A few of the advantages of getting your very own wheels are generally obvious: you are able to determine the actual course of your entire day, your week or your entire vacation, rather than always be limited to taxi times or bus schedules. Possessing a vehicle will help you to discover lesser-visited areas that numerous travelers overlook and can provide you with the independence to switch your plans in case something pops up. And furthermore just who does not like controlling the radio stations on a journey?
Nonetheless, traveling within Costa Rica isn't easy. The roads may be long, curvy and in bad condition. Traffic is usually poor within metropolitan areas or even on mountainous roadways, and also signs are often non-existent. It really is easy to get lost (specifically any time you do not have GPS NAVIGATION or top quality roadmaps) it is difficult to get back on the right track when you are not comfy dealing with instructions from a local speaking The Spanish language. There are many points to consider likewise, such as traffic laws, the cost of fuel, as well as traveling time.
Leasing a vehicle is generally not really suggested for first time visitors to Costa Rica-the trouble as well as possibility of stress and confusion is generally not really worth the time and effort. Nonetheless, travelers which are adventurous enough and have been to the country before might want to think about leasing a vehicle. If you're still on board, continue reading.
What to Lease
The kind of vehicle you select depends upon whatever you plan to do on your vacation. If you're going to be traveling in the mountains, along countryside roadways, or even in some seaside regions, you will need some sort of four-wheel drive automobile. Consider leasing a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle in the event you are going to be going to any of the following areas: The Nicoya Peninsula, Monteverde, Rincón de La Vieja, the La Paz Waterfall, Bajos del Toro, the south Pacific, the Osa Peninsula, and several locations along the Caribbean coastline. A number of these roadways have potholes as well as stream crossings, and need vehicles with large clearance-so it is almost impossible traveling these types of routes without an SUV.
One can find both compact and full-size SUV options available. Compact SUVs tend to be smaller, possess lower clearance, and get far better gas mileage. They can fit 4 to 5 individuals and are available in both two door and four door options. Full-size SUVs tend to be larger and much more powerful. They have got much better ground clearance, a more powerful motor, and much more interior space. Because of this, they may be more suitable on bad roadways or when traveling in big groups. The majority of full-size SUVs have 4 doors and will seat between 4 and 7 individuals; they also include trucks. On the other hand, because of their higher center of gravity, full-size SUVs have a greater chance of tipping-take particular care while driving around corners.
If you're thinking about keeping along relatively well travelled routes, a compact or full-size vehicle is going to be fine. Coastal locations within the central and north Pacific suit more compact cars, as are many areas between the Caribbean coast and the northern lowlands. The roadways around the Arenal Volcano are appropriate for this type of vehicle as well. These types of vehicles have two-wheel drive and they are not really ideal for rough roadways.
Compact cars will be the smallest, most affordable choice. Quite often they may be hatch backs, although some are sedans too. Full-size cars tend to be bigger than compacts. These are typically passenger sedans and also have bigger motors. As a result, they get somewhat worse fuel consumption. Full-size cars tend to be more spacious and better for groups with a lot of baggage.
One more choice is vans. Vans are the biggest, most roomy vehicle and they are ideal for large groups. Vans ought to be utilized in the same areas as a small or even full-size car. The majority are two-wheel drive and also have very poor all terrain capabilities. They will generally seat as many as 12 individuals and also are available in 3 or 4 door options. Vans have a tendency to get lower gas mileage and just like full-size SUVs, possess a higher possibility of tipping because of their size.
All rented vehicles include basic features, such as air conditioning, power steering, power windows/locks, dual airbags, along with a COMPACT DISC player/radio. Manual and automatic options are available in every category. Rental cars likewise usually include a safety kit for accidents and flat tires. This consists of jumper cables, rope, a flat tire kit, road triangles, and a fire extinguisher.
One preferred - and much suggested - gadget to add to your vehicle rental is GPS NAVIGATION. Costa Rica's roadways tend to be curvy, complicated, and frequently without having real street signs. Because of this, it is quite easy to get lost when you do not have an up-to-date map or GPS unit. A GPS device will save you time and a world of problems. They can be included in your car for around $10 USD per day and generally require a deposit of around $450 USD.
