ION INDIE MAGAZINE January 2016, Volume 20 | Page 73

There's no question that the landscape of the music world is more challenging for independent musicians
to navigate than ever before. The digital age completely changed the relationship between musical artists
and their consumers. Passion, perseverance, persistence and the outright ability to ROCK is precisely what
assures SAINT CAINE their dream becoming reality is only a matter of time. After all, members JOHN
KOSCO (Vocals/Guitar), CHRIS HAMILTON (Drums), BRIAN QUINN (Guitar), and JOHN “EVILLE” FREEMAN
(Bass) have all experienced significant success in the course of their music careers. This rogue Rock band
out of New Jersey has shared the stage and toured with the likes of GODSMACK and others. Saint Caine is
no stranger to arena stages. Regardless of their previous successes and endless connections within the
music industry, Saint Caine has remained humble, focused and motivated to make it on their own steam.
With talent and experience like this, there's no doubt that Saint Caine will be making their mark on the
Billboard Charts in 2016. I'm saying now that I told you so…
Scotty J: You guys have experienced some fairly significant successes before your time in Saint Caine. Can
you talk a little bit about your previous experience? John, you with DROPBOX; Chris, you with
BLOODSIMPLE. And, how does that fuel the fire that is now Saint Caine?
Kosco: Yeah, Dropbox was a short but sweet run. It was a getting to share the stage with so many
inspirational bands over those years. Coincidentally enough, Dropbox will be in the studio doing another
record. I love the story about how Chris came up to one of the radio shows I was doing with the Godsmack
crew in like, ‘03 or something like that. I had his number in my pocket for, like a year before I called him
after confirming it with Shannon Larkin--who said that would be a great idea get in touch with him ASAP.
Aside from watching him perform live and writing with him, it wasn't even a thought to find anyone else to
continue our project. I think we wrote the song “You Will”, the first record, in like an hour.
Hamilton: I've been fortunate to play for many bands, most notably DOWNSET and BLOODSIMPLE. I have
been able to tour with some great bands: MUDVAYNE, MASTODON, SLAYER, SEVENDUST, DISTURBED,
EYEHATEGOD…to name a few. It’s great being able to experience other cities and countries. Meet so many
cool people. Things I would never have been able to do in a "normal" life. And all that experience and
touring really makes me want to take this band to that level; and beyond anything any of us have done. I
want to make this band something we can do full time for the next 20 years.
Scotty J: Saint Caine has been on tour, and both of you have some fairly substantial connections in the
music industry. Yet, here you are an independent band playing for the love of your art. Do you ever get
frustrated that you don't yet have the backing of a record label? Or is this more just the way the landscape
is in the music industry today?
Kosco: It's a bummer when I go to see friends in big acts on tour for a quick visit and see the production
and the cozy bus…and I have always been obsessed with performing in front of big crowds. But at the end
of the day, I know that my band is talented enough to do what they are doing for the masses or the radio,
if we felt like spitting out a radio song. The integrity of this band has never been broken. If a record label
wants to work with us in anyway shape or form, it's not difficult to get a hold of one of us.
Hamilton: Well, yes, we do know a lot of people. And I would love for someone to step up and help us out;
get us to the next level. But a lot of people in this business honestly are full of shit. They say one thing and
do another. It's disappointing, but it’s reality. We had someone who was gonna sing on this record.
Someone I've known for twenty years. And in the end it didn't happen. I think the biggest thing we need at
this point is a great manager and booking agent to get us out on more tours--and get the ball rolling so we
can do this full time.
Scotty J: You've recently had your new CD Release “Burn With the Gods of the Sun”. How much work went
in to the writing and then the recording studio sessions?