CHRIS TRAPPER - BMHOF CLASS OF 2018

With Chris Trapper, it’s all about the songs.

 

As both the lead singer and guitarist of the Push Stars and in a solo career, it’s his songwriting that has set him apart from the pack. In fact, it has also led to international exposure in film, television and soundtracks as well.

 

But 25 years ago, it didn’t seem to be working out that way.

 

Trapper had been writing songs since high school and had moved to Boston with his college rock band to try to make it in music.

 

They’d gotten some good gigs, opening up for  Blue Rodeo and even southern rock legends the Outlaws (an odd pairing, given that Trapper was influenced by ‘80s new wave pop enough to wear makeup on stage in those days) .

 

But then his bandmates started retreating back to Western New York, leaving him behind in Boston.

 

He completely gave up performing for about five years while he bounced from job to job before finding a "real" job in a fancy Boston hotel.

One day, his father called him at the hotel and asked if he was still regularly writing songs.

 

“I said I write a new song every few days, and then he randomly suggested I quit the job and try to make a living off music,” Trapper said. “I jokingly asked, ‘Dad have you been drinking, by any chance?’

 

“But my father raised six kids, and I don't think he particularly enjoyed his job. So in reacting to that, he wanted his kids to do something they loved and, ultimately, I think he had faith in me.”

 

So Trapper quit his job and “went back to basics.” He started playing open mic nights as a solo act. It wasn’t long before he ran into drummer Ryan MacMillan. They put some songs together and decided to cut a demo.

 

Trapper had a friend from Fredonia State College who worked as an engineer at Dreamland Studios in Woodstock, so he called him to see if they could record there. When they arrived without a bass player, he offered to fill in.

 

Shortly thereafter, that same engineer offered to join the band, and that was how Dan McLoughlin joined the Push Stars in what is their lineup to this day. While they’ve had extended periods of inactivity, Trapper is clear to point out they’ve never actually broken up.

 

There was magic in the tapes.

 

Within six months, the band was signed to Imago Records, a major indie label. Their debut album, “Meet Me at the Fair,” was a piece of adult alternative perfection.

 

Within a couple of years, the band had an album, “After the Party,” out on Capitol Records.

 

The Push Stars experienced most of the triumphs and challenges a major-label band can experience. Their song “Everything Shines” was included in the soundtrack for “There’s Something About Mary,” the smash 1999 hit film. One of the Farrelly brothers, makers of the film, had seen Trapper sing the national anthem at a New England Patriots game and later received a tape of the song through an acquaintance. Other placements followed in films such as "The Devil Wears Prada," “Me, Myself & Irene” and “Gun Shy” and TV shows like “Malcolm in the Middle” and “The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn.”

 

At the same time, they were touring both nationally and internationally, performing an average of 200 shows per year.

 

In 2006, Trapper began performing full time as a solo act — and getting a boost from having the theme song for Rebecca Romijn's sitcom "Pepper Dennis." He also appeared on the show. A year later, he penned the song “This Time” for the 2009 Grammy-nominated soundtrack for the Warner Brothers film “August Rush.”

 

The “mailbox money” from the songs  made touring more a labor of love than a constant necessity. He said that getting film and TV placements flowed out of relationships built mostly from touring and from exposure on radio.

 

He’s continued to place songs, including two songs in the 2015 Pierce Brosnan/Salma Hayek film “Some Kind of Beautiful.” In addition, Trapper has written/ co-written seven songs with the Canadian band Great Big Sea, racking up four Canadian gold records and one platinum, and a No. 1 hit with “Sea of No Cares.”

 

He has also toured nationally and in the United Kingdom with Colin Hay of Men at Work.

 

Trapper has recorded nine solo albums, including his 2002 solo release while still with the Push Stars.

 

Most recently, Trapper recorded a new album with his old friends in the Push Stars in 2017. They recorded it at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tenn., with a release date of fall 2018.

 

While Trapper has lived in Boston for over 25 years and maintained a steady touring career from there, he has retained his Buffalo connections all along.

 

He credits two of his music teachers in Amherst, Sue Fay Allen and Rosemary Dayton,  with inspiring him and still stays in touch with them.

Buffalo left an impression on him — beyond the wings and pizza, although he loves them, too.

 

“I talk about Buffalo every single night on stage no matter where I play, because it’s a huge part of my story,” Trapper said. “It’s shaped my whole career, my whole style.

 

“I grew up on the working class side of an affluent suburban town, so I think that shapes my musical experience and work ethic. I think it got me through many, many peaks and valleys in the music business.

 

“I never really expected any of this. Every night on stage feels like a dream come true, really.”

 

Visit www.christrapper.com for more information >>

 

Written by: Elmer Ploetz

 

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