We recommended utilizing the GPS unit that the car rental business offers instead of downloading something through the Internet-by doing so, you will be aware of new routes as well as the latest changes in roadways. One more thing to bear in mind: a number of places within Costa Rica have exactly the same name, which often can get complicated. Because of this, if you already know just where you will be heading (destinations or hotels) when you pick-up your vehicle, have the leasing agency save the locations in to the GPS DEVICE. This will likely save the headache of arriving at the wrong destination.
A great way to supplement GPS NAVIGATION is by using the (Waze) app. Travelers which has a smart phone and global data plan can easily download this community-based traffic and navigation application to have current information about roads, routes, mishaps, traffic jams, construction, and much more. (Waze) will, however, need an Internet connection to initially map out routes as well as obstructions. This is why, many of us suggest using (Waze) in order to chart your route whilst still at the hotel or even before you begin driving-once you no longer have Internet, your routes will be stored. A few parts of Costa Rica do, however, lack Access to the internet, therefore it is recommended to make use of (Waze) as a supplemental navigational system to your car's GPS DEVICE.
Visitors may also purchase as well as rent road maps through the majority of car rental agencies.
Local Rental Policies
Prior to leasing a vehicle, it's a wise decision to read up on the actual leasing policies. That way you will not get whacked by having an unforeseen fine or have impractical ideas as to what the actual deposit procedure is like. The subsequent section consists of information on insurance coverage, deposits, penalties, and rental periods.
Travelers to Costa Rica require a driver's license from their home nation in order to lease a vehicle. Tourists are usually permitted to lease a vehicle for as much as Ninety days. After 90 days, you need to obtain a Costa Rica driver's license.
Additionally, there are supplemental full coverage insurance policy options which can be purchased along with the required insurance coverage. These are more costly, but deal with the majority of situations, possess an increased amount of protection, and may even have zero deductible. Several also include 24-hour roadside assistance. Once again, the amount you pay depends upon the kind of automobile you lease.
Prior to leaving for Costa Rica, review your personal car insurance policy. To begin with, figure out if you are protected in another country. If you are, find out if your coverage extends to all individuals driving the vehicle and just how much liability is actually covered in case a 3rd party is injured. Additionally find out if the kind of vehicle you will lease in Costa Rica is actually covered in your agreement.
Whenever you lease a vehicle, you will additionally be asked to place a deposit. Typically, this runs from $700 to $1,500 USD and depends upon the kind of insurance coverage the customer selects. The leasing agency places a hold for this amount on your charge card and releases it once you return the vehicle and GPS device in good, working condition. The actual deposit is not really released immediately, however, but instead requires close to 3-4 weeks to be placed back on your charge card.
In the event that a car accident does happen, your deposit will be kept while your case goes to court. Once a judge has made the decision the final verdict, your deposit can either be returned or go towards paying for the actual car's damage.
There are various circumstances that could result in a fine from the leasing agency. These include returning the vehicle with less fuel than it was initially rented with, returning the vehicle late, or returning the vehicle to a location other than originally agreed upon. Concerning the second point, rental times are defined very rigidly - 1 day of rental actually means 24 hours. For instance, if you lease a vehicle for just one day and you get it at 8 AM, it must be returned by 8 AM the next day. Failing to do this will result in a fine.
Driving Conditions
Driving within Costa Rica is not like driving within North America or even Europe. Inside the span of a day, you are able to journey along winding mountainous roadways, countryside gravel routes, or even picturesque coastal byways. The country's distinctive geography - of mountain tops, volcanoes, valleys, plains, and shorelines - can make for a demanding road system. Prior to heading off on a journey, consider where you will be heading and what you will be traveling through.
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Costa Rica driving conditions can easily toss you for a loop if you're not really prepared. Learning about the road conditions provide you with a good idea of what to prepare for. Costa Rica driving conditions differ from one place to another. Around cities such as San José, you will find large, multi-lane freeways with smooth highways. The farther you get from the developed area, however, the poorer the street conditions are apt to be. Because of Costa Rica's mountainous landscape, several roads tend to be two-lane as well as windy. They will curve up, down, and around mountains. Along roads such as these, is not unusual for big 18 wheelers to go very slow and get traffic stack up behind them. That is why, going a relatively short distance may take a lot longer than anticipated.
