Chase Stain
Chase Stain (born Chase Lee Rodgers on November 17th, 1977) is best known as the bassist and primary vocalist for the American Punk Rock band Numbers On Napkins, and the President of the independent record label, Bad Stain Records. Stain has performed and recorded in a variety of bands, and as a solo artist, touring worldwide since 1996. 1
His record label has been releasing albums from bands across the U.S. and Canada since 1995. [http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/.../music/bad-stain-records-10-year-anniversary] 2 3 He plays a variety of instruments including guitar, drums, violin, piano, and banjo, although he has primarily played the bass guitar throughout his career in his bands. 4 He is an award winning songwriter and performer, [http://www.garageband.com/picks/punk?|pe1|asjLBHTXvurfPgXiK2RkAI5Vb0vEZ6p-QYWLn5KTqtrv6g] and has produced albums for Various Artists on his label. 5
Childhood
Chase Stain was born in Glendale, AZ on November 17th, 1977. He was the only child conceived from his parents James Paul Rodgers and Linda Jean Watts, although he does have an older half brother, Brent Rodgers and younger half brother, David Kitzig. Stain’s parents divorced when he was a young boy, and custody was granted to his mother. Stain was raised Phoenix, AZ by his mother until she relocated her family to Poway, CA when he was 10 years old. 6 According to an interview on The Brother Lovely’s Show in 1995, Stain said that over the next 2 years he frequently moved to cities across California including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Escondido, Compton, and even a brief stint in Tijuana, Mexico.
Before Stain’s 13th birthday, he moved back to Phoenix, AZ to live with his father, where he has resided ever sense. Stain went to Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, AZ, where he joined his first band, Dirty Laundry. Stain was almost expelled from Moon Valley on three separate occasions, and was crowned Homecoming King while he attended the school. He graduated in 1996. 7 8
Adulthood
After graduating high school, Stain toured with his band Dirty Laundry. 9 According to the book, Valley of the Spun (written by Mike Wilson), when he wasn’t on the road, he spent his time working at a local telemarketing office in Phoenix. Stain also spent a great deal of time in California while not on the road, struggling to make contacts for his label and fanzine, and spending time with his then girlfriend, a struggling actress and model, Cara Abrams.
According Stain’s biography (listed on his official website 10 ) and many of his lyrics (listed in his inserts in CDs from Numbers On Napkins, Dirty Laundry, and his Solo Project), he frequently dabbled on and off with various drugs and alcohol in his youth and into adulthood. In 1997, after frequent touring, various addictions and little income, Stain found himself homeless sleeping in his car. In 1998, his long time girlfriend, Cara Abrams, terminated their relationship after nearly 5 years. Shortly after, Stain’s band Dirty Laundry broke up. (Source: Valley of the Spun by Mike Wilson & Official Biography of Chase Stain 11 )
Stain focused on his record label and fanzine to fill the void in his life, until he met Amy Cole in 1999. Cole and Stain began a relationship and were quickly married by late 1999. The marriage was brief, and in 2001, the couple was divorced. (Sources: Maximum Rock N' Roll - 2000, Punk Planet - 2000, Official Chase Stain Biography 12 )
Stain reformed Dirty Laundry shortly after and played in venues across Arizona and California, although the band world never have another full U.S. tour. In 2002, Stain joined a variety of bands, but never played outside of Arizona. Stain became a foreman in the HVAC field, and continued to work with his label and various musical endeavors. 13
In 2003, Stain began dating long time friend January McGrath. Stain and McGrath conceived a child early into their relationship, and in 2004, McGrath gave birth to their daughter, Nova. 14 Stain eventually quit his job in the HVAC field and once again went on to run his label and perform music full time. In 2006, Stain and McGrath discontinued their relationship. 15 Stain and McGrath currently share joint custody of their daughter and Stain has been quoted as stating that they both have a “good relationship” and “work together well and always do what is best for Nova” (Source: from an interview in “Drunks & Punks“ in 2007).
