Beasto Blanco members’
Interview conducted on March 18,
by Dan Locke
A band and an audience united in one inseparable union of musical thunder and sensational spectacle: Welcome to the world of Beasto Blanco. Whether illuminated in the spotlights of cavernous arenas or headlining packed theaters and clubs on their recent “US” tour, the band’s mission is unwavering: to create an immersive experience where everyone is welcome to join an extended family whose support is unconditional and authentic.
Since its founding, Beasto Blanco has riveted worldwide audiences: in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, France, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Austria, Norway and the UK; at sea with the “Monsters of Rock” cruise, and across distant points of the North American heartland, from Anchorage to Los Angeles..
Band Members
Chuck Garric – Vocals – Guitar
Calico – Vocals
Brother Latham – Guitar
Jan LeGrow – Bass
Sean Sellers – Drums
Dan Locke: What was the band’s musical inspiration and influences?
Calico: In the beginning, it was first dancing and acting. I had done some things with music with my dad (Alice Cooper) included being a sadistic nurse in his band on stage, but besides that I never really wanted to be in a band.
Brother Latham: Thanks for having us a part of your publication.
Generic as this reads, rock n roll is our musical influence. We all grew up listening and absorbing everything that’s rock n roll. From the lifestyle, the social impact, to the music and artists that created this music, and gave personal statements to us individually. It’s only natural that this influence comes out in Beasto’s music and live shows.
How did your band get started?
Brother Latham: It started out as demos of songs. just for fun. Chuck had some tunes that we went through and mixed/matched parts too, and recorded them. In the studio, this is when we looked at each other and realized we were on to something.
Calico; I never really wanted to be in a band. I was an actress first. Since the age of 5, I have been in front of people. Doing television and movie roles. Everything from Hawaii Five O to Nickelodeons “Henry Danger”.
Until after Chuck approached me to sing background vocals for the band. I was nervous at first but me and the band grow together. First, I would do a little background vocal and as time passes my role became more and more. Now you see me in front singing my big voice.
What type of sound were you hoping for in the beginning?
Brother Latham: We didn’t come to the table with a defined sound per se. Its when we were in the studio with Tommy Henriksen (first record “Live Fast Die Loud”) where the songs started dictating the sound we wanted to accomplish. Its always evolving, listening to the following two records we did with Ryan Greene. And will keep evolving as our songwriting evolves. Did I mention “evolve” 🙂
And did it end up, being different from you would you were trying to develop?
How did Calico get into the band?
Brother Latham: Calico, came in and sang bits on the first record. I don’t think she knew there was a hidden agenda happening. Lol.. until she heard the final mixes of the record, and we asked her to tour with Beasto for an upcoming Euro tour. And when presented, she was starting her acting career and wasn’t sure about a “band” situation. She had been touring with AC for some years and was looking to focus on her own passions. By the end of the first show, there was nothing holding her back. So, she’s been a part of this since its inception… As if she had a choice! Ha!
What is the process of the band writing their songs?
Brother Latham: The process? We bounce ideas, demo recordings back and forth. I send musical riffs to Chuck, and vise versa. And we see what sparks. Lyrically Lindsay, Chuck’s wife completes the tale. Chuck may have a concept of what the song’s story is, and Lindsay has a great way of putting meaning to words.
Your band in the beginning had the ear of Johnny Depp. Why was that?
Brother Latham: The songs were passed around to a few people at first, Johnny happened to one of them. He and a few others were kind enough to give Beasto some feedback, and quotes on what they thought of the tunes.
Since forming you have toured all around the world. What would you call the best places for musicians to perform?
Brother Latham: They all are special. Over the past couple of years have we started playing more in the US. Finding there is a demand for us here. We’re still making headway. Everywhere we have been blessed to perform, the show seems to translate across to all rock audiences, and rock cultures.
Calico: I would say Europe. Because the crowd knows how to really appreciate a band. They can sing every song that the band performs. And if we stop playing, they would finish the song for us. :
Why use brother instead of your real name?
Brother Latham:: Awhile back, the first incarnation of Beasto we had a band called “The Drüts”, our management team dubbed me Brother Latham. It was something that stuck with me all of these years. There was something I liked about it. We are all brothers and sisters alike…. hence Brother Latham. I do like my real name too.
Are you a real surfer?
Brother Latham:: I love being outside and part of nature…Real surfer? Yes. Crowd surfer? No! Am I good at it? Not really, but I love the essence of the ocean, and being in the ocean. Its the best feeling paddling out. Like music. Bill Hamilton says it like this ” sliding into a wave removes our brains out of the ordinary and slips us into the extraordinary, of being there now. No worries or strife. When you enter the domain of an ocean cylinder, that moment, those split seconds belong to the Zen part of being”. There is so much truth in that. Nothing else matters. I love it! The moment it does, you’re toast. Fear into courage. The Beasto credo.