A few roadways lack guard rails and also have steep drops along either other side. Others are pockmarked with potholes or have recently been washed out entirely by a landslide. Without a doubt, the rainy season wreaks havoc on Costa Rica's roads-landslides, flooding, as well as erosion aren't unusual. In numerous countryside areas, gravel or dirt roads are the norm. These can be quite difficult and may require stream crossings. For that reason, it may be necessary to have a four-wheel drive automobile in several parts of the country.
Two-lane roads frequently narrow in to single lanes over bridges-in this case, motorists must yield (ceda) to drivers with the right of way. The reflective paint separating lanes or lining the actual roadways may be faded or non-existent, which can make driving hazardous, particularly at nighttime. Signs in Costa Rica tend to be equally hit or miss. Along well-traveled tourist routes (as an example, in Manuel Antonio), the signs are very well placed, easy to understand, and informative. On the other hand, in many parts of the country, signs are usually either lacking or simply completely missing. It is very easy to get lost, particularly without GPS.
Recommendations and Safeguards
If you read the prior section, you will have a good idea of how hard it is to drive in Costa Rica. The following segment can instruct you on the most useful methods to prevent accidents, fines, and aggravation.
The best way to prevent all three things is by using GPS DEVICE. These devices may be leased for a reasonably small fee (around $10 USD per day) when you pick-up your vehicle. Frequently, the GPS DEVICE will be attached to the dashboard of your vehicle and is also easy to see whilst driving. They are hands-free and can inform you when to turn and what to expect. They are able to help you plan routes, calculate distances as well as arrival times, as well as locate the closest gasoline stations. GPS is without a doubt necessary for navigating Costa Rica's road system.
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As a supplement to GPS, travelers with cell phones and an international data plan can easily download apps such as (Waze), which help chart roads, routes, accidents, construction, and more. It's a great way to get a 2nd opinion on wherever you are heading. It does, nevertheless, need Internet access-fire it up and enter your destination before venturing leaving behind your hotel. Many of us also recommend travelers to have actual physical roadmaps in a vehicle at the same time. These may be leased or bought from the majority of auto leasing agencies.
If you do get lost, it will likely be useful to know at least a few words of The Spanish language. You might drive through rural places that people don't understand much English, therefore being able to ask for the highway or hotel will be important. Buy a basic Spanish phrasebook and take it along with you. Practice your pronunciation in the car for fun. You will be pleased you did in case you wind up dead lost in the middle of nowhere.
Costa Rica is a difficult place to drive in during the day. During the night, it is even more difficult. Road signs (which are already substandard in some places) can be difficult to see in the dark, it's common to go by the road or hotel you were searching for several times. Roads may also have inadequate reflectors between lanes or lining the side of the road, and very often have very little room to pass. People sometimes walk close to the edge as well, which means you will need to exercise much more caution whilst driving during the night.
It's also good to pay attention to the availability of emergency services. Outside of San José, both vehicular and medical emergency services may be minimal. The nearer you might be to a sizeable township, the greater the chances are of being able to get towing, mechanical, or medical help. Over the Inter American Highway, normally, this is not an issue. Major towns and tourist destinations - like Liberia, Puntarenas, Golfito, Quepos, and Palmar - all have clinics or hospitals. Having said that, in more remote locations, it might be difficult to get your vehicle towed and fixed or get an ambulance to a hospital.
If you do have a car accident, call the National Insurance Institute (INS) at 800/800-8000, as well as the Transit Police at 2222-9330 or 2222-9245. You can also contact 911 and get rerouted to whatever agency you need. If there is a police officer close by, they will show up and prepare a report, which will help facilitate your insurance claim. Officers can sometimes be unhelpful toward tourists that they perceive as being rich as well as reckless. Speaking Spanish will help, as will being kind and patient.
In case your car breaks down, pull it alongside the road if at all possible. Your trunk should have reflecting triangles that you can place behind your automobile in order to alert approaching traffic. Contact emergency services and wait until they get there. Some types of rental insurance covers breakdowns and also have roadside assistance; a few do not. Make sure to look at your policy prior to leaving the rental office.
