Chris began playing guitar at the age of 11, but some of his earliest memories include performing The Beatles song Help! for a show and tell in kindergarten. His favourite bands growing up included The Beatles, KISS, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Rush among others. He has cited guitarists such as Ted Nugent, Rik Emmett, Ace Frehley, Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker as influences through out the years as well.
After only 13 months, Chris grew bored with guitar lessons and decided to teach himself. He was part of a band called "Blitzkreig" in middle school and played a few shows, the first of which was at a bar in Ridgewood, New Jersey when Chris was only 13. At the age of 14, Chris and his brother formed a band called "Anti". While searching for a bass player, Chris found Darryl Sage, who remains one of his best friends and ended up co-owning Chris's house in Ridgewood. Anti eventually found a singer named Blaze, and whilst in High School, Chris opened for bands like Mountain, Overkill, Steppenwolf, Blackfoot and Metallica. Chris graduated from High School at the age of 16 and went straight into being a professional musician, teaching students during the day and playing shows in the night.
Anti did fairly well, but always had trouble with vocalists. Chris recorded his first demo tape at age 14 and his second at 17, which got him his first national gig. Chris was in New York City one night, hanging around in a club in the middle of Times Square, when he met the lead singer of a band called Heaven named Allan Fryar. They were looking for a guitarist and Chris asked if he could give Allan a tape. A week later and Fryar called, and it turned out that the band also needed a drummer, so Chris's brother Phil joined. The band was managed by David Krebs and a certain Paul O'Neill, who Chris would maintain close ties for most of his career.
Heaven were in-between leaving labels, and Chris did shows with them at the end of a tour and they recorded a new demo. Fryar sung on tapes of some Anti songs and it inspired the band to get the producers in the studio. Opening for Heaven were Skid Row (minus Sebastian Bach) on the East Coast (Chris turned down the opportunity to join the band) and on the West Coast, Warrant.
Paul O'Neill was later introduced to the Oliva brothers, Jon and Criss of Savatage by an Atlantic Records rep and O'Neill left Heaven to work with Savatage. Eventually, Paul invited Chris to New York, where they recorded the CD and introduced Chris to the band. Heaven did was not working with O'Neill and Krebs any more, but wanted a vocalist. Ironically, the band considered asking Sebastian Bach to join them, but they could not catch him in New York. But, Chris soon learned that a second guitarist may be needed in Savatage, so he learned all of the Savatage songs he could in time for Savatage's 1987-1988 tour with Dio and Megadeth. Savatage hired someone else, which left Chris very upset and he flew himself down to the audition. Chris was given the opportunity to perform, played 2 songs before the band stopped and hired him on the spot. The band went on tour, but Chris was kept on the side of the stage, hidden from the audience. Chris was only 20 years old and playing arenas and was happy, but miserable. He left Savatage after the arena tour.
Chris bounced between bands, such as Big Mouth for a couple of years until he came into contact with the Oliva brothers once more. They asked Chris to join them just as the 'Gutter Ballet' CD was finished. He gladly accepted, but the road took it's toll on all of the members and it was around this time that Jon Oliva began his drug and alcohol addiction. Under pressure from his brother to find a singer for their band, Chris quit Savatage at the end of the tour and formed Witchdoctor, with his brother Phil on drums, Hal Patino of King Diamond on bass, and TSO West member Doug Kistner on keyboards. The band played all over Europe, but the brothers were not clicking musicially and the band disbanded. Criss was contacted to perform on Savatage's Streets tour, but issues meant this did not happen. Chris soon learned that Jon Oliva had left Savatage. Chris called Jon, who invited him to Florida, and over "10 bottles of Jack Daniels", their project Doctor Butcher was born.
