Interview with Fight Paris bassist Champ Champagne

Anyone who works all the time without taking time off to unwind runs the risk of ruining their health. In fact, anyone who currently follows a dangerously busy daily routine best be taking some serious down time – it is vital in order to maintain a healthy and stress free life! If you have no idea how to this however, then you should probably get some help. Enter Fight Paris, an Atlanta-based rock band who literally lives by the “party hard, work harder” attitude that we should all abide by. Fight Paris is a quintet of musicians who formed as recently as four years ago. Nevertheless, in these few short year they have recorded their own album, created and distributed their own merchandise, signed a record deal with with Trustkill Records, re-recorded their album, and logged countless hours on the road. What’s key here, however is that even though this group of young rockers might work their asses off, they also party just as hard. If you want some tips on how to better live a balanced lifestyle then read on.

Fight Paris formed roughly four years ago. Can you briefly describe the details of the band’s creation?
Champ: We were just all friends, and we knew each other. We all liked the same music, and it just clicked.

It was not until the summer of 2003 (when Matt Tanner (guitar) and Champ Champagne (bass) joined the roster) that the current Fight Paris line-up was finalised. Why so many roster changes and how did you come to add Matt and Champ?
Champ: The old members just had a change of heart and they had to part. Me and Matt have known each other since we were teens, and we were in a band together. I’ve known the rest of the guys through the scene, and we joined.

How and when did you come up with the idea for the name Fight Paris?
Champ: It was just a good, original sounding band name. It’s bold, and it grabs your attention. It doesn’t really mean anything.

Fight Paris is currently signed to independent label Trustkill Records. How and when did you come to ink a deal with this company?
Champ: Josh Trustkill had been watching us grow as a band for a while, and he decided we were ready. It’s been great being on the label, and a dream come true.

Were there any reasons in particular that Trustkill and Fight Paris came together?
Champ: Our friend Aaron Marsh has done some artwork for other artists on the label (It Dies Today) and he sent Josh our demo. That Aaron is a great guy!

What exactly were you guys doing in the time prior to the contract signing?
Champ: We were planning on releasing “Paradise, Found” by ourselves, you know sell it out of our car, promote ourselves. We recorded the album ourselves, then when Trustkill signed us, we re-recorded it with some new stuff.

Your debut album “Paradise, Found” dropped in 2005. Tell us about the recording experience, your own thoughts on the album, and where the title came from.
Champ: The album title just means that our record will be your paradise. Paradise from other music that sounds the same, and paradise from music that just sucks. And by finding our album, you’ve found paradise. The recording of the album was awesome. It was very laid back and it was fun. We just drank, played music, smoked weed, and played more music. We like our music to sound loose, and raw, kind of live. And I think we achieved that.

Regardless of your die-hard work ethic, you seem to be a band who is also all about sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. Is this a part of the “party hard, work harder” attitude you guys adhere to and can you elaborate on it?
Champ: Yeah, we have been known to party, but not in some cheesy way. We just like to have a good time, and we like to write about what we love.

Your debut disc “Paradise, Found” is heavily laden with sexual content. Is there any particular reason as to why so much “sex” found its way onto this disc?
Champ: Our singer Kevin is one horny guy and like the saying goes, “write what you know.” I couldn’t see him writing about anything else, it just wouldn’t work. Besides, we see nothing wrong with sex, or talking about it. Everybody does it. I think it’s better than writing about blood and guts and getting dumped by your girlfriend.

There is a tremendous amount of energy that is instantly present on this album. Do you use this same level of energy when playing live?
Champ: Yeah, we go crazy live. Especially Staxxx, our dreaded guitarist. He’s like a Tasmanian devil. Watch out for him ladies!

Having written and recorded all of your own music, created and distributed your own merchandise, and even shot your own music video, you guys are nothing short of workaholics. Why the killer attitude towards your music?
Champ: We just know that it’s how you get things done. You’ll still see us at shows passing out flyers, and talking to people. You can’t just sit back and wait for something to happen.

Did this work ethic change at all after having signed with Trustkill?
Champ: No, of course not. We just have some help now, some clout. We still pimp out Fight Paris.

Touring with bands such as Bleeding Through and Darkest Hour and even holding a spot on the “Ryan Dunn & Don Vito Rock Tour” you guys have been on the road for quite some time now. What is happening with you guys at the moment and what lies ahead for Fight Paris?
Champ: We’re going on tour in November with DrowningMan, and we’ll just continue to tour as much as we can. We love the road, and we love playing to new people. Thanks again for the interview.  [ END ]