https://www.wikipedia.org
Although Costa Rica is comparatively small, the driving time between destinations may be long. Once again, this is mostly a direct result the country's poor road system. With this in mind, it is recommended to plan on trips taking more time than you might have expected. Generally speaking, expect to travel at a rate of 50 km/h (31 mph). As an example, if you need to drive 250 kilometers (155 mi.), you need to plan on it taking around 5 hours. And remember, Costa Rica utilizes kilometers, not miles. One kilometer equates to 0.62 mile
Costa Rica is really a friendly country, however you may still find thefts. Because of this, at all times secure your vehicle whenever it is parked and steer clear of leaving behind valuables inside. If a camera, handbag or wallet is sitting on the seat, you are encouraging thieves to break in and take your belongings. Within large metropolitan areas such as San José, Alajuela, Limón and Puntarenas this is especially true. When parking in these metropolitan areas, attempt to leave your vehicle in a secure lot with an attendant. Rural areas can, nevertheless, encounter break-ins as well-lock your vehicle and leave expensive or important items at your hotel. As with most things, if you exercise sound judgment and care, you ought to be fine.
Gas stations - known as bombas or gasolineras - can be found all through Costa Rica. Gasoline is sold as "regular" and "super," both of which are unleaded. Super offers higher octane than regular, and diesel is generally offered as well. The majority of rented vehicles take super, however ask someone at the rental office to make certain. Gas stations are full-service; attendants fill up your tank for you. Gas much more expensive than in the U.S. - a gallon (3.8 liters) usually goes for about $6 USD.
Gas stations are located in nearly every town, however there are parts of the country where they are sparser. For instance, the south Pacific, south Caribbean, Nicoya Peninsula, and areas close to the border with Nicaragua. If you're going to be planning a trip to any of these areas, fill up your tank at the start of the day. The majority of GPS devices have applications which show you nearby gas stations. If you find yourself running low in an area which lacks a gas station, look for small, local operations. Generally these will be out of someone's home or even business and have hand-written signs that say gasolina.
Familiarizing yourself with Costa Rica's traffic laws will save you time, cash, along with a painfully slow legal process. A lot of Costa Rica's driving laws are similar to the U.S. and they are easy to follow. Even so, there are a few that travelers should become aware of. By way of example, cameras that take pictures of speeding vehicles have been recently placed along highways. The cameras automatically issue tickets which range from $300-$600 USD. Once you return your vehicle, the rental car company retains your deposit till they have confirmed you have no pending tickets. If you do have a ticket, you are going to lose a portion of your deposit. Because of this, we suggest that potential drivers review our segment on Costa Rica driving laws, which follows.
Your journey ought to be enjoyable. Stop to take pictures and eat at roadside eating places. Discover new roads to the coast or even go exploring along a countryside road. There is certainly a lot to consider while driving in Costa Rica, but don't allow it to eclipse the key reason why you rented a car in the first place: to have the independence to come across brand new places and people on the way.
Driving Laws as well as Penalties
The very last thing anybody wants to handle while on vacation is a traffic ticket (or even worse, jail). Costa Rica's driving laws are practical and straightforward. When you exercise caution and drive wisely, you will be fine. The next items can help you understand Costa Rica's most relevant driving laws.
Motorists as well as passengers are required to wear a seatbelt and motor cyclists must wear helmets. The fine for not doing this is approximately $185.
· Driving faster than 120 km/h (75 mph) or 20 km/h (12 mph) over the speed limit is considered speeding. In addition to highway law enforcement with radar, you will find cameras positioned around the country which report license plate numbers to police/rental car agencies. The fine is around $617. A speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph) can lead to imprisonment.
· Talking or even texting on your cell phone is not permitted whilst driving. The fine is around $550.
· Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is taken seriously. Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in between 0.50 and 0.74 is recognized as under the influence. The fine is around $550. Driving with a BAC higher than 0.75 will lead to prison.
· Making a U-turn where one is prohibited can lead to a fine of around $550.
· Running a red light or stop sign can lead to a fine of around $372.
· A current driver's license from your home country is required and you may only drive with a foreign driver's license for 3 months. Driving without your driver's license (or with one for longer than three months) can lead to a fine of approximately $93.
· Yellow lines represent areas where you are not permitted to pass. Passing in such areas (or along curves) can lead to a fine of approximately $550.
· Passing on the right is not allowed. The fine is around $200.
· Child's seats are required for children under 12 or smaller than 1.45 meters (4' 9"). Children not utilizing a child seat can lead to a fine of approximately $372.
· Carrying excess passengers may result in a fine of approximately $160.
· Driving on the beach is not allowed. The fine is approximately $200.
