The Chariot

The Chariot are no longer the new kids on the block. What began, in
the minds of most of the hardcore and metal underground, as the highly
buzzed about reemergence of original Norma Jean singer Josh Scogin has
since become a behemoth of its own distinction. Two years of touring
behind the raw, unhinged and powerful bombast off “Everything is Alive,
Everything is Breathing, Nothing is Dead, Nothing is Bleeding and the
follow-up EP, “Unsung,” have cemented the Southern quartet’s place in
the modern metal landscape.

“The next record will definitely define who The Chariot is,” Scogin
says matter-of-factly about their forthcoming sophomore album. “I love
the previous record but it does not define us. I feel like the vision
for The Chariot has never been able to be achieved until now.”

The Chariot’s hard-won and unique identity owes as much to their
crazed and intense live shows as it does the settling-in of the band’s
present and most impressive incarnation: Scogin, drummer Jake Ryan,
guitarist Jon Terry and bass player Dan Eaton.

“Every band starts off all gung-ho about touring and playing shows
non-stop, but eventually reality sets in and people realize that not
everyone is cut out for this life,” reasons Scogin, by way of
explanation for The Chariot’s rapidly evolving lineup.

“Member changes happen in almost every band the first few records. I
can't speak for the members on why they have quit but I can honestly
say it is for the best.”

Scogin says that the new lineup sees eye to eye on everything,
particularly their chosen style of music, which had been a problem in
the past. The singer previously took on the majority of the writing
responsibilities, which has also changed. “Last but not least, these
guys are some of my best friends,” he says. “I think that is one of the
most important things about any band.”

The Chariot continues to defines themselves by steering clear or
easy categorization and by doing things their way – like when they
recorded their debut live in the studio, going against the grain of
today’s increasingly polished metalcore records. “I have always loved
old recordings, like Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, because you hear
many of the imperfections and that has always felt a little more real
to me. So I was pretty persistent on recording in that same vein, even
though it was not looked at as a wise decision, if you are in to making
music to make money. I don't make music to make money so I did not
care.”

Despite the band’s changes in lineup, and the ever-increasing
fanbase they have collected through tours like the 2006 “Sounds of the
Underground,” that renegade artistic spirit continues to drive The
Chariot and everything they do.

“We have never set out to sound like this band or sound like that
band, we just do whatever we want to do,” the sweet tea and BBQ loving
singer says with typical Southern modesty. “We don't care if it is the
popular thing to do or if it is going to make us money or any of that
nonsense, we only write music that we can feel passionate about.
Everything else has nothing to do with rock and roll.”