New Chap Roz LP in the works!

Rumors are flying around the web, and we have an email into Esophogeal Records to get a full press release, but if the rumors are true, we may have a new Chap Roz album before the end of the year!

Chap Roz to pen tell-all book?

Industry insiders are reporting that Chap Roz is in negotiations with several potential publishers to write a tell-all book, tentatively titled: You've Mistaken Me For Someone Who Cares. It's not clear what if any relation this has to the movie deal, if any. There's been no word on that in months.

I'll see if I can dig up any more dirt on this and will post it straightaway.

Chap Roz MOVIE in the works?

File this one away in the rumor mill for now - but I've heard rumblings that a major Hollywood producer has approached Sid and Chap about a bio-pic. The names I've heard associated with this are definitely Hollywood elite. Sid offered a very telling 'no comment at this time' which leads me to believe it could be true!

How cool would it be to see the story of Chap Roz unfold on the big screen! I only hope they would let Chap play himself - at least for the later years...

UPDATE!

The following images were just sent in anonymously - described as concepts for upcoming trade ads announcing the project! This may be closer that previously thought!

Chap Roz endorses Obama for president

Got a note from Sid today. Turns out that despite he's not an America citizen, Chap has been motivated to get out and support Barack Obama for President. He apparently met Obama at a recent campaign stop (Sid tells me that's Chad's hand in the upper right hand corner of this photo):

As I understand it, Chap went so far as to ask Sid to contact Obama's campaign headquarters to offer his services, which were politely declined, supposedly due to the fact that Chap is not a U.S. citizen. This is contrary to published reports that in light of other recent associations with undesireables, connecting Obama with Roz was not considered a wise career move at this stage in the election.

In any case, Sid and Chap wanted to make sure the fans knew who he was supporting this November. That's reason enough for Obama to get my vote!

Another lost Roz recording found?

I received an anonymous package in the mail yesterday, with a 16mm reel of film and the following note:

My father worked for Hanna-Barbera in the early 70s, and was the lead animator on the enclosed cartoon, Doctor McGhoulie. The show never aired, as a cease-and-desist order was received by Filmation studios due to similarities to their own Groovy Goolies cartoon. I thought you might be interested in the fact that the theme song is credited to none other than Chap Roz, who I was unfamiliar with until I found your site. My father recently passed away, and knowing I could never sell this, I thought you might appreciate it.

There was no return address, so whoever you are - THANK YOU!

I have not yet run the cartoon - I need to get a 16mm projector to do that, although I've already spoken to some film collectors who insist I get it treated and restored lest an important piece of cartoon history (let alone Chap Roz history) be lost forever.

I immediately shot off a note to Sid, who was able to confirm the sender's story:

I haven't thought about that in at least 30 years, but sure enough, it's a true story. Chap was an up and coming teen star at the time, and he recorded the theme song, was paid, and when the show never aired, we forgot all about it. It wasn't written by Chap or I, but it was his first official recording. I'll be interested in hearing the theme song once you are able to get the film transferred.

So there you have it. As soon as we can ensure it's protected for future generations, we'll get it digitized and up on the site. And to our anonymous benefactor, a thousand thanks!

Has Chap Roz hired a guitarist?

Rumors are flying that Chap Roz has made an offer to Tony Death, guitarist for Goblin cover band Dark Dreams. This is a truly exciting development, as throughout the band's history there has never been a permanent guitarist on staff, and Death is responsible for several wicked riffs. I hope to have confirmation on this in the next week or so - as soon as I do, I'll pass it on!

Lost Chap Roz recording found in Japan!

I was traveling in Japan this week, and you'll never guess what I uncovered in Book Off - a used book/music/video shop in Akihabra!

I was digging through a box of 200¥ LaserDiscs (about $2 U.S.) and I came across a very cool looking cover with Godzilla on it. I was initially disappointed when I realized it was a vinyl record and not some rare Japanese LaserDisc, until I noticed the title of the record.

It's the Blue Oyster Cult song Godzilla covered by Chap Roz! I had never seen an actual Chap Roz 12" single before this one - there's no documentation of it anywhere in the Chap Roz fan community that I've been able to find.

I immediately picked it up (for 105¥!!!) and guarded it carefully all the way back to the hotel in Chiba. Damn the hot, humid weather of Tokyo - as it's warped and I'm not quite sure if it will be playable by the time I get home. Even if not, I have no regrets for picking up this ultimate rarity that's bound to appeal to Chap Roz and Godzilla fans around the globe!