Caustic

Words and Photo by Joe Koch

Matt Caustic — lead vocals and guitars for the metal band Caustic, has been walking the line of peaks and valleys his whole life. While living in Boston, he realized that he had to find a solution to his deviation from his true passion of performing and writing music.

“I got so caught up in recording albums and doing sound for all these other bands, that I wasn’t playing anymore and that was just eating at me,” said Matt.

He quickly realized that he could resume doing those other things 15 years from now and nothing would be lost. Matt decided it was time to focus on his own project. But, it costs money to be in a band, so Boston was probably not the best place to start this venture.

“I needed to move to a place where the cost of living was affordable," said Matt, "so I packed up and headed back to Watertown, N.Y., where I went to high school. I still knew a lot of people and the pool of talent in the area was plentiful.”

Like the story goes for so many bands, members disband. Whether it was drugs, alcohol or just lack of commitment, no matter the scenario it was not enough to discourage Matt. Some might have viewed Caustic as a revolving door with the number of line-up changes. It has been eight years since the band's inception and Matt is the only original member, yet he speaks confidently that all the changes have been for the better.

“The songs have always been the songs and the fans have always gravitated to them. The writing formula for the songs hasn’t changed, so the fan base has remained and grown over time,” said Matt. “We didn’t alienate anyone through the changes. I think that was the key.”

In 2005, Caustic released its first full-length album, From Zero to Hate, and thanks to their loyal legion of fans the album sold out. The band proudly boasts about its loyal fans, who follow them across New York state. Matt still finds himself in awe when droves of people show up at shows sporting Caustic T-shirts.

“That just confirms that whatever we’re doing, we’re doing something right,” said Matt.

He has no problem admitting to being a Rush fan, which is partly why he wanted the next record to be a concept album; Rush has made several. Feeling that the art of the album was dead, Matt’s goal was to revive the experience of the complete package that a vinyl record offered.

“I used to dig sittin’ down with a new album, pulling out the artwork, the lyrics and kickin’ back and enjoying the 45-minute journey," he said. "Mp3s have killed that whole thing."

The concept of Caustic's newest record, 12 Step Suicide, may not be the most positive message, but it’s real. The characters seem fictional but most of the story lines are based on personal tragedies, or successes, depending on how you look at it.

“I’ve had several people in my life that I’ve had to deal with their addictions. I always made excuses and told myself that it was going to get better. Next thing you know five years, seven years and then 10 years went by and I was still talking myself out of the real deal," Matt said. "I see this stuff every day and it’s just a vicious circle."

Instead of succumbing to the weaknesses that surround him, these have made him stronger. He’s learned to quickly cut his losses and move forward. Caustic’s current line-up has Matt hopeful. He was once the only song writer in the band. Now he can rely on Brandon Wheeler (guitars), Donnie Death (bass) and Nick Wisner (drums) to contribute. The band now gels as a unit. All the hard work is paying off and the smell of success is just around the corner. Record labels, managements and promoters — they are all starting to take notice.