Newly formed band ChessBoxer is leading a charmed life so far, going from inception to high profile moments like opening for and collaborating with Warren Haynes as his Ashes & Dust Band. Formed from pieces of beloved band Cadillac Sky, musicians Ross Holmes and Matt Menefee have’s great affinity for acoustic Americana and their skills on the banjo and fiddle were already musically simpatico. Joined by Royal Masat on upright bass, their music has taken many new dimensions and time changes.

ChessBoxer’s ‘Apollo’ EP Is Bluegrass At Its Most Righteous

Our own Rex Thomson had a phone call with the band…that was unfortunately lost to the digital gods. The band was asked to redo the interview in written form. These are their answers as they were sent to us. They are presented unedited, with the only addition on our part this intro and our sincerest urges to check out this band when they come your way.

L4LM: Your band’s sound is beautific. Like going to a chamber music concert to find it being performed by a bluegrass band. How did you arrive at this blend?

CB – Our musical interests are wide and deep, the same as each of our individual upbringings. It was only when we went cycling next to a tiered stream that feeds into Loch Linnhe, and then gazed upon the majestic Unicorn Sea Witch Constellation with Pete Roe, that the melodious tones of orchestrated folk music left us with a fecund desire to pursue a new avenue in this broad genre.

L4LM: A lot of musician’s I’ve interviewed have been sports fans, but you have named your band after one of the most obscure sports around. Do you play chess and have you ever boxed?

CB – We’ve played chess and have played Punch-Out!!™ and Super Punch-Out!!™ on the Nintendo and Super Nintendo Gaming Systems. Real boxing must be very cathartic, but our little sausages wouldn’t like playing diminished arpeggios all swollen and bloodied from combat. Mental, physical, the combination of both in the sport is akin to our musical setting.

L4LM: Ever think of the marketing possibilities? You could challenge your fans to a quick game at the board and then a few rounds in the ring.

CB – We’re better suited to perform the accompanying music for the bout. In fact, there’s a great piece – see below for more info.

L4LM: If one of you had to fight Warren Haynes and one of you had to play him in chess, who would you send to each contest and why?

CB – None of us would ever fight Warren, he’s too sweet and gentle to ever go to blows with. Maybe if he declared a Thumb War. But, if each segment of the sport needed representation, Matt plays a very mental game of chess and Royal has the biggest muscles. Muscles Masat™.

l4LM: How did the gig backing Warren Haynes come about?

CB – As with most good things in our lives, Béla Fleck made the suggestion after he had been approached by Warren in search of a suitable band of merry men who had been performing together for some time. There was a very quick band deliberation before the “Yeas” won over the “Nays.” There actually weren’t any “Nays” when we discussed going Warren on tour. Or on tour with Warren for that matter.

L4LM: As side men who are also now your own band you are following the “Starland Vocal Band” business model. Can we look forward to songs of midday carnal pleasure in the future?

CB – We aren’t really sure what business model they created, maybe they were the original middle men? But if you’re implying that we might be recidivists in the afternoon delight department, you’ve nailed the assumption. Now, if you’re referring to our oft-performed piece, “Bacon,” then feel free to enjoy carnal pleasures all of the live long day! 99¢ is a smart investment for a little slice of “Bacon” – you’ll find it on the punctilious “Apollo EP.”

L4LM: Matt and Ross were founders of Cadillac Sky. I loved that band.

CB – Right now our future plans are to complete the new Assassin’s Creed ® Syndicate as well as Star Wars™ BattleFront on our recently acquired PlayStation® 4‘s we purchased online this past Black Friday. It’s amazing how discounted prices cause one to venture down the rabbit hole of technological hand-eye coordinated enjoyment that’s usually reserved for the fretted and fretless instruments we explore daily. As for Cadillac Sky ™®©, no plans as of right now revisit that golden era of delectatious confusion.

L4LM: You’ve presented me with an interesting challenge, interviewing a band that’s so new. We’re blazing a trail here. What questions do you anticipate being sick of?

CB – Sick of questions? Does Andrew Zimmern®©™ tire of boiled pigs nose sandwiches and cicada sous-vide? We think not.

L4LM: Is there anything I should have asked you, but didn’t?

CB – Maybe, which is actually the other side of the street? Or, better yet, why are highways built so close to the ground? Food for thought.

Chessboxer Fitzpleasure from Ryan Light Films on Vimeo.