Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Fri, Aug 22, 2008 @ 10:55 AM
On December 16th, 2004, Scott Fovel's life changed and so did the roadways of the greater boston area. It was on this day, that Mr Fovel discovered the "GPV." The "GPV" is a Chevy Gladiator G20 Series Conversion Van with a 5.7 liter V8 engine, tinted windows, and a plush bright purple interior (also has a TV and a small vacuum cleaner!). "GPV" is short for "Gorgeous Purple Van," however, the actual full name is "Payoti the Purple Rhinoceros." The Van is used for absolutely everything...cargo space (band equipment)...sleeping...watching movies...tailgating...card games...road trips...band trips...road trips with the band...EVERYTHING! It's got bucket seats, an electric fold up bed in the back, limo lights, a CASETTE PLAYER, beautiful mohogany trim (with a shine!), and all of the seats have two arm rests!
Scott Fovel told me, "Why do I love this so much? Well first of all, without it the band would have to take 3 cars everywhere. Secondly, I've slowed down my driving considerably and have never had a ticket in nearly 4 years of owning it. Third of all, I haven't had one problem with it. Lastly, it looks like a moose. Seriously. I drive 40 mph everywhere...to work...to school...on dates...to church...NO FLAWS! I've also become a big time Chevy guy. So much to the level of cutting off Ford's every chance I get. I have to remind myself, "Scott, don't get in a huge car accident here..." because I tend to let my emotions get the best of me in a driving scenario. Well, that's it. Beep when you see a van and let everyone else follow your big ass."
There you have it ChillFans, the inside scoop on the van. Please leave your fondest Van memories below...
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Fri, Aug 22, 2008 @ 09:47 AM
So the boys are leaving Boston and headed to New York City...(hey, they got calzones here?!)
Yes, they do have calzones. They also have a big ChillSet following, so I know all you NYC ChillFans are excited to see the boys play your home town. This one will probably sell out, so I suggest scooping up your tickets soon. I'll try to organize a caravan so that the locals can easily get to the show. Not sure the best way to get there, but I plan to just follow that Gorgeous Purple Van.
The show is Saturday September 6th at Sullivan Hall, located at 214 Sullivan Street, between Bleecker St and W 3rd St. Doors open at 7:30.
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Thu, Aug 21, 2008 @ 09:30 AM
Ok everybody, lot of great going on here, "I'm pumped and jacked," as ol Pete Carrol used to say. (side note- Juice and I once yelled at Petey boy at a Pat's game...and he actually heard us! He stopped dead in his tracks, locked eyes with us, and we told him he was the biggest weeney in Foxboro! He cried, we laughed, none of us have been the same since).
Anyway, the site is under construction right now, so you'll have to bear with me, but we're envisioning all kinds of good stuff. Off-stage stories of teh band on tour, fun facts, and links to other great chill music all over the web.
If you have an idea for teh website, leave a comment and let me know. Remember, this site is for you the fans!
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Wed, Aug 20, 2008 @ 10:08 AM
Hey ChillFans, so I wanted to let everyone know about a day of peace, love, and music coming up-
ChillSet is headlining the first annual Creegans Stock in Worcester, MA. This is a golden oppertunity to experience what ChillSet offers as a band. It's going to be a great day, with plenty of drinks, nice sun, and that good ole cowbell ringing in the summer sun! You can buy tickets online right here.
The event kicks off around 4pm on Saturday August 23rd. Creegan's pub is located at 65 Green St. ChillFans, let's get after it this weekend!
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Fri, Aug 15, 2008 @ 02:31 PM
Ever wonder what the band does when they're not on stage? Did you know Jonsie is an experienced Big Foot hunter and active enthusiast?
Take a look at this picture, that's justin jones prancin around because he found big foot.
OK, so that's not really Juice...BUT, It is confirmed that Justin Jones has been "talking up" the news about big foots body being found. Recently. I wonder if it...is...justin jones... I mean, can't we consider it? Would it be that weird if Justin had another life in which he hunted for Bigfoot? No, I don't think that's weird at all. And now, he finally has found BigFoot and wants to combine worlds. It's just like when in Harry Potter with the "muggles" and the "wizards"
Bottom Line, we wondered where he goes at night "hanging out in webster" when we now know that he was searching for Bigfoot....apparently, with great success.
