We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christian Kidd a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My mother always had to work more than one job, but she always managed to make a home for us- and she even found ways to make things fun. She modeled a strong work ethic, and this not only impacted the way I tackled whatever jobs I’ve had, but also in the way that I approach my music. I’m not one of those guys who can just jump onstage and play whatever- I practice, practice, practice, and I’m constantly fine tuning things to make a new song just right. I won’t play the same set list twice, and I want to make sure that everyone in the band knows the songs backwards and forwards. Especially these days, since I’m lucky enough to have such an extensive catalogue. Fans will call out their favorite songs at a show in the middle of a set, and we need to know how to play them. Playing shows is fun, but getting to the show takes discipline and work. I learned that from her.

Also, my mother was very supportive of me wanting to play music. When I was young, she bought me my first acoustic and my first electric guitars. She gave me my first rock and roll records. She saved articles about my band. One time, she saw a marquee of The Hates on her way from one job to another, and she told me she was so proud. I’m sure back when I first started playing punk having your mom approve of your music wasn’t cool, but I didn’t care. She was always my biggest fan, and I’m eternally grateful for her support.

Christian, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The Hates have been called “Houston’s first and last punk band”, and with over 40 years of blood, sweat, and that familiar mohawk, those words may be more true than their author ever knew. From his very first live show in 1978, Christian Arnheiter has steered this legendary band through decades of disco, pop, new wave, hair bands, hip-hop, crossover country, and the newest fad of tribute bands to keep punk rock alive.

In a time when many early eighties groups are getting back together to play reunion shows, The Hates have the distinction of being the oldest continuously performing punk band in Houston. And despite the love/hate relationship the local music scene has had with punk rock over the years, the Bayou City will always be their home.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic started to hit Houston, I started canceling live shows because I was really worried about getting Covid and bringing it home to my wife who deals with chronic health issues. It wasn’t long before everyone was in lockdown, and I was really missing being out there in front of an audience. Playing live music has always been such a gift for me- I play, and the audience gives me their energy, and I try to give it right back to them. It’s like nothing else in the world to me.

Like many people, I started to get a little depressed. Being shut in all of the time, not able to play, being worried- it got to a lot of us. We’d seen a couple of videos out there where famous musicians started posting videos of themselves at home, or collaborating with their bandmates from separate locations, and it looked like fun. My wife thought that it might be a good idea if I did an acoustic set from home and stream it live on Facebook. It didn’t take long until it ended up taking on a life of it’s own.

I started off doing acoustic versions of my own music, but then the requests started pouring in, and I played covers of everything from The Misfits and The Dead Milkmen, The Smiths and David Bowie, Depeche Mode and Pulp, and Marilyn Manson, I even had fun with The Ramones, taking a famous song and redoing it as “I Wanna Be Vaccinated”. It was the next best thing to being in front of a slam dancing audience- I was lucky enough to connect with people from across the state, the country, and even halfway across the globe. It was incredible. We did 85 weekly shows before I finally had to stop because real life was heading back towards us and it was getting harder to make the shows happen. I can see doing a few surprise shows here and there, though. It’s so much fun.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Go to shows. Music shows. Art shows. Community theaters. Go to small bookstores. Shop at neighborhood businesses. I know that the pandemic has caused a huge shift in the way we do things- many local venues have closed or changed their business plans in order to survive, but some new places have opened to try to fill in the gaps. If you’re still worried about Covid, wear your masks. We do.

Share your time and your dollars in the community where you live. Then you will see the thriving music and art scenes like we had before. It’s starting to get stronger again and it’s a beautiful thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: Don’t have one
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100024005088739

Image Credits
Alexis kidd