Musical career
When Stain was 13, his father introduced him to the guitar. Stain had idolized his older brother that was the lead guitarist for a Phoenix band called Dr. Divine, as well as main stream bands like Guns N' Roses and Faith No More. (Source: Interview on The Brother Lovely's Show, 1996). Stain practiced and eventually joined a group of high school friends to form Dirty Laundry. Frequent line up changes moved Stain from lead vocalist to bassist, and the band eventually recorded and released their first album, 9 ½ Months on Dirty Records (a label Stain created as a way to promote the band). 16 Stain sang and wrote half the songs, and Dirty Laundry promoted the album by performing the song “[...] Moon Valley” (an offensive anthem that took shots at their fellow students and faculty of Moon Valley High School) at the high school talent show. As a result, the members of the band were suspended and nearly expelled. (Sources: Interview on The Brother Lovely's Show, 1996 - Interview in Maximum Rock N' Roll, 2000 17 )
Stain recorded with Dirty Laundry again in 1995 and helped to co-write the album along with guitarist Brandon “B-Hound” Jamison. Line up changes had added a new drummer, Ryan Hamilton to the band, and Dirty Laundry released their album All Washed Up on Stain’s new label, Bad Stain Records. 18
Other albums followed the following year, including their most notable release, Tales from the Laundry Room, and even an E.P. on Dirty Records (Stain’s former label) called Re-Elect Nixon. 19 20
The band toured frequently after 1996 when members had graduated from school, or dropped out to pursue their careers in the band. Dirty Laundry gained a strong fan base outside the United States, especially in Japan, Germany and Belgium. The band became known for their outlandish shows, that frequently showcased a “Star Trek” theme. 21 22 23
After months of touring, tensions in the band grew. In 1997, Brandon Jamison quit the band, leaving Stain the only original member. Jamison was replaced by William “Tokyo Bill” Jacoby and Dirty Laundry recorded and released their last album, Songs to Wash Clothes to, in late 1997. Stain wrote all the original songs on the album, and became the lead vocalist for the group after the departure of Jamison. 24 25 26
Songs to Wash Clothes to did not share the success of Tales from the Laundry Room. The album sold under 5,000 copies, and after months of touring, drummer Ryan Hamilton left the band to pursue college. Jamison once again joined Dirty Laundry, this time as the drummer, but the band eventually called in quits yet again in late 1998. 27 28 29
Stain reformed Dirty Laundry in late 2001 with a completely new line up, but seldom played out of state. After the fatal overdose of their drummer, Stain dissolved the band in 2002. 30 31 32
In 2002, Stain became the fill in bassist for Whitebread when the current bassist could not tour. Shortly after, Whitebread guitarist Jason Coleman and Stain formed Yars Revenge. The band went through various line up changes before making Tad Gurthman and Moe Money permanent members of the group. Yars Revenge released a single album on AAA Records in 2003, and followed with shows to promote the release. (Sources: 33 Interview on The Blaze 1260AM - ASU Radio in 2006)
In mid 2003, the band dismembered, accusing Coleman of fiscal improprieties. 34 35 Stain, Gurthman and Money went on to form Numbers On Napkins and quickly entered the studio with Aaron Carey (Known for his work with Stevie Knicks, Sheryl Crow, Megadeth, etc.). Numbers On Napkins recorded Waiting for Tomorrow and released the album on Bad Stain in 2004. 36 37 The album produced the cult classic “True Love”, which Stain claims he wrote as a joke to his former roommate, and the song was voted the #1 Best Love song of all time at garageband.com, and continues to hold the #1 spot to this date. [http://www.garageband.com/picks/punk?|pe1|asjLBHTXvurfPgXiK2RkAI5Vb0vEZ6p-QYWLn5KTqtrv6g] 38 Their single “Runaway” landed them on various college, internet, and eventually national radio stations throughout the U.S. 39 40
While performing with Numbers On Napkins, Stain also joined a variety of other bands including Forever Falling. Forever Falling recorded their only release in 2004, and released their album titled, The Final Countdown in 2004. Stain departed from Forever Falling to tour with Numbers On Napkins in late 2004 and Forever Falling dismembered shortly after. 41
