Candlebox rode the wave that came out of the ’90s Seattle scene thanks to megahits “Far Behind” and “You” off of their self-titled 1993 debut (which is now quadruple platinum!). However, over time, band founder and frontman Kevin Martin matured the group’s sound, which is quite evident on brand new release “Disappearing in Airports.”
Produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Think Loud Studios in York, Pa., the sixth offering from Candlebox, which dropped April 22 via new label Pavement Entertainment, is more mainstream modern rock than previous efforts - but still very much guitar-driven. Joining Martin this time around is drummer Dave Krusen, bassist Adam Kury and guitarists Mike Leslie and Brian Quinn.
Often referred to as a “post-grunge” act, Candlebox’s “Disappearing in Airports” has more in common with a band like Matchbox Twenty (especially on album opener “Only Because of You”) than any of their ’90s peers. Lyrically, though, the new tunes very much reflect current times as politically and socially charged tracks sit alongside lighter fare. Social media entitlement is covered in first single “Vexatious.” The American gun epidemic is tackled in “I’ve Got a Gun.” “Alive at Last” is about people struggling with issues that are destroying them physically and/or mentally. And “God’s Gift,” well, that’s about none other than the narcissistic Kanye West.
Martin is very excited for people to hear “Disappearing in Airports.” “This is the first record that I’ve actually listened to every day since it’s been done, since November, which is weird for me because I’ve never been able to listen to a Candlebox record more than once or twice and, maybe, a couple of weeks later I’ll listen to it again, but there is something special about this record,” he said during an exclusive interview with HNGN days before the album’s release. “So I’m hoping that this is as positive for everybody else as it is for me.”
Creating this album allowed Martin, who is now based in Los Angeles, to fully express himself in a way that he has not been able to before. Read on to find out how and why...
And then there’s “God’s Gift,” which is all about the egotistical Kanye West.
He’s a total waste of air space. It’s funny because the lyrics and the chorus are all either things that he’s said about himself or titles of his songs. Everyone just feels that they’ve got to blow smoke up his ass, and I just don’t see the value to his music or to him as a human being. I don’t see him doing anything beneficial for anyone other than himself. I just think that, as a society, you’ve got to stop breeding that ignorance. There are other artists, rappers out there… Nas is a perfect example of one of the greatest rappers in the history of rap music and you don’t hear him spouting out the kind of s--t that comes out of Kanye’s mouth and he’s just as respected. I just don’t understand.
Are you ready for him to come after you?
I would love that. He doesn’t even know who I am and, even if he did, he probably would not even give two s--ts about what I have to say. This is a guy who’s asking for money from Mark Zuckerberg for Christ’s sake!
Have you picked a second single yet?
We’re feeling “Supernova.” Everybody’s loving that song, they love how it moves. It’s got that great disco-funk feel to it. We wrote it [in the vein of] the Rolling Stones’ “Emotional Rescue” with KISS’ “I Was Made for Loving You” - it felt like that great, sexy funk that nobody really wants to talk about. I thought combining two of my favorite bands into one atmosphere would be interesting.
CANDLEBOX TOUR DATES
April 26: Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center in Little Rock, Ark.
April 27: Live Oaks Bar and Ballroom in Monroe, La.
April 28: Varsity Theatre in Baton Rouge, La.
April 29: Club La Vela in Panama City Beach, Fla.
April 30: Welcome To Rockville in Jacksonville, Fla.
May 3: Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, Md.
May 5: 12th and Porter in Nashville, Tenn.
May 6: Carolina Rebellion in Charlotte, N.C.
May 7: Adelphia Music Hall in Marietta, Ohio
May 19: Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Penn.
May 21: Jergels Rhythm Grill in Warrendale, Penn.
May 28: Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.
June 12: St. Joseph 4H Fairgrounds in South Bend, Ind.
June 14: Planet Live Music Factory in Battle Creek, Mich.
June 16: Mystique Casino in Dubuque, Iowa
June 17: Crusen’s in Peoria, Ill.
June 21: George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, Ark.
June 22: Two Frogs Grill in Ardmore, Okla.
July 9: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights, Mo.
Aug. 6: Timberwood Amphitheater in Hot Springs, Ark.
For more on Candlebox, visit the band’s official website, Facebook or Twitter.
