Q&A With Co and CA
Christa White speaks with Coheed and Cambria bassist Michael Todd about the bands new record “Good Apollo,” old gear and…uh…toast.

SM: Hey Michael! Lets start things off with your albums. You have to be the only band I know that has an actual story behind each album. When you first started recording, what made you take Claudio’s stories into the studio?
TODD: Well, we have the freedom to do anything. We don’t write around the story. We just use it. And it was a cool idea.
SM: Now you just came out with a new album, "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness.” Where does the story go from where this album left off?
TODD: The finale. The ending of all of the world and the characters. Then we’ll go into the introduction of the new world with new characters. So there will definitely be two new albums coming out.
SM: On a different note…What musicians have influenced you?
TODD: Josh Eppard, our drummer. I have learned so much from him. He has to be the best drummer in modern rock. I guess Jon Bonham, the drummer from Led Zeppelin. He rocks too.
SM: How did your touring first start out? Did you play at bars? Parties?
TODD: Wherever you can get a gig. We started out just like another band. You get a van, tour around country and sleep on your gear, bottom up. We didn’t hit our “big act” until after a year or two. It was a 1000 person room and I was like, “Holy shit.”
SM: Was there a show that just turned out totally unexpectedly either good or bad for you?
TODD: Many years ago we toured with our good friends, Bloodlet and we did a show with them, it was Easter Sunday, a 1pm show in Jacksonville Florida. We had one paid person attend. We also did a show recently in Detroit and it was awesome, with like 26-27000 people there.
SM: Is there some place that you would like to pay a show that you haven’t gotten a chance to? Why?
TODD: Australia. I would love to go there. I’m wanting to go back to Japan as well but I’m not allowed in that country for 10 years apparently. We’re trying to work out something with the American embassy but, whatever. I’ll still go back.
SM: Is there anyone that you would like to someday tour with?
TODD: Me, personally? Rilo Kiley. I think that band is amazing. Their music, the voice, I love it.
SM: What kind of equipment did you first learn on?
TODD: A Fender bass. I saved up money forever from washing dishes when I was 13 years old. I still have it. It’s pretty fucked up but I still play it from time to time.
SM: What are you using now?
TODD: A Spector bass. I’m endorsed by them. It’s an awesome bass. I also use a Getty Lee bass that was made especially for me.
SM: Is there an instrument that you want to add to your sound?
TODD: Cello. It is the sexiest instrument. You know, just bring it out on stage and have it in one of our slow songs or something. That would be awesome.
SM: Who are you listening to now that your fans wouldn’t expect you to be listening to?
TODD: Well, Rilo Kiley. I’m also listening to Ani Defranco. I really like female singers. I remember when I was a little punker in high school I used to think that girls can’t rock, but I was wrong.
SM: And lastly, How do you like your toast?
TODD: Buttered. With eggs, lightly buttered and medium dark, then I dip it in my eggs. I also like it buttered with jelly. I love concord grape jelly but raspberry jam is good too.

SM: Well thank you Michael for taking time before your show tonight. This was my first interview I’m so lucky it was with you.
TODD: It was great! You asked a lot of great questions that I normally don’t get asked. You’ll go very far with this. Take care.