In 2005, Stain released his first solo album, January. The album was followed just a few months later with his second solo release, February. The albums journeyed out of the punk genre, showing off Stain’s true love of music. Stain did not tour for either release, but played small local venues in AZ, usually unannounced as an acoustic solo act. 42 43
In late 2005, Stain reformed with his old band Dirty Laundry for one show in Phoenix, AZ to promote the re-release of the bands 9 ½ Months album. Various reviews of the show said it was “uninspired” and “disappointing”. (Sources: The College Times, 44 )
After months of touring, Numbers On Napkins recorded their second album, Quickerdrunkenlouderharder, and released the CD on Bad Stain Records in 2006. Stain wrote all but one song for the album, and the CD was best known for there comedic edge with yet another cult classic, “My Girlfriend bit my [...] Off” and the track, “The Last Song”, that journeyed outside the genre of punk, and allowed Stain to experiment with Keyboards, and Synthesizers. 45 The band once again hit the road to promote the release and eventually landed sponsorships from Budweiser, Fender Guitars, and various other clothing companies and tattoo shops. 46 Numbers On Napkins was soon sharing the same stage as fellow punk rock acts like Flogging Molly, Yellowcard, Voodoo Glowskulls, Zebrahead, and fellow Arizona musicians Authority Zero. The band eventually played along side American punk rock pioneers, The Queers. 47 48 After negotiations, the front man for the group, Joe Queer, agreed to produce their next album. 49 50 51
Numbers On Napkins entered the recording studio in 2006 and scheduled studio time between tour schedules and started to record their new album, Borrachos, Chingasos Y Rucas. The band has been recording for the past year off and on, working with Joe Queer via e-mail in most cases, and no release date has been formerly announced. 52 53 54
In early 2007, Stain contracted the AIDS virus and was temporarily unable to tour or perform his duties at the label 55. He shut off all contact to the outside world and wrote and recorded an entire album in 72 hours. According to the insert in the album, Stain claims that he had no contact from the outside world, and that he stayed awake for the entire process of writing, recording, editing and mixing the album. In addition, Stain also claims that during the 72 hour time period, he took a large amount of prescription pain killers & muscle relaxers, along with large quantities of coffee and cigarettes. The album was properly named 72 Hours of Caffeine, Nicotine, Sleep Depravation and Pain, and was released on Bad Stain Records in the summer of 2007.
In a recent blog on Numbers On Napkins official MySpace page 56, Stain claims that up next for Numbers On Napkins is the release of their new album, followed by extensive touring. The band is also scheduled to perform for U.S. troops in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan in early 2008. 57
Business career
While attending high school, Stain created his first business, Dirty Records, as a promotional tool for his band Dirty Laundry. Stain eventually sold the record label to Mike Ball in early 1995, and started his now current record label, Bad Stain Records, along with partners Kris Johnson and Kelly Johnson in 1995. 58 59
Bad Stain Records made little money, and in 1996, Stain bought both shares from the Johnson’s. Over the next few years, Stain signed artists from Phoenix and its surrounding cities. The local bands did little to support the label, and fearing the dissolution of the label, Stain brainstormed ideas with his peers at other independent labels. Eventually Stain started working with other record labels such as Fearless Records, Recess Records, Capitol Records, Lobster Records and more. Bad Stain Records released compilations that featured popular bands like Less Than Jake & At the Drive-In, with recording artists on the label. Stain used the compilations as a marketing tool to introduce bands on the label to a larger audience. (Sources: 60 Valley of the Spun by Mike Wilson, 61)
