Giving In to Stardom

Giving In to Stardom
Ozzfest Main Stage Will Put Adema Over the Top

>> Kris Kohls and Mark Chavez of Adema. >>

>> You would think with Adema's pedigree - consider that lead singer Mark "Marky" Chavez is the younger brother of Korn front man Jonathan Davis and drummer Kris Kohls is a veteran of the tech-metal band Videodrone - stardom would be a given. It doesn't quite work that easily, though. Creating a lasting memory in the collective mind of the fickle music-buying public is no easy task.

Kohls may know that as well than anyone. Videodrone was considered a 'sure thing' by nearly everyone, but after tours with Orgy and plenty of others, they just never really got hold of a large enough fan base. a After a heavy push by their label and plenty of marketing dollars later, the band broke up to little fanfare.

That heavy dose of reality may be the biggest thing, other than his thunderous kit, which Kohls brings to Adema. Admittedly expecting little, Kohls came and in to do some recording and ended up staying. Along with his road-seasoned chops, Kohls also brought a steadying, mature influence to the band that is clearly seen. For Chavez, guitarists Tim Fluckey and Mike Ransom and bassist Dave DeRoo, growing up in what has become the musical hot bed of Bakersfield, California may have prepared them for being in a signed band with a hit on their hands, but it may be Kohls’ experience in tasting success and then seeing it slip away that proves to be the biggest asset for Adema.

>> Mark Chavez talks about "Giving In." >>

When we sat down with Chavez and Kohls, the young singer's excitement at what was going on with Adema was evident and refreshing, with Kohl's providing a steadying influence. Chavez has plenty of reason to be excited - Adema's self-titled debut has done quite well, fueled by the hits "Giving In" and "The Way You Like It," and now the band will spend the summer touring with Ozzfest on the main stage, which will bring them plenty of exposure. While last year proved to be critical for Adema, this summer on Ozzfest will change them like nothing else could.

Here's how our exclusive interview went:

VOX: How did you guys get together

Kris Kohls: We were all playing in separate bands. Fluckey and DeRoo were in a band called Juice. I was playing in another band. The bands broke up about the same time, and each of us wanted to just hook up. Him, [vocalist] Markey [Chavez], [guitarist Tim] Fluckey and [bassist Dave] DeRoo had the band going, had some songs going and they needed a drummer, we did a demo and like a month and a half later we were signed to a label and writing the record

>> Chavez letting it rip live. >>

VOX: Tell me about the whole bidding war the labels put on.

Mark Chavez: We gave our music to a rep from Arista and she liked a lot, she took it to her people, then copies were sent out, people started contacting us, then other labels found out. A few others were interested. Then ultimately we went for the first label that was interested, Arista. They seemed passionate about our music and they were going to put it out the way we wanted.

VOX: Do you feel like the record turned out the way you wanted it to?

Mark: Yeah, we’re really happy with it. We worked really hard writing and completing it; yeah we’re really happy with it.

VOX: Let's talk about the music - what's "Giving In" about?

Mark: "Giving In" was the first song we wrote when Kris got in the band. The music was done when I wrote the lyrics in the studio. Basically it’s about my bouts with alcoholism and depression. At some point I thought I would lose my record deal and stuff over booze and substances. That was my song to let it go and deal with it. Kinda like therapy…

>> Mark Chavez shows off the tats. >>

VOX: Are you over it?

Mark: Ah, yeah, definitely. For one I can’t function being on the road drunk or on drugs. It’s hard enough being away from people you love. It’s hard enough to do your shows sober anyway. But I love the road and I’m glad we’re out here, it’s great.

VOX: And the video?

Mark: Yeah, it’s played on MTV.

VOX: What's the concept?

Mark: It’s a mix between concept and introducing the band to audiences around the world. The concept shows the despair and loathing. That’s the idea behind it.

VOX: What or who do you guys look to as musical influences?

Kris: All rock, newer bands like Papa Roach, Linkin Park, that seem genuine.

Mark: Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Kris: I like Motley Crue.

VOX: What made you decide to be a musician?

Kris: I grew up playing drums at a young age. My first big influence was Tommy Lee - he really blew my mind. When I first saw him play I was like, "Wow, what is that? A girl? A guy?" It was crazy…and pretty cool.

Mark: I think I grew up just loving rock 'n' roll. I didn’t have any heroes…anyone. I just see bands rock out and had a good time rockin' out. If there was anyone that really caught my eye and I said they were really cool it was David Lee Roth, from Van Halen. He was a dork and chicks loved him for it. I didn’t get what he was wearing, but they dug him, so I was like, that’s cool!

Kris: We all have a passion for music, we can all appreciate many different genres. We rock the house; it’s music.

VOX: The trend now is to make acoustic versions of songs - any Adema acoustic stuff coming out?

Mark: Nah, not on this record. We wrote a couple during the writing process…we could put it on our next record, but we wanted to do a straight rock record. We have been asked to do acoustic songs but we’re a metal band. If you want to see our songs, see our show

VOX: How has success changed things for you?

Kris: We have all been friends for years, we were friends first. We’re privileged to be here. It’s a fun business but we take it seriously. Our heads haven't swollen. We’re five kids from Bakersfield. We drink beer, eat steak, play video games…

Mark: I want a plaque. The day I get a gold record, it’s just going to be really special, you can’t take that away. It keeps my life interesting. Sometimes I wish I could just kick back at home and chill.

VOX: How do you feel when you turn on the radio and hear your own song?

Mark: It’s cool. It’s a trip, but when you’re like, in the middle of nowhere, you’re like wow…

VOX: Speaking of 'middle of nowhere,' do you still live in Bakersfield?

Mark: No, I live in Woodland Hills, Kris is in San Pedro.

VOX: What would you be doing if it wasn’t this?

Mark: Bumming off my mom!

Kris: In the gutter, I don’t know!

Mark: Living off of chicks.

Kris: Exactly.

>> You can count on Adema to leave it all on stage, every night. >>

VOX Any good road stories?

Kris: We have just been having a good time meeting interesting people…

Mark: What about the elevator?

Kris: We were in London, we were at the BMG building, we got stuck in an elevator, this tiny elevator, and it fell! We were stuck in there with eight people.

Mark: I was like, "We’re going to die in an elevator!" How tragic is that!

Kris: It was insane. Finally they opened up the doors and to get out, we had to jump down since we were stuck between floors. It was crazy!

Mark: They call them 'lifts' there. We don’t get into lifts anymore…

Kris: Exactly. Take the stairs

Mark: Exactly, the stairs.

VOX: Tell me about Adema live.

Mark: Energy, it’s like a youthful spirit. We give it our all, I think that’s what kids dig about it. You see us sweat and give it our all. If we didn’t believe in it why would anyone care about us?

Kris: We gel onstage as well as off…it shows. We feed off each other. A lot of energy, that’s what I get out of it every night. I try to pace myself and it never happens. It’s set on 'ten' the entire time.