· San José has a rotating ban on rush-hour traffic, with the goal of decreasing congestion and fuel usage. The ban bars certain license plate numbers from driving throughout certain times of the day - Monday through Friday from 7 to 8:30 AM and from 4 to 5:30 PM. Cars with license plates ending in the digits 1 or 2 are prohibited on Monday; 3 or 4 on Tuesday; 5 or 6 on Wednesday; 7 or 8 on Thursday; and 9 or 0 on Friday. If you are found driving a car with a restricted license plate within the central section of San José on these days/hours, you will be ticketed.
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From this article you can see, Costa Rica's driving laws resemble most other countries. The key items to keep in mind include wearing a seatbelt, having your driver's license handy, not speeding, not talking on the phone, not driving drunk, and always utilizing a child's seat for the kids under the age of 12. By familiarizing yourself with these laws and being a cautious, defensive driver, you ought not have any legal difficulties while driving in Costa Rica.
In summary
Leasing a vehicle in Costa Rica has the potential to create an extremely special trip for travelers. It is possible to seek out little-known areas, stop when you wish, and create your personal adventure from day one. All the same, driving in Costa Rica is serious. Road conditions can be difficult as well as driving times can be long. Prior to getting behind the wheel, consider what it requires and just how you want your trip to unfold. Your experience in Costa Rica is going to be amazing regardless of what course you steer.When most people think of rock artists to come out of Canada, the obvious ones come to mind, Bryan Adams, Triumph, April Wine and more recently Nickleback. But back in the early 1980s there was Coney Hatch, these boys could have been anything, they released three wonderful albums between 1982 - 1985, but sadly did not get the support from their record company that they should have, they were dumped and faded into the pages of rock history. Their lead singer Carl Dixon would go on to pursue solo efforts and a stint with The Guess Who, but in 2008 found media coverage for all the wrong reasons. Dixon would be involved in a horrific car accident and there were doubts he would survive, let alone perform again. But Dixon did survive and a few years later would re-join his Coney Hatch band mates on stage, from there the band has been busy working on a brand new record titled Four. I had the pleasure of speaking to Carl Dixon about his career, the accident, the music industry and the new album Four.
Rock Man: Can you tell me about your musical upbringing, when did you discover a passion for music and who were your early influences?
Carl Dixon: Well, I was three years old when I started playing by ear on the piano and my parents decided they better get me in for lessons, so I began that when I was four, all the conservatory training and all that, and stuck with that until I was nine or ten years old. That was the 60s and of course The Beatles, The Stones, Credence Clearwater Revival and all the 60s acts and the Top 40 AM radio was getting more and more rock n' roll as time went by, the peak that I was really turned on by music was around 1969/1970, that era, when really the first wave of big rock bands came down the pike. So I started to emulate and wanted to be like those guys and I really felt the appeal and the, I suppose the freedom in the sound and the power of it and the catchiness of it, I like a good melody [laughs], so that is what started me really getting involved. And I got involved with guitar when I was ten, I did not want to play the piano anymore, I did not think piano rocked [laughs] there weren't a lot of piano role models at that time, so I switched to guitar, hated it, switched to drums, really liked that, I still play drums, and then I came back to guitar because I was asked to join a band to be the singer but they needed me to play guitar. So I brushed up on my three chords that I did remember, kept practising after that and stuck with it all these years since.
RM: You were once dubbed the loudest band in Toronto, now that the band is back together, have you proudly reclaimed that title?
CD: Um... no. You know what, there is no way you could be the loudest of anything anymore, the technology has changed and we do not want to be crushingly loud. We are still a pretty punishingly loud rock band but we do not go after being the loudest for its own sake, whatever it takes to make the music sound powerful and big, that is where we set the amps.
RM: Congratulations on the release of the new Coney Hatch album Four, I am assuming it is a safe bet you never thought you would be position to say there is a new Coney Hatch record out, you must be so very proud of this effort?
CD: You are right. All of us were sitting on the memories of a long time ago, some of the nice things and some of the difficult things and the lessons we learned, it was a most improbable outcome for us to be making a record all these years later, but we are very happy with how it turned out and very proud of it.
RM: The first single is Blown Away, what has been the reaction to that track by members of the press and your loyal fan base?
CD: People are loving it. Both in the press and radio people we have spoken to and the fan base that have seen, they heard the sample first on the pre-release video from Frontiers Records and then we have just also put a full production video on YouTube, eight or ten days ago, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive and it is growing into the many thousands by now after a week or so.
