By Colin Best, lead guitarist of Long Beach-based band, The Academy of Chess and Checkers, strode onto the patio outside Starbucks on Pine Ave. and adjusted himself to the calmness of the atmosphere, ready to discuss his band’s history.
The Academy of Chess and Checkers began in 2005. Best describes their music as similar to resembling acts like Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd and Radiohead. The band tries to have a strong song basis, but they also focus on extended improvisation.
In the beginning, the band played in clubs up and down Southern California. However, after a while, the band began focusing on making records more than touring. Best had a problem with playing live in clubs.
“As a music fan, the music experience was horrible,” Best said. “You’d go to these clubs and it’s overpriced, they don’t treat you well and they don’t give consideration to having synergy between the different acts.”
Best said that there would be a mixed audience as fans from different bands waited to hear their favorite bands play. He was turned off by this experience.
However, after taking time to create music, Best decided that it was time to go back playing live; however, it had to be on his terms.
“It’s hard to get all your people out and watch you for 40 minutes,” Best said about his previous experiences playing live.
Best is a man with a lot of colorful ideas brewing inside his head. At the end of a past performance, the band dressed up as martial arts actor Steven Seagal and played one of his movies in the background. As the movie played, the band jammed with the music score in the movie.
As an artist, Best writes the lyrics and composes the music for the band.
“It all starts as poetry,” Best said. “And some of it does come from my life, but I’m more about giving the listener an experience as opposed to just telling them a biographical story. But hopefully there’s enough ambiguity where they can put their own selves in the situation.”
Best said that he enjoys creating music more than promoting it. He said that he “gets more bang for his buck” this way.
“I just do it cause I love it,” Best said. “I don’t really see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”
Best said he loves to do projects that stir an emotion inside the audience, whether it is through his lyrics, songs, or films.
“If it’s shit or if it’s good, it’s nobody’s fault but mine,” Best said.
Best said that he would feel like he “made it” only if other musicians he respected listened to his music and validated him. Even after that, he would still continue making music.
“My long term goal is to get better,” Best said. “That’s why art is the best thing. You can’t get bored; there’s always something else to do. There is no Super Bowl or mountain top to climb.”
The Academy of Chess and Checkers will play at the Long Beach Playhouse on Oct. 1. Their latest album, “Seven Trains for the Sky,” is available on their website.
For more information about the band and tickets to their upcoming shows, visit academyofchessandcheckers.com.
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