Zachary Stevens replaced Jon in Savatage, but Jon continued to work with his brother Criss on the record. Chris was again asked to re-join the band, but, he stayed loyal to Jon and Butcher. Some initial demos were recorded with Hal Patino and Gene Barnett for Butcher, but bad press over Jon's health lead Atlantic Records to make a decision - Doctor Butcher or Savatage? Atlantic chose Savatage. Chris was left disheartened. He went to work with friend Ray Gillen of Badlands fame, but he died shortly after the project began. Around this time, Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident. Chris was asked for the fourth time to join Savatage, but Atlantic Records suggested Alex Skolnick join the band instead. Chris would later work with Alex on the TSO East touring company. Butcher was signed in Europe and their debut was recorded in 1994. Jon Oliva left to do the Handful of Rain tour with Savatage so Butcher never toured. Chris, this time, inquired about joining Savatage on a more permanent basis with Jon Oliva, as a close friend and student of Criss Oliva he felt he could pay respect to Criss "spiritually" on stage. Jon agreed, and Chris was joined by Al Pitrelli, a good friend of his from New York. The two formed a steady partnership for almost 6 years, recording both 1995's Dead Winter Dead and 1998's The Wake of Magellan together.
During this time, Chris recorded with Joe Lynn Turner, TM Stevens, as well as produced and recorded for Metalium. Chris was featured on Tribute CD's for Guns N' Roses, Accept and Iron Maiden. The Maiden CD was with Jeff Plate and his long time and newly re acquainted best friend, John West. Savatage was stalled a bit in the recording of a follow up to The Wake of Magellan, due to the tremendous success of the then "Side Project", Trans Siberian Orchestra. Caffery considers himself the "ring leader" of TSO East when they tour, and he enjoys performing live with the ensemble.
Al Pitrelli left Savatage in 2000 when he accepted an invitation to replace Marty Friedman in Megadeth. Zak Stevens left shortly after, citing family reasons. Chris was left as the only guitarist in Savatage and Jon Oliva took up lead vocal duties for the first time in ten years. Chris played the lead parts with Jack Frost (who replaced him in Metalium) playing the rhythm parts on a short tour with Fates Warning and Judas Priest in support of 2001's Poets and Madmen. After Megadeth "disbanded" (it later reformed in 2004) in 2002, Al Pitrelli was invited to re-join the band since "he never left the family anyway".
Since the release of Savatage's most recent CD, Chris has appeared on records of Savatage alumni, including Zak Stevens's Circle II Circle and on Jon Oliva's Pain records. Chris himself released solo EPs and albums in 2004 and 2005, with a follow-up full-length album due for release in 2006.
Solo Discogs
The Mold EP - 2004
Music Man EP - 2004
Faces - 2005
W.A.R.P.E.D - 2005
Pins And Needles - 2007
House Of Insanity - 2009
Your Heaven Is Real - 2015
The Jester's Court - 2018
Worms
Chris Caffery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It’s priceless for us to see
Indisputable amongst the living
It is hard and concrete
Scrupulously random thoughts
Soaked deep in make believe
Most aren’t pretty
It’s the part you don’t see
What sends the reflex
Who shoots the worms?
Some are harmless, some are poisoned, some obscene
Trudge the rules of mass existence as hard as it seems
You’ll get the respect, you’ll win the war
Strike on, (worms) you’re always coming up right
Drop out, (worms) you got misinformed
Strike on, (worms) the switch is as easy as light
Sign off, (worms) in your struggling false mind
Insiders, extremists play the game, they flame the war
Draped in mass hysteria, they are worse than before
Meddling masses of immoral make it hard to sleep
Eminent acts of terror, cyber space they will creep
They send the mail back, refute the words
Uncontrolling neurons aiming high, they’re hungry
Portrayed as angels, makes it’s hard to decree
I set the influx, I’ll shoot the worms
Strike on, (worms) you’re always coming up right
Drop out, (worms) you got misinformed
Strike on, (worms) the switch is as easy as light
Sign off, (worms) in your struggling false mind
Strike on, (worms) you’re always coming up right
Drop out, (worms) you got misinformed
Strike on, (worms) the switch is as easy as light
Sign off, (worms) in your struggling false mind
It’s a Weak Offensive Rattling My Sanity
WORMS!
The lyrics to Chris Caffery's song "Worms" seem to be a commentary on human nature and the various struggles that individuals and society as a whole face. The opening lines suggest that it is inherent in human nature to seek out things that are valuable and that stand out among the rest. However, the following lines suggest that much of what we see is built on a foundation of randomness and make-believe. The things that truly matter, the things that make us human, are not always pretty and are often hidden from view. The chorus seems to urge listeners to not give up in the face of adversity and to keep fighting, even when it seems impossible.
