“I knew I liked Chris about an hour after he arrived in Toronto. I met him at an apartment/condo I had arranged for him to stay in while here. After that hour went by, the landlord for the apartment still hadn’t showed up. No call, no email….nothing. Chris and I were left to sit there wondering what in the world was going on. Keep in mind that this was after a connecting flight, transit delays, and getting hassled by Canadian customs (they don’t live up to friendly Canadian stereotypes, trust me).
As time rolled on with no explanation, Chris noticed how bad I felt. He piped in. “Luke, chill. Just get me the beer that I need and everything will be fine.” From then on, Chris and I got along great. He made it into his apartment (Heineken case in hand) and was even cool with feeding the landlord’s fish.
That first hour would go on to define Chris’ patience with the entire project. He was alone in a foreign country, and thought he was way over his head with the music we demanded he learn. But he never let it get to him.
He spent 12 hours a day for god knows how many days running those songs. Tim and I would come check on him at our little practice space once a day to run some songs and teach him what was what. Everyday though, he was there before us, and left hours afterwards.
When the time came to record, it was the same routine. As long as he had a smoothie and some weird energy potion he imported from the U.S., he was a machine. He got along with everyone at the studio and made a lasting impression on all of us.
I can’t say enough about Chris as a drummer, but more importantly, as a person. He changed my definition of what it is to “put in the hours”. I am a better musician from having spent that time with Chris. If he has it in him again to brave a Canadian winter, I would have him back in a heartbeat.” ~Luke Hoskin