Interview: Chris Dargis

  What exactly is the message conveyed through today’s music? Think back 30 years or so, examine the message encrypted in that music and compare it to what is promoted in today’s most popular songs. Artists today are so concerned about their image, and that certainly carries through in their music.
   That is what the majority of my conversation with Chris Dargis was about. He wants to carry a message in his music that focuses more on achieving inner peace and happiness, rather than focusing solely on the external. Many would argue that Dargis has been successful in creating popular music that promotes this message.
   Another positive aspect of Dargis’s music is that a lot of his songs are based on his experiences with love. His songs encompass feelings that surface while coming in and out of relationships.

Chris Dargis (singing) and band at the Stone Pony

   Now that he has settled down with a wife and child, he admits that his style of writing has changed a little. As things in his life get more hectic, he seems to get more laid-back in his writing.
   So what first made Chris Dargis feel the need to pick up a guitar in the first place? Dargis feels that he didn’t choose music, music chose him. From a young age he had a profound interest in bands like KISS and Cheap Trick. He attended his first concert in 1982 at Convention Hall, where he saw The Clash play. His interest in music was also carried over into his day job, where he worked at Jack’s Music Shop in Red Bank for several years.
   Years later, Chris Dargis still enjoys the music he listened to in high school. He also still enjoys performing for people, claiming bringing people happiness through his music also brings him joy. Overall, Dargis is a really nice guy, who loves his music and his family, proving that dads can still rock. Keep an eye out for his upcoming CD and his next performance at The Saint in Asbury Park on August 23rd.
                           -Erin Zeiss

Open-Mics,
Bah Humbug!

   It's been said that a good way to lose a friend is to lend them money. Another good way is to try to run an open-mic night without playing favorites!
   At it's best, an open-mic is a place for an inexperienced performer to get some stage time to develop a little confidence and polish up their talent. Unfortunately what most open-mics are is a place for "the cool musicians clique" to hang out and push the "nerdy" musicians around. It's like being in the gym class locker room in high school all over again (sans the wedgy hopefully).
   Somehow the open-mic m.c. turns into a power hungry nazi with all his "s.s" friends. Ok, I'm being a little dramatic, but I have been on both ends of the open-mic having run one for many years.
   The most important lesson I have learned is that there is no way to have a good open-mic and play favorites. Once you start changing around your list all hell breaks loose. You get the best excuses why someone has got to go on early!
   I've heard them all. My fav, "I have to get back to the hospital, my dad is on a respirator and may not live to my spot on the list!!!"
   The truth is that the best open-mics are the ones that are run fairly. If someone doesn't want to wait and listen
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