Caspian Find Strength in Numbers as They Embark on New Tour

Massachusetts post-rockers Caspian reunited with founding bassist and co-guitarist Chris Friedrich and Calvin Joss, respectively, for a stellar hometown performance in Cambridge, Mass. at the end of December. True, the split had been a temporary one, at least for Friedrich, who was only absent for the band's enormous European fall tour.

Friedrich took time off to work with an aid organization in Africa. Joss, however, bowed out of extensive touring in 2007 when he got married. So the three-axe lineup at Cambridge's Middle East Club -- which also numbered guitarists Philip Jamieson and Erin Burke-Moran, and drummer Joe Vickers -- is one that's rarely seen outside of the northeast. "I would never have thought that starting the band," Jamieson tells Noisecreep of touring without them.

Joss' shocking announcement, right as Caspian released its 2007 debut album, 'The Four Trees' --along with an important American tour looming -- was a huge blow at the time. "That was really tough, man, " Jamieson says gravely. "I thought that was it. We're over before we've started."

Oddly, it didn't shatter the band, only strengthened it. Burke-Moran signed on initially as tour guitarist, but is now a permanent member, featured on Caspian's August-released 'Tertia.' Joss remains active, writing and recording. He performs when he can, and that's OK with the rest of the band. "Cal loves it like nobody's business and he'll always be in Caspian. I can't write songs without Cal," confirms Jamieson.

For Caspian's winter tour, which launches Jan. 3 in Hamden, Conn., Joss' European tour replacement, Jonny Ashburn, will keep the riff level up to a thrilling three guitars. Jamieson adds that having new blood in the band helps keep things fresh.

"Erin got in the band because Cal wasn't able to tour," Jamieson says. "When Erin entered the band, he added a new dimension. I often wonder what it would have been like after five years if it had just been the four of us. I guess other bands do it. We're used to being in flux. It's always a developing process."