As we move into the later half of 2003, Corey Hodgetts is moving on into the future. The break up of CrashPit came as quite a surprise to many people, but Corey is already moving into a new world and working on new and exciting projects.
Aside from walking forward and working on his music, Corey also works with Youth at Risk - and loves the job. He is also a Music Industry Teacher on the weekends as a part of an arts program where he teaches high school students about the A to Z of the music scene. He is also studying again.
Somehow, amongst all of the work and his ongoing projects, Corey recently found the time to take the opportunity to explain what happened with CrashPit and what up and coming projects he is working on, as he moves on from CrashPit and beyond...
Why did CrashPit break up?
Sometimes the good things in life only last for so long. I'm so proud of what we'd done and accomplished in the year we played together. We are still good mates... no hard feelings and silly shit... it's all honest and good. We are all grown men now and we all have other things going on. We're all moving on into the future.
Craig Anderson was a key member of the band. Was it a huge blow when he decided to leave?
Yes. Craig wrote a good 70% of the music. There was no doubt his departure would affect the band. We're still good mates and we still catch up.
Craig's departure wasn't the first time there was a line-up change in CrashPit. Earlier on, drummer Michael Davis also departed from the band. What happened there?
Mike is a top bloke. He and I did not always agree on things. Not that there was any dramas with that, it's just that Mike was not moving in the same direction that we were moving musically. He is an A-1 artist - he is full of talent and a good guy.
Julian Anderson brought a solid feel to the band. Do you feel his input made CrashPit a heavier band?
I have been so lucky with this band. Everyone who has been in it has been very cool and geniune and I tell you what: that is RARE in this town. Jules was a godsend at the right time and he brought his own style and groove to what we were doing. He was great on the recordings and is a real talent on the skins.
Although CrashPit as an outfit are no more, there's still more music coming out from that era of your musical career. Tell us about your new CD (TALES FROM THE OTHERSIDE) that's coming out.
I feel that as Crashpit has folded so did another page in my life. So I'm looking at putting out a CD called TALES FROM THE OTHERSIDE that covers all that I have done since 1998 (after a 3 year break from music between 96-98). It covers demos from SkinInc. with me singing Life (my first work with Stevie D), music from Contagious (2002) and also material from Crash / Crashpit (2002 - 2003). It's just a way to close one's door, I suppose. I'm also planning on doing Contagious II but it will be more diverse. I plan to play everything on it, so that's just another little mission I wanna put myself through. But my main deal at the moment is putting the Axe back on and backing up an old mate from waaaaayyy back: Kris Falconer (KIN, Vanadium ) - anyone with FALCON in his name is a buddy of mine. We are working on some fucking good shit at the moment and the whole feel of this band is OVER THE TOP and I'm loving it.
You had the experience of recording some CrashPit material with Stevie D earlier in the year. How did that go?
FAST! Anything with Stevie D is fast - and I love him for it. Stevie pulls out some great ideas and he is one of the most respected guys in the Perth scene. He has been such a big support not just to me but
to a shitload of people over the years. Perth would not be the same without that man.
Looking back, what, in your opinion, was the high point for CrashPit?
There was a lot. Access 31's Telethon was a bunch of fun. Some of those Taipan gigs rocked. The recording session at SLAM studios with Stevie. The Newport... and all the girls and free drinks.
Any other highlights?
Oh for sure. There was some low lights as well, but nothing I can mention! (laughs)
What was the most weirdest experience while in CrashPit?
(Laughs) The ones I can't mention... but I tell you something: everyone in the band at some stage had a low point in their personal lives and we still got through it.
CrashPit were a band that not only embraced music, but other things as well. You guys had CrashPit.Com, the trading cards, the stickers and so on... How did these aspects of the band come about?
It was all about getting the name out there & it was hard work, but a lot of fun. But if you don't do it, then you're no-one.
CrashPit.Com was the biggest website about a single Perth band when it was first launched, and quickly became a benchmark for local Perth musicians. Now that CrashPit have broken up, what's next?
Time will tell and like I said before about turning new pages: Everything is new and fresh again... a clear head and an empty page. We plan on nothing short than a top site that will cover everthing on all the new projects and bands that I'm working on. The new Contagious site will be all this and much more. Watch this space.
CrashPit.Com included features that other bands wouldn't usually bother with for their visitors, such as THE SLUDGE CAFE and CrashSongTheory... Will the new Contagious site continue with different features like CrashPit.com did?
Why not? We can only get better and as far as all the stuff other bands don't have, it's all about the people who do want to know more about your band - whether it's 2 people or 2000, its all promotion and giving them that
little bit more.
Could you see yourself working again with any of the members of CrashPit?
I can almost say right now that there will be something happening down the line with the guys at one point or another, just not right now.
How is the project with Kris Falconer coming along?
I feel like I'm 17 again. He is so hungry and pissed off right now and I need that around me to kick my ass. Even though I don't need to be pissed off, it's just that he is so motivated and open and I'm always like that
anyway. This band will be something to see, I can tell you that much.. and we don't give a flying duck what anyone thinks of us (laughs)
CONTAGIOUS II is in the works. Tell us about how you're recording this and what people can expect
Another self indulgent masterpiece of shit... just more of it (laughs). You will hear everthing from keyboard pop/rock to blistering black metal - WITHOUT missing any towns on the way. This may well be my final vocal recording, so I'm not holding back on anything. This will be my finest hour (laughs)
Are you still working with youth at risk?
Yes, and I love it. I'm also working as a Music Industry Teacher on the weekends with high school students. It looks at the ins and outs and the A to Z of the music scene. Aside from that, whenever I get any free time, I spend it hanging with my 3 year old son, Jayden. He rocks - he's not a bad little drummer and he loves his rock.
Are there any other future projects in the works?
Not as far as my music goes, but having said that, I'm always planning something else
Can visitors to the new Contagious site expect new tunes to be posted online for them to download?
As long as we can get them there we will always supply.
Do you have any messages for your online visitors?
To all those who gave us the time of day. We all thank you and hope you will continue to support whatever we do. This was all for you.
As we move into the later half of 2003, Corey Hodgetts is moving on into the future. The break up of CrashPit came as quite a surprise to many people, but Corey is already moving into a new world and working on new and exciting projects.
Craig Anderson was a key member of the band. Was it a huge blow when he decided to leave?
Although CrashPit as an outfit are no more, there's still more music coming out from that era of your musical career. Tell us about your new CD (TALES FROM THE OTHERSIDE) that's coming out.
You had the experience of recording some CrashPit material with Stevie D earlier in the year. How did that go?
CrashPit were a band that not only embraced music, but other things as well. You guys had CrashPit.Com, the trading cards, the stickers and so on... How did these aspects of the band come about?
CrashPit.Com included features that other bands wouldn't usually bother with for their visitors, such as THE SLUDGE CAFE and CrashSongTheory... Will the new Contagious site continue with different features like CrashPit.com did?
CONTAGIOUS II is in the works. Tell us about how you're recording this and what people can expect