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Thu, Aug 14, 2008 @ 09:13 AM
So on my way in this morning, I was chatting with a buddy who runs a terrific manufacturing market reasearch site, and he couldn't believe I hadn't put any ChillSet music on my website. Duh, probably makes sense! So if you're looking for some tunes to help get you through this work day, check out www.myspace.com/chillsetmusic and www.chillsetmusic.com. Honestly, I don't know how anyone can make it through the day without a little Gettin Punchy, but that's just me....
Posted by amavrikos@hubspot.com on Wed, Aug 13, 2008 @ 03:44 PM
Hey all, so here is the first blog article...are you as excited as me? Probably not, but anyway, here we go! I'd like to use this blog as a place to communicate with my fellow Chillfans. We can share thoughts on past shows, new songs, Scott's van, Dan's raw sex appeal, etc.
Seeing as this is my first blog post, I figure I'd start with a quick history on the band for all those ChillFans that don't know much about the boys.
So Scott Fovel, Dan Ober, and Justin Jones have been playing music since middle school. Justin was playing in a band known as Animicus. Their hit "Intricate Song" was evidence at an early age that Justin's musical creativity would be promising. (Note- I can't remember the name of the B-side to Intricate at the moment, but in my opinion, it contains the best guitar solo Justin has ever recorded...and he wasn't even old enough to drive himself to the recording studio!)
At the same time, another band was tearing up the local music scene. In Case of Fire showcased Scott Fovel singing and a 13 year old Dan Ober behind the drum kit. ICOF was a punk band that played originals and covered songs from bands like the Misfits and MXPX. Unfortunately, the band was struggling to find a unique sound, and this was perhaps no more evident then at a Medway High fundraising event. As fate would have it, Justin was performing some material from his solo project at the event, and introduced himself to the clearly frustrated, but obviously talented Scott Fovel. They soon joined up to form a new band, Void. At this same time, Dan would continue to jam with other local musicians and work on solo compositions.
In my opinion, Void represented the exploratory years in Scott and Justin's musical journey. Their sound was much heavier and much less chill then the tunes we all enjoy today. However, this is not to say the band was without success. With songs such as "Dawning," Void would go on to win a Battle of the Bands contest at Lupos in RI.
Void would ultimately decide to change musical direction. They added new members and with that, a new name: Visceral. Visceral, similar to Void in sound, would write some great songs such as "Rondo in C," "Speed," and of course "The Phoenix." The band enjoyed much success with regular gigs in the Boston and Providence, RI areas. They even opened for Vince Neil of Motley Crue. However, the band was dealing with internal personality struggles and ultimately decided to call it quits after a local college rugby fundraiser gig in 2005. (fun fact, OJ Simpson's daughter was in attenance at this final show!).
Side note- I went to several Void and Visceral shows back in the day, and never once saw an even remotely attractive girl. This should have been the first sign that things weren't on track, but I digress...
If nothing else, these bands brought Justin and Scott closer, both musically and personally. It was in the wake of Visceral that the unlikely beginings of ChillSet would form. It started with Justin performing solo acoustic performances at local metro west bars. And not just your typical covers you usually hear out at most bars either...I'm talking about Juice singing "Come Sail Away" with more passion then I should probably be allowed in public!
Naturally, Scott would sit in on songs every now and then, always to the audiences' delight. The two produced an energy and connection with audiences seldom achieved with acoustic duo acts. In fact, their shows at Tennessee's in Milford are legendary. It was here that Justin would begin his trademark standing on chairs and tables while playing, where Scott would dress up like Santa Claus (and I think a cow once too?), and where the infamous "Chillshot" was first drank....no, imbibed! These gigs also began to showcase an old familiar face, Dan Ober. Without doubt, Dan brought the band to the next musical level. With Scott at lead vocals and bongos, Justin on 12 string acoustic guitar and vocals, and Dan on drums, the ChillSet sound was complete and things really took off.
The incomporable Aaron Fleishman joined the band as manager, and soon they were booking gigs throughout the Boston area. They've packed Harper's Ferry, they sold out the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, and they finally got some girls to attend their shows that, shall we say, possess many of the qualities that the superficial male would find attractive (great seinfeld line right there). Today, the band continues to play packed shows and their following is growing quickly. The other day I was in the Watertown mall and I saw a random girl wearing a ChillSet t-shirt. Couldn't believe it, how cool is that?
Well, there's the quick history. Please post a comment! What is your earliest Scott, Dan, or Justin musical memory? What did I miss in the history that you would add? Let's hear it Chillfans...