RM: I have seen the music video for Blown Away, the first thing that was very noticeable to me is that everyone in the band looks genuinely happy to be there and playing again, and I think that attitude shines through on the album as well, was that the case?
CD: It sure was, even though the band broke up we stayed friends and did things together occasionally over the years. Andy Curran (bass) and I played a lot of ice hockey together [laughs] through the 90s and we stayed very close friends and he was a real supporter of me in my time of need. So we always had a good feeling among the four of us, it began that way in the old days and various immaturity, I think, in several categories led to the band splitting up or changing. But we are all older and wiser now and we really cherish what we have together.
RM: This album is full of great, positive, fun tracks such as Blown Away, Down & Dirty, Marseilles and Keep Driving, but Revive has something more to say, can you tell me about that track?
CD: Yes, Revive, Andy had the music track idea to begin with, that he ran by me, and I just felt that feeling in the music just slightly melancholy or reflective, wishful perhaps, and I really started to think about the poisonous political climate that is in the air today and the really polarizing effect that constant media has on people. It seem so easy for people to get divided into firm camps, us against them, with no compromise possible, no middle ground where they can agree to just move forward happily, everything has to turn into a fight. And that lyric in Revive is a plea for a little more understanding and compromise to just tone it down and let the energy become more positive in the world. Also thinking about in Europe and the nations having all the debt crisis and all the people out of work and being faced with huge change and upheaval, so that really. But certainly the atmosphere from the United States their log jam in their politics effects the whole world, so it is really noticeable to all of us, and of course here in Canada we live right next door to them.
RM: Another favourite of mine is Connected, this is an interesting track because while it is definitely a Coney Hatch song, I think it has shades of Night Ranger and Cheap Trick in it, what do you think?
CD: [Laughs] That is interesting, those are, Cheap Trick in particularly is a favourite of Andy's. We had the basic idea of that song, the chord changes, way back at the time we made the first Coney Hatch album, our producer at the time Kim Mitchell suggested we change up the tempo and slice it up a little bit and that is what we used as our starting point to return to that song now, all these years later. The lyrics are newly written by Andy and the chorus is a whole, the idea was to make it energetic and punchy, to match the energy of the opening, the really high charged energy that has. So really, I guess, when you are building a song in that way, you are trying to be true to the spirit of where it came from, the initial energy that triggered it, you know.
RM: During the period 1982 - 1985 you released three brilliant albums, Coney Hatch, Outa Hand and Friction, what do you recall about making those records and those days?
CD: Well, it was very exciting. We were all very young, I think I was 21 or 22 when we signed our international record deal and it was the first record deal for any of us. We really fed of the energy of one another and because we had connected management with SRO, who are Rush's managers all these years, we found ourselves on some great big name tours to support our albums right out of the gate. So we got a big tour with Judas Priest and the next year with Iron Maiden and on the Friction album we were out with Krokus and Accept and some other people and a lot of one offs, with different acts that we learned so much from and it was just a thrill. And it is amazing how quickly you can start to feel like you belong there, like, "yes, naturally we are now playing the big arenas", it suddenly seems like it makes all the sense in the world and you get very used to it but at the same time constantly thrill by it. It was definitely a motivator for us at the same time a bit intimidating, it created pressure, I think, that we put on ourselves, that we have got to keep being great or we are going to blow this great thing we have walked into. So I know with the Friction album we put enormous pressure on ourselves that it had to succeed and take us to the next level or else we would be in trouble with the record companies, and so it proved. For a number of reasons, the record did not perform to expectations in sales and we did end up in trouble with the label, but the energy around the band was very powerful, especially the writing partnership between Andy and I, it was a great education it was like going to university and graduating with a nice diploma at the end of it.
RM: Is there any one lesson that you learnt from doing those big arena tours?
CD: I recall the biggest step to a higher level we saw was when we began the Judas Priest tour. They were doing the Screaming For Vengeance Tour in 82 and we saw for the first time what it was like, we did 25 shows with them, I think, we saw what it was like for big time bands to go out there and deliver it in a high level with a polished show night after night after night, with no let down and being aware of how to work with the fans and create a flow to the show with some high points and excitement. It was a huge education for us, because prior to that we were really, mostly a bar band and small concerts in high schools and that kind of thing, we really had no experience before that, except going to see other peoples concerts and of course, it looks a lot different when you see it night after night after night. That is the illusion that every band tries to create for the fans, that you are seeing this magic thing that only happens the once, in that special way and really the great bands make it look special 50 nights in a row.
