When Chris was 15 his Uncle Angelo bought him a guitar. Chris began teaching himself how to play, but he didn't become serious about music until the very end of high school. He was too busy skateboarding.
Right after high school, Chris started playing with the Vacant Andys, his first serious band. After several years with the Vacant Andys and a one-album stint with The Agency, Chris went on to play with Further Seems Forever. While he was with FSF he started a solo side-gig and took a chance with an acoustic sound. Dashboard Confessional began when he recorded the Drowning EP for Fiddler Records.
The name Dashboard Confessional comes from one of Chris' songs, "The Sharp Hint of New Tears". The line "On the way home, this car hears my confessions." made the phrase Dashboard Confessional pop into his head. Chris didn't want to name his new act after himself because right from the start he wanted his fans to sing along and be a part of his performance. He thought a solo name might discourage his audience from being an integral part of the show.
Dashboard fans have spread from Florida across the country and are growing every day. But Chris still appreciates the loyalty of his Florida fanbase who have been there for him since the Vacant Andys. Chris says "I think the kids in Florida are just different kinds of fans. They really support their bands. I'm one of those kids, so it's nice to see." But Chris also notes that in his recent tour, everywhere he went his audiences reminded him of home. " It seems that the rest of the country is taking a nod from the kids down here. On my last tour, kids treated me as if, literally, they're my buddies and they're rooting for me. And they really connected."
While the studio recordings of Dashboard Confessional have connected with fans across the country, the real Dashboard experience happens on the road. As Chris put it, "If you come to one of my shows, you're kind of expected to sing along as loud as I do, and it's just really like a team effort. It's almost organic how much the kids are involved. They are part of the band."
On The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, Chris got some musical help from his friends. The beautiful female voice heard on several tracks is that of Jolie Lindholm, lead singer of The Rocking Horse Winner. Dan Bonebrake who was in the Vacant Andys with Chris plays bass, and Mike Marsh from The Agency plays drums. Chris really appreciates that Dan and Mike are taking off their time from their band, Seville, to help him with his project, including joining him on tour.
Right now Chris is enjoying writing songs and touring, which is the best way he knows to thank his great fans.
