A Dirty Dozen with CHASE ENGEL from CHASE ENGEL AND THE NIGHT SHIFT – November 2019

According to a recent press release: “Hot on the heels of their just-released self-titled EP, Chase Engel and the Night Shift have issued a new video for one of their top tracks, “Lost.” Produced by Tesla’s Brian Wheat and released via his label, J Street Entertainment, the band (which is comprised of singer Engel, lead guitarist Conner Schrems, rhythm guitarist/saxophonist Noah Schieber, bassist Jason King, and drummer Matt Gottlieb) proves that fun can still exist within rock – and the “Lost” clip further confirms this claim.” We get band namesake Chase to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

We just released our debut, self titled EP about a month ago with J Street Entertainment. It was produced by Brian Wheat of the band Tesla, who is also our manager. No real secrets on this EP. We come pretty much straight at you with these group of songs but even as I listen back to the songs after hearing them many times, I catch different things in the mix that I may not have caught before. Little nuances here and there hit me maybe if I listen with headphones compared to in the car or studio. To be fair I’ve never played any of the songs backwards or anything so who knows there could be something there if you want to try it. Let me know if you find anything.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I kinda fell into music it feels like and it seems like since day one my life has pretty much revolved around it. My brother got a cheap guitar for Christmas years before and fell out of it pretty quick and it just sat there for a few years. I have absolutely no idea why but I just went in and started playing it one day. There was a beginners guitar booklet I went through front to back the first day or two and it just came really naturally to me. Kinda odd since no one else in my family really plays music at all. It honestly feels like from that moment on, right from day one, I knew that’s what I was doing. It was just before I turned 12.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

It was the early 2000’s when I first started and my dad got me the P.O.D album Satellite. The second song on the album was “Alive” and that song just hit me with so much emotion and power. That song still gives me chills when I listen to it.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Van Halen, and Kid Rock.

5. If you could call in any collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Mutt Lange. I know most people probably say an artist to come in and sing or play but I’ve always thought he was the best rock producer of all time and would love to see what he would do with one of our songs in the studio.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Describing the band to someone is tough. People always tell me they can never put their finger on who we sound like. I always say we’re like a modern day Aerosmith or maybe even a bit more rock version of Bob Seger. A fan from the last show said I was a cross between Axel Rose, Bruno Mars, and Bruce Springsteen. Imagine that. hahaha

7. What´s the best thing about being a musician?

Hands down the best part is being around the other guys in the band. We’re all so close and have so much fun together. Doesn’t matter if we’re practicing, playing a show, traveling, or just sitting around drinking coffee at 7am, we always have the best time. That’s what I’ll look back and cherish.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

So Matt the drummer would for sure be the cook. Jason the bass player is actually a pretty good cook too. So maybe those guys are tag teaming the kitchen. I would definitely be the one to get the drinks flowing. I’ve already probably had a few by the time I bust any out for them. Noah the guitar/saxophone player never misses an opportunity to grab an acoustic and start jamming. I can’t leave Connor the lead player out so I guess if I was starting a basketball team/band he would definitely be a good candidate for a power forward at 6’4”.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I would have to say when we first started hanging out with Brian, our manager who also plays bass in Tesla. It’s like one minute I’m watching the “Love Song” music video for the millionth time and the next minute I’m sleeping on his couch at his house in Texas. That still blows me away.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Race car driver. Not a shred of doubt. My dads drove a race car locally for about 30 years and it’s a huge passion of mine.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

A million things but honestly even if I could go back I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s all played a big part in what we do now and how we do it. Every mistake has taught us a lesson. I’m grateful for every one.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Led Zeppelin IV. The albums packed with classics and just to be present when John Bonham plays the intro to “When The Levee Breaks” or when Robert Plant sings the last line of “Stairway To Heaven”… could you ask for anything more cool??

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Category: Interviews