The Foo Fighters are one of the few rock bands out that you can always count on to bring you solid albums (along with funny videos -- check out their latest, "Long Road to Ruin"). They released their sixth studio album last year and are enjoying as much popularity and acclaim as they received when their debut album came out 13 years ago. We talked to Chris Shiflett, guitarist for the Foo Fighters, as he prepared for their concert tonight at the Toyota Center.
There have been some great reviews for Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. What do you like about the album?
Making the album was a lot of fun. It was a good experience working with Gil Norton [who also produced their 1997 album The Colour and the Shape]. This time, everybody knew their role. In the past, we would just meet in the studio and see what we could come up with. This time, it was more thought out and went smooth.
Many rock bands that debuted in the mid-90’s didn’t have lasting power. What do you think contributes to the Foo Fighters longevity?
I think by working consistently, putting out albums every couple of years, and staying on the road. My personal theory is that we’ve never got caught up in the trends of the time – we stayed true to our sound. Since I joined the band [in 1999], there were phases of garage bands, bands like Prodigy, and other trends, but we stuck with our own sound.
What’s your favorite Foo Fighters song to play?
Every time you make a new record, a new song becomes your favorite. For this tour, we’re opening the show with “Let It Die,” followed by “The Pretender.” It’s tough to open the show with “Let It Die” – you get all amped up, then hit the stage and have to start softer, but it works well. Of the older songs, “All My Life” is one my favorites to play, mainly because the audience really gets into it.
Tell us a little bit about your musical life before the Foo Fighters.
I started playing the guitar when I was 11. By the time I was 14, I was in my first band. I joined No Use for a Name in California in my mid-20’s, playing lead guitar. I was also in some local cover bands at the time.
How did the Foo Fighters find you?
They held open auditions, and I was picked. So, I guess it was luck!
What can Houston Foo Fighters fans expect at tonight’s show?
We’ll be playing a long set, it usually lasts for two to two and a half hours. There’ll be a good amount of new material, but we’ll have plenty of time to play songs from each of the albums.
If you weren’t in Foo Fighters, what would you be doing?
I have no idea. I’d probably be in another band. If I wasn’t playing music, I’d probably be doing manual labor.
If your kids decide to go into the music business, would you encourage him?
I have two sons with another one on the way. My oldest is four, and he loves music. He already has a ukulele, a guitar, and drums. He started becoming interested in playing music at 2. My youngest isn’t quite there yet, of course, but he listens to music all of the time.
What are you listening to now?
Let’s see … lately, I’ve downloaded some David Bowie and Steve Earle. With iTunes, I tend to over-download now, so I have a little bit of everything. Earl Scruggs is another one. I watched a documentary on The Carter Family on the bus the other day – that was great.
Any fond memories of Houston and Texas?
My friend and I would play there a lot. I remember playing at Emo’s. I remember several wild nights there in Houston. The people there are great.
If anyone wants to bring me a true Texas belt-buckle to the show, that’d be great! You can throw it on stage, just don’t hit us.
A Texas-sized belt-buckle?
Well, maybe not that big. I’m more of a California-sized guy.
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