New York based progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria has been going strong for over ten years. Their most recent album, “Year of the Black Rainbow,” marks the prequel of the four albums preceding it and completes the story that has been running since the release of “Second Stage Turbine Blade” in 2002.

The band is currently on tour with Circa Survive and Torche to support their new album. When The Oakland Post spoke with guitarist Travis Stever, the guys were headed to New Orleans for a day off before hitting the stage at Warehouse Live in Houston, Texas.

Stever said that his top three favorite songs to play live include two new songs, “Here We Are Juggernaut” and “World of Lines.” He also said he had to add “Welcome Home” into the mix of his favorites because he loves the crowd’s reaction when they play it live.

At the end of 2008, Coheed and Cambria performed “Neverender,” a four- night series in which the band performed every song from each of their albums, one album per night in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and London. The entire process was recorded from their New York City dates and a CD/DVD was made available on March 24, 2009.

“I don’t think that it’s out of the question. We had such a good time doing it,” Stever said with regard to whether another “Neverender” type tour could be foreseen.

Stever said that the “Neverender” tour and getting the chance to perform at the Coachella music festival in Indio, California on April 17 with the University of Southern California marching band were both his most memorable tour moments and proudest accomplishments to date.

“They both go hand in hand in experiences that are really hard to come by in life for most people and I’m proud that I’ve been able to be a part of something like that,” Stever said.

Completing the story

On April 13, “Year of the Black Rainbow” was released in both standard and deluxe edition. The special edition contains a novel written by front man Claudio Sanchez and writer Peter David, “Every End Has A Beginning” DVD with studio and interview footage and a “Black Card” which allows holders early entry into shows. 

As with any progressive band that attempts to change their sound from album to album, “Year of the Black Rainbow” was met with mixed feelings from the band’s fan base.

“I’m reading a lot of those comments that after a couple listens they’re starting to really love it,” Stever said. “That’s usually what happens with us every time we change a little bit.”

Stever also talked about how many of the songs were laid out prior to their involvement of producer Atticus Ross, whose involvement was a partial reason for some of the negative feelings toward the new album. He said that as Ross had a large contribution of how the new CD turned out, the sound was merely how Coheed and Cambria was progressing.

“That’s why you listen to bands. Certain people like different aspects of those bands,” Stever said. “We’re definitely a band that has all different angles to it, which is what I like.”

Stever also mentioned that he attributed the negative comments toward the album to fans fearing dramatic change.

“No album is the same for us and I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Stever said.

The future

Many fans have speculated Coheed and Cambria’s future steps now that their story is complete, but Stever assured us that the band isn’t stopping anytime soon.

“There’s so many different aspects of the story that we could explore. Or we could just record a regular rock record, you never know. But in five years I know we’ll be doing something,” Stever said.

Stever also expressed his and the band’s appreciation to their fans.

“The only reason we’re out here is we actually are able to constantly tour the way we do,” he said. “We have such an amazing fan base and we do everything we can to try to keep them happy.”

Coheed and Cambria will be playing the Royal Oak Music Theatre May 15.

For more information on Coheed and Cambria and tour information, go to coheedandcambria.com.