Q&A: Chester

Ever heard of "spankadelic gutter-rock"?

Me neither, but Chicago four-piece Chester wants you to. That's the band's self-described style of music, which I personally think sounds like a mix of grunge and funk.

Click the link above to decide for yourself on MySpace, or better yet, check them out live Tuesday, September 16 at Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee).

Without further ado, here's 10 basic questions Chester took the time to answer to give you a better sense of what they're all about. (Note: you might not learn very much about their history or how they sound, but you almost certainly will be amused.)

How do you describe your music?

Spankadelic gutter-rock. Spankadelic is a state of mind. Gutter-rock is a state of mindlessness.

Who are your biggest influences?

We influence one another more than anyone or anything else will ever be able to.

How did the band start?

God decided to play a joke on the music scene, and Chester is man's laughter at that joke.

What has been your most memorable experience as a band to date?

Our most memorable moments are the moments when we are just four guys drinking beer and causing trouble, other than that we tend to remember every show we ever play.

How does the band's songwriting process work?

Somebody brings in an idea and we immediately all use the restroom on his head, then he pulls out a knife. Then after we get out of the E.R. we have a song!

How has living and playing in Chicago influenced or shaped the band's sound?

Chicago is such a bluesy, jazzy city. Dark city streets and neon lights, pools of water accumulated by the rain, lush foresty parks and tall sky-scrapers. There is so much stimulation and yet so much tranquility here that it is the perfect setting for a band as eclectic as Chester.

However, we all come from separate corners of the country, and even the globe, so this also plays a huge role in our sound. We have a strong urban influence, yet an undertaste of different worlds all coming together into that spankadelic groove.

What is your favorite place to play in Chicago, or the place you most want to play?

Playing unplugged on the beach at 3 a.m. was nice.

What are the band's plans for the future?

To take over the world.

What's the one thing you want the world to know about Chester?

We want them to know that every member within Chester comes from a diverse musical background. This is a big reason why we pride ourselves on having many different fans at or show. We are not limited musically and never will be. Oh yeah, and after we take over Chicago we are going to take over Kankakee!!!

How can people learn more about Chester?

You already know Chester deep within your heart, but like reading a training manual or hearing someone tell you about a good mushroom trip, you have to experience it for yourself in order to get the full effect.