In 1996 Stain created his first zine, The Punk Rock News and also began writing for Vyzine, a fanzine owned by Dirty Records new owner, Mike Ball. Unfortunately, both fanzines went bankrupt before the end of the year. Stain started a new zine, immediately following the demise of The Punk Rock News called Bad Stain Fanzine. With such a hectic touring schedule, and running his record label, Stain eventually partnered with Mike Ball, making him publisher and Stain demoted himself to Co-Publisher. Bad Stain fanzine quickly became one of the biggest fanzines in Arizona. 62
Stain eventually started signing national bands, and working with more notable studio’s and recording engineers such as Don Fury (Helmet, Glassjaw) and Donnell Cameron (The Offspring, NOFX). (Sources: Inserts from Bad Stain Recording artists United Magnetics and Swallow This) Stain hired a crew of employees, including former owners Kris and Kelly Johnson. 63
In 1999, Bad Stain Fanzine had run its course and stopped the presses. (Source: Valley of the Spun by Mike Wilson) This also came with the recent dissolution of Stain’s band Dirty Laundry, giving him much free time. Stain dabbled as a tattoo artist for a brief while, and eventually started Laundromat Productions. Laundromat Productions was a booking agency that booked touring and local bands at various venues in Arizona. 64
Bad Stain Records was put on hold from 2001 until 2004 while Stain put back the pieces of his life after his divorce. In this time, Stain worked as a foreman for an HVAC company in Phoenix. 65 Once Stain was on his feet again, Stain released albums from his own band, Numbers On Napkins, and his solo project. He eventually signed Mr. Plow, a Canadian act that featured members of the band Fishbone, and the Phoenix based punk band ATM. 66 67
In 2004, Stain put together the first annual Arizona Ska Punk Awards Ceremony. The event showcased over 20 bands performing live, and a variety of guests including promoters, venue owners, recording engineers and label owners in Arizona. Voting was decided by fans, and people would vote at a ballot box at record stores or online. The winning bands received an award, much like the Grammy’s or MTV Music Awards. Stain continued to showcase bands every year at the Awards Ceremony, and gave away awards to both independent bands, and Lifetime Achievement awards to more notable bands in Arizona such as Jimmy Eat World and Authority Zero. Stain’s Booking Agency Laundromat Productions continues to hold the Awards Ceremony each year. 68 69 70 71
In 2005, former head of promotions Kris Johnson was shot in a bar parking lot in Phoenix, AZ. Stain and Moe Money organized two shows through Laundromat Productions that managed to raise over $10,000 for Johnson’s medical bills and lost wages. Although Johnson made a full recovery, he demoted himself from Head of Distribution to Head of Mail Order after the event. (Sources: The College Times, 72 73)
In early 2007, Stain fired all but a handful of his staff at Bad Stain Records. He hired a new team and started fresh. Stain hired close friends and members of his current and former bands. Recently, Matt Martini (known best for his role as guitarist for Stain’s band Numbers On Napkins) began investing in projects on the label and has started to run the booking department for the label. Both Tad Gurthman and Moe Money (from Numbers On Napkins) are part of the label, as is Brandon Jamison (member of Stain’s former band Dirty Laundry). 74
Stain continues to run Bad Stain Records as the current President for the label. He also continues to help run Laundromat Productions, although he has stated that he now has a small role in the company due to his busy schedule. In addition, as of 2006, Stain became partner of a wholesale jewelry and southwestern art business called Hawk Distribution. The business is owned and operated by Stain, his father (who has started the company since 1976) and his older brother. 75 76
Discography and credits
Bands and Solo Releases Discography:
Dirty Laundry - 9 ½ Months (1994)
Dirty Laundry - All Washed Up (1995)
Dirty Laundry - Jiz Mac Attack in the Butt Crack (1996)
Dirty Laundry - Tales from the Laundry Room (1996)
Dirty Laundry - Re-Elect Nixon (1996)
Dirty Laundry - Songs to Wash Clothes to… (1997)
Yar’s Revenge - 4 Songs (2003)
Forever Falling - The Final Countdown (2004)
