyear, they know what is being brought in and what is staying if they leave. I don’t worry about that with this lineup. We are a team and we work as a team. Plus we are all like brothers. It just took me a while to find guys who are on the same page as me. But I found them. Finally.
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Chad: I would consider it heavy rock/metal. It has a bit of everything if you dig deep enough. Our influences are vast so you can hear them throughout the album.
Crimson Moon: How has the band response been?
Chad: People seem to like it. When we play it is usually to large crowds. I think by the time we do the next album the fan base will be next level.
Crimson Moon: Where did the band name come from?
Chad: It is my last name. As I said I started the band a few years ago and it stuck. We are all from a city outside of Toronto called Oshawa.
Crimson Moon: Introduce the band members.
Chad Valyear: Vocals
Joe Petralia: Bass
Geoff Wilson: Guitar
Nick Mavroukas: Drums
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Chad: We had released 2 EP’s. THE FIRE EP. and DIRTY. When we signed with Wormholedeath we decided to meld them together to make one album and release it as a whole so we could work on a new album. So we are currently in ore production mode for the follow up to REVOLUTION FEAR.
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Chad: If you ever want to know what is going on with me all you would have to do is look at the lyrics. The songs are all very real. We write very honestly from the heart. I would love to give you some standout tracks but they are all standout tracks. This is a very solid album from start to finish. Every song, I feel, is a banger.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Chad: We all write the music and I write the lyrics.
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Chad: My life. Everything I write about comes from this fucked up place I call my brain. Revolution Fear is like an autobiography. My thoughts, ideas, feelings, good or bad, whatever I happen to be feeling is what cones out on paper. It makes it very easy to convey because it is so real. All I know how to do is be myself and lyrically that shows.
Crimson Moon: Has the Covid Pandemic impacted the band at all?
Chad: Yes and no. It has in the sense we weren’t able to rehearse or get together throughout the lock-downs and such. But we all have computers and studio software so we were able to continue to write through the pandemic. Well Geoff and Joe do. So they could send Nick and I ideas for us to expand on and write over. Now that things have let up a bit we are rehearsing again and preparing for shows that we have booked.
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Chad: Yes we all do. Joe and I have an industrial project with a very close friend of ours named Roman Bari. It is called 2SF. Like a PRODIGY type project. It is on all streaming sites. Nick and Geoff both have cover bands. Geoff is in Spare Parts and Nick is in Ayden Jacob’s Band.
We all live and breath music so we are always making music in some form. None of us can not be creative for any length if time. We all know VALYEAR is our number one priority though.
Crimson Moon: What is the music scene like where you guys are from?
Chad: I think there are a lot of great bands here. But I also think too many of them get locked into these cliques. Like almost as though they feel you need to earn your respect amongst them. We don’t buy into that shit and we stay completely away from that shit. We have absolutely no desire to fit in. We purposely remove ourselves from that type of mentality. This is rock & Roll not high school.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Chad: We grew up on hair metal. Joe and I used to hide out in my room when we were kids and crank MOTLEY CRUE and SKID ROW. For me that evolved into bands like ALICE IN CHAINS, FAITH NO MORE, PANTERA, THE USED’s first 3 albums, MONSTER VOODOO MACHINE. But I also love HANK WILLIAMS and WAYLON JENNINGS. Nick loves stuff like SLIPKNOT, and DREAM THEATER. Geoff and Nick are both IRON MAIDEN fanatics. Joe loves stuff like KINGS X, THE BEATLES we both love JELLYFISH.
That are some but we all listen to so much stuff. I could go on for days listing bands we listen to.
Crimson Moon: What is the band like when you play live?
Chad: We are very tight, connected and energetic. We are like brothers and that shows. We are dark but we are inviting. You can feel our camaraderie on stage.
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Yes.
Crimson Moon: How has the fan response been to the band?
Chad: I feel very blessed with the fan response. They are always welcoming and they are always supportive.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be in this band?
Chad: I started this band to express myself. We all live breathe and eat music. I can always separate myself from what I create to listen objectively and I know that even if I wasn’t in this band I would listen to it. So when I am creating music that I live and would listen to if I wasn’t the one making it…why wouldn’t I want to be part If something that good and fun? Plus I just love the guys in VALYEAR. They are my brothers. We laugh a lot. But each others balls and always have a laugh at our own expense. I love this band.
Crimson Moon: If you weren’t in this band would you still be involved in the music industry?
Chad: In some way shape or form. I would have to me. Music is not a hobby. It is a way of life.
Crimson Moon: As a musician what advice can you give to fellow musician just starting out?
Chad: Stay true to yourself and be careful who you surround yourself with. Don’t settle for mediocre songs. Always make them the very best you can make them and don’t settle. Hone your craft. Also practice. Make it your job. Don’t skip rehearsals. Just live it. Live it as much as you talk or hype it and stay humble. There is a lot of talent out there. Stand above.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band?
Chad: The sky is the limit as far as I am concerned. I’m willing to take it as far as I can.
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/valyearband
https://www.instagram.com/valyear/
https://www.tiktok.com/@chadvalyear
