Stab Magazine | “There Are No Fucking Rules To Music”

Live Now: Chapter 11 Mini-Documentary With Dane Reynolds

766 Views

“There Are No Fucking Rules To Music”

Chris Cote spews “emotional vomit” and speaks candidly about his latest musical interlude.

stabfm // Mar 28, 2018
Words by stab
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Do you remember how good surf magazines used to be? Remember when Chris Cote was still the editor of one?  

Like a lot of us print geeks, when the Interweb came and goggled up the print mags. Chris— former Editor in Chief of Transworld Surf—had to pivot.

There’s a certain allure to editing mags and, as Sam George once described, “civilian life” is a little mundane after a tour of duty. But Chris is crafty. He’s good people.

And he’s the kind of guy that knows how to entertain a crowd.

When Transworld Surf was killed off by The Enthusiast Network, Chris picked up the mic and transitioned into commentating, performing, MCing, and playing Host at various Surf and Action Sports Industry functions.

“I never had a choice,” he says of his early foray into the music scene. “There was always music playing in my house as a kid. ALWAYS. For better or for worse—as in, music playing during the day and music late into the night. Parental parties at my house were a constant when I was a child. So, music was an omnipresent part of life, and I learned to love all kinds of music. I always wanted to play, never took lessons, but in my late teens I discovered Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Slint—indie bands that basically showed me, music doesn’t have to be ‘learned.’ You just do it however you want to do it. There are no fucking rules to music.”

The mag days have long since passed and Chris is doing just fine. He’s got his two young sons to raise and just recently released his first solo record, called “Friends Coming Home,” in which he does all the songwriting and instrumentation. 

“I’m influenced by everything,” says Chris.

But some artists have left larger impressions than others. His favorite band is Steely Dan. He has the words “No Static At All” inked on his body in tribute. He’s seen them 12 times.

“As far as influences, they’re wide-ranging and varied,” he continues. “Afrobeat gets me moving. William Onyabour and Femi Kuti are tops. Kraftwerk puts me in a positive trance. I love ‘80s music. Talking Heads is huge for me. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Lost Animal and Alex Cameron, both very inspirational to the new single I just recorded. David Bowie, his views on constant change and not playing to what the audience wants, but what he wants—that’s the shit.”

In 2016, he also rekindled the magic with his old band, Kut U Up, which he co-founded in 1996, and whose tune, “Make It Out Alive,” accompanied Andy Irons iconic section from Taylor Steele’s Campaign.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/SbefpEFrzck

“Kut U Up will never die!” proclaims Chris. “We’re actually looking to record some new music this summer. It’s funny, cause we’ve become a sort of cult band, with fans around the world who just keep on hanging on. We’ve been friends forever, and there’s nothing like the friendship/brotherhood you develop being in a band. It’s crazy that people still like the music and keep asking us for more. We’re trying to get our shit together and put out some new stuff, and we will, stay tuned.” 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/72PFPIr6Wfg

 

As far as his solo project goes, Chris is a dad, and has a lot going on professionally—which makes spending long, booze- and drug-fueled nights in the studio and on the road, touring, problematic. So, he recorded the record all by himself, in the little gaps of time that dads running constant side hustles are able to find.

“It’s pretty hard to be in a band as a ‘grown up’ with kids, work, schedules and shit. Playing solo allows for daily practice and also to play the songs that no one else in the band would want to,” he laughs. “I’m recording a full-length album and should be done with it in a month or so. I’m recording with Chris Prescott, a San Diego Music legend. He plays drums for Pinback, No Knife, Rocket From The Crypt, etc. Best dude ever, and somehow has the patience and skill to make my crap sound good.” 

“The goal is just to write and record more music and play live as much as possible,” continues Chris. “I expect for some people to like it. I expect for many people to hate it. I guess as long as there’s a reaction to it, and people actually hear it, that’s good with me. This is gonna sound odd, but the reason I release music, put videos of myself skating and surfing on my Instagram, etc, is to inspire people to do it themselves. I get a lot of joy from all this stuff and I’ll never stop. 

“Writing songs is a great way to exercise negative and positive demons,” he adds. “I’ve been going through a dramatic break-up, and writing songs about the situation has been extremely cathartic. A lot of the songs I’ve written will never be played or performed, but man did they make me feel better at the time. Sometimes writing a song can be like purging, like emotional vomit. You feel so much better after you put it out into the universe.” 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/VYfgGqx_iwQ

We’re pretty sure it felt pretty good to put this clip from Kelly’s Pool out into the universe, too. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Pittar’d And Feathered

Do the WSL judges deserve the internet's wrath? We asked the man of the hour.

Mar 28, 2024

Robbo, Pickles, And Tyler Wright Become The Underdogs Breakfast At Uninspiring Winkipop

The foreboding blade sharpens and inconsistent judging prevails on Day Two in Torquay.

Mar 27, 2024

“I Don’t Always Win Heats, But When I Do, I Try To Beat John John”

Slater shines and the axe begins its descent on Day 01 at Bells.

Mar 26, 2024

Back Against The Wall: The Ramzi Boukhiam Redemption

Morocco's first CT surfer on speaking six languages, having no coach, and snatching Fil Toledo's…

Mar 25, 2024

Will Kirra, Babies or JJF Stop a GOAT Winning at Bells?

Bluesky BOAG advice from a Superman specialist and former Trials winner.

Mar 25, 2024

Bells Preview: The WSL’s Victorian Sword Dancing Equinox Ritual

Will a Brazilian crack the Top 10 at Bells?

Mar 25, 2024

69 Shin Bones Later + the Anticlimactic State of Big Wave Record-Breaking

Lucas Chumbo might have surfed the biggest wave ever this year. But how will we…

Mar 23, 2024

Watch: ‘Fresh and Fried’ Ft the Quik Kids

How taxing is it to tackle the Gold Coast’s Triple Crown in a single day,…

Mar 23, 2024

The Popular Vote: The People’s Stab In The Dark With Kolohe Andino Champion

Which board looked best — to you —under Kolohe's talons?

Mar 22, 2024

João Chianca Opens Up About His Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, And Targeted Return To Competition  

"I don't just want to be the same surfer that I was. I don't even…

Mar 21, 2024

Six Key Learnings From Portugal

Three CT events in, what do we know? 

Mar 21, 2024

‘Zipper’ Is Going On Tour, Here’s Where You Can Watch It  

Dates, times + locations for the Venice, Encinitas, Sydney + Byron premieres.  

Mar 20, 2024

Dane Reynolds On His Future, His Past, And Chapter 11’s Raison D’être

Our 9-minute plunge into the collective psyche of Ventura's pillar(s).

Mar 20, 2024

From ‘Blue Ribbon Cross Country Runner’ to Vogue – How Steph Again Is Back With A Rip Curl Remix

Everything we know about the she-GOATs sponsorship boomerang.

Mar 18, 2024

Stab Interview: Darren Handley Explains Why You Can’t Buy The Winning Stab In The Dark Model

And his decades-long standoff with Slater.

Mar 17, 2024

Griff Embraces Portugal’s Eternal Time Loop To Vanquish Medina + Ewing, Defay Delays The Inevitable

A redeeming closing act at Supertubos.

Mar 16, 2024

The Secret Behind Lungi Slabb’s Inconceivable Greenmount Funnel

Six broken boards, one leaking forehead, and five days of Superbank mysticism.

Mar 16, 2024

Cheat Codes: A Million Miles Worth Of Travel Advice From Coco Ho

Hard-earned wisdom from more than 2,000 hours in the troposphere.

Mar 15, 2024
Advertisement