In their 10-year history, Beverly, Mass-based Caspian’s line-up has switched and expanded to fit each member’s changing needs without any thought of the original core four — Joe Vickers (drums), Philip Jamieson (guitar), Chris Friedrich (bass), and Calvin Joss (guitar) — leaving the band completely. Marriage, kids, work; all was accommodated with extra hands in the form of guitarists Erin Burke-Moran and Jonny Ashburn. (There’s no such thing as too many guitarists in a post-rock band.) Until, that is, Friedrich’s sudden death this summer put a permanent wrinkle in Caspian’s story.
“It’s the kind of thing that we’re still processing. There are some days that it feels longer ago than it was and there are some days where it feels like it was last week,” says Jamieson, speaking from a tour stop in Norwich, England, where Caspian is opening HIM’s European trek. “The emotions are so up and down and all over the place that it’s tough to get a grip on anything permanent in this situation. We are taking it one day at a time.”
Friedrich, who was newly married, was on hiatus from touring and longtime friend Jani Zubikovs (Sainthood Reps) was set as stand-in for the booked shows, allowing Caspian to slip into a comforting familiar routine after the unexpected tragedy.
“Chris was always a big fan of Jani’s bass sensibilities, he always connected with him. We know that Chris wanted this band to succeed more than anybody and we are renewed in that,” adds Jamieson. “In terms of finding any solid ground, the only thing that makes sense to any of us is the hour on stage. Everything makes sense up there and then when we get off everything’s all over the place.”