The second half of the song takes a darker turn, discussing the dangers posed by outsiders and extremists who seek to disrupt society and sow chaos. The lines "meddling masses of immoral make it hard to sleep" and "eminent acts of terror, cyber space they will creep" suggest the pervasive influence of these individuals and the difficulty in rooting them out. However, the song ultimately ends on a defiant note, with the repeated refrain of "strike on, worms" suggesting that despite the challenges, we must keep moving forward and fighting for what we believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
In the form of human nature
Human nature is the basis for everything that follows.
It’s priceless for us to see
It's important for us to see the truth.
Indisputable amongst the living
The truth is indisputable.
It is hard and concrete
The truth is hard and concrete.
Scrupulously random thoughts
People have random thoughts, some of which are bad.
Soaked deep in make believe
These bad thoughts are often based in fantasy.
Most aren’t pretty
These bad thoughts are usually not good.
It’s the part you don’t see
These bad thoughts are often hidden.
What sends the reflex
What causes people to act?
Who shoots the worms?
Who can get rid of these bad thoughts?
Some are harmless, some are poisoned, some obscene
Some bad thoughts are harmless, some are dangerous, and some are immoral.
Trudge the rules of mass existence as hard as it seems
Society has rules that are difficult to obey.
You’ll get the respect, you’ll win the war
If you follow the rules, you'll succeed.
Strike on, (worms) you’re always coming up right
Keep fighting against bad thoughts.
Drop out, (worms) you got misinformed
Don't give in to bad thoughts.
The switch is as easy as light
It's easy to switch from bad thoughts to good thoughts.
Sign off, (worms) in your struggling false mind
Get rid of bad thoughts from your mind.
Insiders, extremists play the game, they flame the war
Certain groups of people try to stir up conflict.
Draped in mass hysteria, they are worse than before
These groups are often fueled by hysteria.
Meddling masses of immoral make it hard to sleep
Immoral people cause problems and make it difficult to rest.
Eminent acts of terror, cyber space they will creep
Terrorists use technology to spread fear.
They send the mail back, refute the words
They argue against anyone who disagrees with them.
Uncontrolling neurons aiming high, they’re hungry
These people are driven by their desires.
Portrayed as angels, makes it’s hard to decree
They may try to make themselves look virtuous.
I set the influx, I’ll shoot the worms
I will control my own mind and get rid of bad thoughts.
It’s a Weak Offensive Rattling My Sanity
It's difficult to fight against bad thoughts.
WORMS!
Bad thoughts are like worms that eat away at your mind.
Contributed by Ellie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
C. green
Very cool song different!
Hi tempo,saxophone fits great¡
Worms
In the form of human nature
It’s priceless for us to see
Indisputable amongst the living
It is hard and concrete
Scrupulously random thoughts
Soaked deep in make believe
Most aren’t pretty
It’s the part you don’t see
What sends the reflex
Who shoots the worms?
Some are harmless, some are poisoned, some obscene
Trudge the rules of mass existence as hard as it seems
You’ll get the respect, you’ll win the war
Strike on, (worms) you’re always coming up right
Drop out, (worms) you got misinformed
Strike on, (worms) the switch is as easy as light
Sign off, (worms) in your struggling false mind
Insiders, extremists play the game, they flame the war
Draped in mass hysteria, they are worse than before
Meddling masses of immoral make it hard to sleep
Eminent acts of terror, cyber space they will creep
They send the mail back, refute the words
Uncontrolling neurons aiming high, they’re hungry
Portrayed as angels, makes it’s hard to decree
I set the influx, I’ll shoot the worms
Strike on, (worms) you’re always coming up right
Drop out, (worms) you got misinformed
Strike on, (worms) the switch is as easy as light
Sign off, (worms) in your struggling false mind
Strike on, (worms) you’re always coming up right
Drop out, (worms) you got misinformed
Strike on, (worms) the switch is as easy as light
Sign off, (worms) in your struggling false mind
It’s a Weak Offensive Rattling My Sanity
WORMS!
Psychological Piece
Kicking tune Chris !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Always magical with that guitar !!
danny beck
Love it Great Music
Carla Vinetti
Pretty heavy!
NoxiousPanther
Nice!!!
Sylvia P
WORMS 🐛!!!!!
🤘🎸🎶🎸🤘
Adrian Dragassakis
yeah!