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Chris Squier performs "California (Queen of Light)"

Artist name: Chris Squier

When/Where playing this week?

“Eat Crow” concert on Thursday, March 30 at 8pm, the Hidden Shamrock Pub (http://www.kerilea.net/eatcrowe.html)

Friday, March 31 at 8pm, Clarence Center Coffee Co.

Band members/names/instrument…

We have kind of a songwriter’s society of sorts that was started by Steve Roth, loosely called the Gravedigger’s Union. While we all play solo, for larger shows we also play other instruments to back each other up. Regular members include Steve, Meredith Brown, Brian Mcalonie, Armand Petri, Dave Miller and pretty much anyone else who we can convince that we don’t completely suck.

You might like my music if you like… Folk rock with an Americana edge. Counting Crows, Stephen Stills and CSN, the Wallflowers. I guess, being from Jersey, there’s a bit of Springsteen in there as well. I love his acoustic stuff.

List of Recorded Releases

No Ordinary Anything – 2006

The Interstates EP – 2002

Upcoming events: In addition to the shows listed above, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some upcoming appearances around the country, and am looking to get into some festivals such as Appel Farm and CMJ in Ohio.

Worst show the band ever played: When I was younger I got roped into a bad deal with a now-defunct production company. We were promised a full backline, tons of cash, food, hotel—the whole nine yards—as part of their “artist showcase.” It was an all-day event. We were out of cash, so we thought we’d eat there then play our 1pm slot. When we got there, there was no food, no equipment, and we got bumped to the last slot—sometime around 11pm. One of the other bands took pity on us, bought us lunch and let us use their gear. Best part was, because the company lost their shirt on the event, they decided to try to shake down all the bands for cash after the show, claiming that they did not “promote the event properly” or some lame excuse like that. My first introduction into the music business!

Best show the band ever played: Every show after that. One that really stands out is a little place called Rockin’ Java in San Francisco. Being a fan of a lot of Haight-Ashbury bands, it was kind of a religious experience for me to get a chance to play out there. The song “California (Queen of Light)” from the CD was inspired by that.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about the band? I’m incredibly grateful for all the support and enthusiasm Buffalo has shown me since I’ve lived here. If you haven’t come to a show, stop on out! By the way, the new CD is called No Ordinary Anything, and is available on cdbaby.com and can be heard on 107.7 The Lake.

Contact information: http://www.chrissquier.com.

E-Mail: songs@chrissquier.com.