RM: The support, or lack thereof, from the record label at the time must have been very disappointing?
CD: Yes it was all the difference between whether we carried on or not. We had sacrificed a great deal to make the Friction album, individually and as a group, living on very little money during the time we were making that album and being positioned that it better succeed and then everything will pay off if you make the best album you possible can. We came out of the gates to a label that did not really, they put us second place to Bon Jovi at that time, which they did not make a bad bet, Bon Jovi went through the roof as we all know, but that was the Slippery When Wet album that they were starting to put against us and we were no longer a priority. And there was some backlash at the time about the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Centre), the Tipper Gore political movement, where they were trying to politicize heavy music and say it caused children to commit suicide, so radio started to get really cautious about playing anything too heavy, even though Friction had some of our nicest commercial songs, it was a real up hill battle. We did not know that we were doing better in Europe than anywhere else, no one told us that at the time, so that was a real surprise and in retrospect kind of disappointing that no one had told us that some place the album had done well and we could feel good about that. It was not until we came to Firefest in 2011 that we started to learn, well actually, the Friction album has out sold our other albums by far in Europe and England. So that might have made the difference in giving us more hope to keep together.
RM: If I can take you back to Melbourne, April 14th 2008, a tragic day for you, you were involved in an horrific car accident, can you talk me through what happened and more importantly, how did you survive?
CD: Right, what happened that night was that I was visiting Australia to see my wife and daughter, my daughter who was 12 at the time, was starring in a TV show called The Saddle Club, which was a show about girls and horses and having fun at a little club. So my daughter was one of the stars, I was down there visiting and I was also working on music for the show, for the kids to sing, as one of the off shoots, from the television production and also recording guitars for the theme song. I was on my way home, got lost, got very uptight because it was one of the rare visits I was permitted with my family, I was touring with The Guess Who at the time, I was the singer, and had hardly seen my wife and daughter all through the previous six months. So I got very upset, forgot to pay attention to my surroundings and I forgot for one minute that they drive on the other side of the road in Australia, so my faults are in attention and had a head on crash. I was in a little Toyota Corolla, the other vehicle was a big Jeep/Landcruiser or something, because of the larger size his wheels went right up the hood and over the roof of my car at an angle and crushed it all down on me. I was terribly injured and probably should have died from blood loss, in the car before they could even get me out, I was suck in there for an hour and forty five minutes while they tried to get me out. So luckily they have amazing doctors and medical system in the state of Victoria in Australia, I was helicoptered to the hospital in Melbourne and the trauma unit where they went to work on me, saving everything basically, that could possibly be fixed. And the concern was if I would even survive the night, brain damage to the extent that I could be a vegetable was one of the prognosis, double amputation, could be quadriplegic, blindness, all kinds of terrible things. Luckily I was saved by their efforts to the extent that I have a bit of a limp on one leg, because of a bone graph and metal holding it together and the other leg has metal holding it together and my guitar strumming hand, my arm, was badly mangled and they were going to amputate that but instead they put some metal in there and stuck it back together the best they could. I did loose one of my eyes, so that was a partial blindness, I definitely had some after effects from the head blow for a long time and probably still do. But I am not a quadriplegic and not a vegetable, I have returned to life and performing music, perhaps with more conviction than ever before.
RM: The recovery period must have been difficult, is that still an ongoing process or is the worst behind you?
CD: The worst is behind me, there are things that I just had to learn to live with that are not going to get much better. I will never run again [laughs], I used to be, one of the reasons I survived was I was a dedicated fitness and sports athletics guy all my life, never smoked, never touched drugs, hardly drank. So the doctors in Australia said that was the only reason I survived. But on the other hand, I have made adjustments to some things I can continue to enjoy in life, even with my reduced physical prowess and the future looks bright.
RM: Since the accident you have been back to Australia to meet with the people who helped save your life on that terrible night, what were your feelings when you returned and caught up with them?
CD: I was in absolute awe of the courage they showed and the generosity of compassion, that they saw me in trouble there, they did anything they could, anything which they were capable to try and help me survive and get through that terrible night. So I will always be living my life in gratitude for those people in that moment of crisis.
