Coheed and Cambria’s website has a section called fan uploads with the subheading tattoos; posted are numerous photos of fans expressing their devotion to the progressive rock band in ink.
“I think it’s really awesome,” bassist Michael Todd tells Metro. “We are the definition of a cult band and that kind of proves it, and I love it.”
Hailing from New York, the band’s lineup also includes vocalist and guitarist Claudio Sanchez, guitarist Travis Stever and drummer Chris Pennie.
Known for their concept albums, Coheed’s current release, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World For Tomorrow, is the band’s fourth disc and part of a continuing storyline based on Sanchez’s comic book project called the Amory Wars.
Todd summarizes the plot, explaining, “there are two characters, kind of antiheroes Coheed and Cambria, and their children, and basically what happens after their (Coheed and Cambria’s) deaths and their one son’s vendetta, ends the entire universe.”
That’s the extremely short version. When asked if the band worries about alienating potential new fans by overwhelming them with the complex story, the bassist does admit it comes with a certain level of baggage.
“We make a point that you don’t really need the story to get into the music. I mean we’re a rock band first and foremost. The story’s there if people choose to explore that avenue, but it’s definitely not necessary.”
Todd says the band has at least one more disc planned to tie in to the comics.
“We have one more definitely and that will wrap up everything in this particular part of the story. And then we might move on to another part of the universe or we might make regular records.”
With a list of Influences that includes Queen, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin, it’s no wonder Coheed and Cambria’s music is generally labeled as prog rock.
But lately the group has also been labelled with the emo tag, which is something Todd doesn’t necessarily agree with,
“I think it’s an all encompassing band we have here, in the broad sense it’s just rock music. Progressive is, I think, the most accurate category,” he says. “Emo, I think is more of a time and place thing … but I think we can fit in anywhere to a certain extent. Generally we’re a rock band first and foremost.”