If you could create your own supergroup outside of your current bad members, who would you choose?
Jan Le Grow: I feel like I already do play in a supergroup. I‘m part of an amazing group of brothers and sisters, fantastic musicians and we all share a wonderful friendship.
And you can’t really have one without the other. A band without friendship doesn’t work if you ask me.
How was the Monster of Rock Cruise?
Brother Latham: Monstrous! I can’t say enough great things about these events. Being able to interact with the fans, and the event staff is such a killer experience. The fan base we gained from the MORC has really helped us gain momentum in the US.
Calico: It is the best. Just like Europe. But the nice thing about it, once you are off stage you have time to spend with the fans. Because on a general tour. You play on the stage and after the show, you meet with the fans for maybe an hour and then you off to another city. On the cruise. I could take time with the fans. And we can enjoy the music of other bands together. It like I am a family member of my fans. And they treat us like family.
How was Alice Cooper Pudding’s show?
Chuck: Wet and Muddy?
Calico: Known as one of Phoenix’s signature holiday events, Alice Cooper’s Annual Christmas Pudding Fundraiser brought together Michael Bruce, Neal Smith and Dennis Dunaway from Alice Cooper’s original band, along with people like Rob Halford, front man for Judas Priest, Joe Bonamassa, one of the world’s greatest living guitarists, and Johnny Depp of The Hollywood Vampires. It has raised over $621K which is used to provide the staff and resources for the FREE music, dance, arts and vocational training programs for teens 12-20 at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers.
It always includes performances from the Solid Rock Dancers and the winners of this year’s Proof is in the Pudding Musical Talent Search, Alice’s own version of American Idol.
To me it is family. And it something we do during the holiday season. It is part of my dad
Chuck/Calico- Did you know Brian Nelson? Can you tell me a funny story about him? ( I went to high school with him).
Brother Latham: Brian was a good ole boy…
Calico: That is so funny. What was he like in high school?
Before Brian went to work for your dad, everything he did surrounded Alice Cooper. Including him doing an Alice Cooper song at Kenmore West High School talent show.
Calico: Now that is funny. I think I have seen a video of his performance.
Would you go to a high school talent show?
Calico: I would like to but it would be strange. Because I would be seating in the audience, and people would be asking me who kid is yours.
What has changed as your band gets bigger and bigger?
Brother Latham: A bigger baseball bat collection for Cali. More touring, and ability focus more on Beasto.
Jan Le Grow: The popularity lol
Honestly not too much because we don’t change. We bring the same show whether it’s for 2 people or 2000.
The meet and greets get bigger and our Beasto Blanco family does grow and that very humbling to experience.
I grew up in a small town in Germany and for me to be able to travel the world and play music to people and make new friends on different continents it really is a dream come true!
What do you feel are the band’s biggest videos?
Brother Latham: Breakdown, The Seeker, and Death Rattle.
Calico: It goes by album. Seeker and I Rise,
Jan Le Grow: Breakdown because it set the pace and it introduced us to the world.
Death Rattle because it was the first video featuring the full band.
The Seeker and Solitary Rave because they tell a story and they’re not just your typical music video with four or five dudes in black shirts playing the tune
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Calico: We were on tour at the time the Covid-19 virus hit the states. We had to think about how to keep our family safe.
Due to the quarantine situation around the world, many musicians and artists are working on big online projects, to inspire and uplift people’s spirits during this difficult time in our lives. Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?
We have been doing Zoom sessions to keep our fans happy.
Calico: Doing the break I will be working full time with my production company Pretty Nifty Productions. We do Copywriting, Pre-production, Post-production, Live action, 2D, 3D, VFX, and Virtual Reality. And we are working on a series called Rays of the Darkness.
How do you see yourselves in five years?
Brother Latham: Looking back, remembering the last 5. We have goals, but I feel we take each moment at growing with it, making mistakes and our achievements with us to each level we encounter. Always “Onward, Forward, and Upward”. Keep humble, enjoy the music, and each other.
Jan Le Grow: I‘m more of a one day at a time kinda guy because I truly believe in the saying: Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.
And we’ve had that experience in this band more than once.
Anything in closing?
Brother Latham: Thanks for taking the time. And we appreciate your support of music, rock n roll, and Beasto Blanco. Cheers to Unrated Magazine.
Jan Le Grow: We’re definitely here for the long run. We’re going to be around for a while, whether you like it or not.
There is only one direction in life and that is forwardCalico: If you have just a little bit of extra time to do a project. Just do it and check to see what can happen.
Check out Shows from the past
Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding The Night Beasto Blanco came to town
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