RM: Given all that has happened with the car accident, do you view the band being back together as a second chance at pursuing the initial dream for this band?
CD: You know, I think the dream has changed just because as we mature and gain wisdom and experience in life our view of what is important changes. At one time it would have been our focus to just keep making more albums until we got as big as Judas Priest, as big as Iron Maiden, as big as whoever you can think of, that just seemed like the logical thing that you do when you get a record deal, you climb ladders step by step when you are a big star. Now we have a different out look and that really is, partly, due to the change in the music business as well, it is not what it once was, there is not ladder really that you climb anymore step by step, the structure is dynamite to what the music industry once looked like. Also we are all involved in different things in our own lives and Coney Hatch has to fit into what the four of us can manage collectively, a couple of the guys have regular jobs, they have to take days off work or holiday time to be able to do a tour. So those are real factors that make us choose selectively what we can do to support the album and also what we can expect out of it. What we hope for is lots and lots of people like it and want to own it and that the music grows a new and larger audience and perhaps we can get to do some great shows, some travel and make another album if enough people like this one.
RM: Can you tell me about the state of the music industry in Canada at the moment, is there a healthy market for rock, hard rock, metal acts or is it dominated by the big Top 40/commercial machine like everywhere else?
CD: It is pretty much the same as everywhere else, we are a reflection of what the U.S. is, except with our own batch of home made acts that fit in to a category of Canadian content. And certainly there is a Canadian sound that the European's and the U.K. like a lot in Canadian rock, but there is not much new that sounds like that anymore. It is really the old bands that are still alive from that era (laughs) that are able to make that sound that everybody likes so much of Canadian rock. I would say it is kind of a 'do it yourself' kind of industry now, more than ever and the marvel to us is under those conditions we did get a nice offer to an album under Frontiers Records, to get a record deal in this day and age for a band that has been away for 28 years is astounding.
RM: Over the years you would have witnessed many changes in the music industry, what do you think has had the biggest effect?
CD: I think it is a toss up between the CD, which was the first foray into digital conveying of music, because what happened with that is the labels had a new device that was doing the same job as the old one but they could charge a lot more money for it. So huge amounts of cash were flowing through the major record labels in the 90s, and kids started to rebel against the apparent greed of it and we all heard the complaint, I'm sure, buy a full album and get charged $16/$18 for it on a CD and then have one good song. The rise of the internet and ingenious young people who understood the internet and who wanted to get around the high cost of having music worked, obviously, against the labels interests. Because the labels had created this culture where music was a necessary part of young people's lifestyle, it became your identity, what your favourite music was, who you supported, which artists you played at a party and that meant something to you. But the kids could not afford it so they found a way to create their identity by getting around paying for it, so as soon as it became possible to get the music for free a lot of young people then lost the feeling they should ever pay for music. I think they began to feel like it should be like turning on the TV, we do not pay out $15 every time we turn on a TV show, right? and I think that is where the culture has lost, it has become so divorced from a feeling of value attached to music and music products. To me the real shame in it all is that we now have, we do not have the ability for people to have a music career in the same way, if you cannot afford to stay in music you cannot do it as much, only in the doing and sticking with it that you grow your skill and your insight and you ability to change music and write thoughtful lyrics and create great music ideas. If you are only a part timer because you are at a factory job all day it is really difficult to build your skills, so that is my fear that we are going to loose a generation, the next generation do not have that structure around them to be able to devote to being a full time musician, unless they are willing to starve for many years and run around on the 'do it yourself' promotion treadmill, it is hard for young people to get paid doing music is the bottom line.
RM: Where is the band at in terms of playing live, will there be a huge tour to promote Four?
CD: There won't be a huge tour, there will be selective dates when the guys can get time off work [laughs]. We have a few things coming up in Canada in the autumn and we are trying very hard to get over to Europe and the U.K. for festival season next year, but we are not in a position, nor were we ever successful enough count on doing an arena tour and being able to pay the bills with that. We have to be smart about how we get out there, we do not want to go out and lose money, none of us are independently wealthy, we cannot do that.
RM: Again, congratulations on the release of the new album Four, on behalf of everyone here at Full Throttle Rock I would like to wish you and the band all the best for the future and continued success.
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