Numbers On Napkins - Waiting for Tomorrow (2004)
Chase Stain - January (2005)
Chase Stain - February (2005)
Numbers On Napkins - Quickerdrunkenlouderharder (2006)
Chase Stain - 72 Hours of Caffeine, Nicotine, Sleep Depravation and Pain (2007)
Numbers On Napkins - Borrachos, Chingasos Y Rucas (in progress)
Compilations Discography:
Dirty Laundry - Wild Turkey…..Vol. 1 (1996)
Dirty Laundry - Wild Turkey…..Vol. 2 (1996)
Dirty Laundry - Wild Turkey….Vol. 4 (1997)
Dirty Laundry - Valley of the Spun (1997)
Dirty Laundry - Punk til ya Puke (1997)
Dirty Laundry - Being in a band doesn’t really get you girls (1997)
Dirty Laundry - Punk til ya Poop (1998)
Dirty Laundry - Denver Versus Phoenix (1998)
Dirty Laundry - Holy Gobstoppers Batman… (1998)
Dirty Laundry - Punk til ya Pass Out (1999)
Dirty Laundry - Listen Up! (2000)
Dirty Laundry - Better off Punk (2000)
Dirty Laundry - Punk til ya Promote (2001)
Yar’s Revenge - AZPunk.comp Vol. 1 (2002)
Numbers On Napkins - The Bad [...] Free CD (2005)
Chase Stain/Numbers On Napkins - An Acrustic Age Vol. 2 (2006)
Numbers On Napkins - If it Ain’t Broke, Hit it Harder (2006)
Numbers On Napkins - AZPunk.comp Vol. 5 (2006)
Film Credits:
The Brother Lovely’s Show (1996)
The History of the West Side Weasels (2005)
Producer Credits:
Dirty Laundry - 9 ½ Months (Co-Producer, 1994)
Dirty Laundry - All Washed Up (1995)
Dirty Laundry - Tales from the Laundry Room (Co-Producer, 1996)
Corrupt Citizen - Phat as Phuck (1996)
Dirty Laundry - Re-Elect Nixon (1996)
Subject Mad - Mad in the U.S.A. (1997)
Dirty Laundry - Songs to Wash Clothes To (1997)
Swallow This - Mr. T Versus Godzilla (1998)
Swallow This - Tell Me Vision (1999)
Numbers On Napkins - Waiting for Tomorrow (Co-Producer, 2004)
Chase Stain - January (2005)
Chase Stain - February (2005)
The History of the West Side Weasels (2005)
Numbers On Napkins - Quickerdrunkenlouderharder (Co-Producer, 2006)
Chase Stain - 72 Hours of Caffeine, Nicotine, Sleep Depravation and Pain (2007)
Three Chord Mafia - Untitled (in progress)
Writer Credits:
The Ostrich that Never Learned to Fly (1995)
Riddles and Rhymes (1996)
Punk Rock News (1996)
Vy-zine (1996)
Bad Stain Fanzine (1996-1999)
Maximum Rock N’ Roll (1998)
Punk Planet (1998)
Unspeakable Thoughts Fanzine (1998-2001)
References and sources
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/music/articles/0331beat31.html
http://www.badstainrecords.com/chasejourney
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/.../music/bad-stain-records-10-year-anniversary
http://www.garageband.com/picks/punk?|pe1|asjLBHTXvurfPgXiK2RkAI5Vb0vEZ6p-QYWLn5KTqtrv6g
http://www3.bandspace.com/bands/4329/about.php
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2006-07-27/music/numbers-on-napkins/
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2005-09-15/music/kris-johnson-benefit-show/
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2004-02-26/calendar/reel-time/
http://www.visitphoenix.com/calendar/index.cfm?action=showDetail&eventID=5332
http://www.punknews.org/article/19415
http://www.badstainrecords.com/chasestain
http://www.badstainrecords.com/dirtylaundry
http://www.badstainrecords.com/non
http://www.garageband.com/chasestain
http://www.garageband.com/numbersonnapkins
http://www.myspace.com/chasestain
http://www.myspace.com/badstainrecords
http://www.myspace.com/numbersonnapkins
http://www.myspace.com/dirtylaundry
http://www.hawkdistribution.com
http://www.badstainrecords.com
http://www.purevolume.com/numbersonnapkins
Arizona Republic (March 31st, 2005)
The College Times (September, 2005)
Phoenix New Times (Various articles in 2004-2007)
Maximum Rock N’ Roll (March, 2000)
Punk Rock Tribune (2006)
S.L.A.M. - Support Local Art & Music (2006)
Bohemia Visual Music, Channel 44 - Phoenix, AZ (August, 2005)
The Brother Lovely’s Show (1996)
The Blaze - ASU College (2006)
Punk Planet (2000)
Unfit to Print (March, 2007)
Drunks and Punks (2007)
Zia Zine (October, 2006)
"Valley of the Spun" by Mike Wilson (2001)
"The History of the West Side Weasels" - DVD (2005)
Bad Stain Fanzine:
- Issues #1-4, 6-7, 9-12.
Unspeakable Thoughts Fanzine:
- Issues #2-3, 5-6, 8-9, 19, 23.
External links
Chase Stain Official Website:
Chase Stain Official MySpace Page:
Bad Stain Records Official Website:
Numbers On Napkins Official Website:
Dirty Laundry Official Website: