Category Archives: words
Danielle Wensley
Gerlin Heestermans
Dear Nikki,
I just found out about this blog through Twitter. About 24 hours ago I found out about Chris’ passing and was in complete shock and utter disbelief. I, too, did not know Chris that well but what I do know is that he was one of the kindest people in this world. I met the Women guys early 2009 and for me Chris was always the quieter one. Hanging out with them was always a ton of fun though and I have many fond memories. For example, one night there was some sort of weird rainbow light all over Tilburg, the Netherlands and Chris was trying to take a picture of it. My friend Phara, Chris and I were laughing about it and we called ourselves rainbros that night. It just came back to me today. In May when he played here in Brussels with The Dodos I got to know Chris even better and what I will always, always remember is this: I ran up to him, shouted his name and I gave him this big hug and he spun me around. It’s one of the best hugs I’ve ever gotten and it showed to me how much love Chris had to give. He always made time for people and was always so genuinely nice.
I have included a polaroid my friend Phara took of the three of us last May. I love the joy on all three our faces and I’m happy I have this to remember him by.
Wishing all of you so much strength and love.
Hugs,
Gerlin
Lindsey Baker
Nikki,
I am so, so, unspeakably sorry for your loss. I’m sure you know this, but it bears repeating: Everybody loves Chris.
He was wicked smart, funny as hell, and talented and humble in equal measure. I know that most people, myself included, got to meet Chris and know him as an incredible musician, but what struck me most and endeared him to me was that his talent with music was exceeded by his character as a human. He was loyal, considerate, modest, and would help a friend at the drop of a hat. He was an instant ally, and was always trying to make things easier, or more fun for everyone in the room. It is a remarkable and rare thing, and gave me infinite respect and gratitude for knowing him.
Dan from Faux Discx
Hi Nikki,
I just wanted to get in touch and offer my condolences to you and your family. I met Chris on a number of occasions through playing with Women, with whom my band (Cold Pumas) played a variety of shows with in the UK. He was a sweet and funny guy and we hit it off with him and the rest of the band straight away.
Later I’d release a split 7″ single with Women’s song ‘Bullfight’ on it which also featured us, aswell as Mike’s other band Friendo and another band with whom Women became friends with in the UK called Fair Ohs. We saw it as our friendships solidified on wax.
The song Bullfight has one of my favourite ever guitar lines on it and it comes courtesy of Chris, the guy was an absolute genius. Michael Wallace was in the UK last week and he was telling me about how Chris just came up with it, and recorded it whilst the rest of the band were outside smoking. Chris will remain one of my favourite guitar players forever and I feel honoured that I could also call him a friend. He’ll be missed by family, friends and fans alike. I’m proud that I was part of helping his music reach people.
I wrote a short piece on the label website here: www.fauxdiscx.com
I’m deeply sorry for your loss,
Dan x
Marc Rimmer
I first met Chris when we were about 16 years old. It was at a house party and we were playing in two separate but equally outrageous cover bands (well, mine was actually far worse). At the time he introduced himself simply as his last name and, having my name constantly mispronounced as “Marc Reimer” as a child, I thought we were destined to be friend soulmates. I guess it turns out I was right…
Peter McCracken
I only know Chris through his music, but it has a profound impact on me. I am so sorry to hear this news and I have nothing but the deepest prayers for you and your family during this time. He made a guitar express emotions words never could, and like so many others out there his music changed my life. I can never shake his melodies out of my head, and he’ll live on through small parts of songs we hum and fond relistens to his amazing music.
Caleb Palma
Hi Nikki,
I’m so sorry for your loss. i wanted to share a couple of lighthearted pictures from the last North American Dodos tour in Aug/Sep 2011 that have been making me smile these past few days.
I was selling merch and was the new guy in the van. Chris, or Pony as I immediately came to know him, was one of the funniest, sweetest, most excruciatingly talented people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing right off the bat. We became quick friends in the way that you do with people you spend 5 weeks in a van with – mostly based on trying to make each other laugh as often as possible (Chris’ favorite thing in the world on that tour was probably this tape of hilarious paul stanley stage banter –http://captainsdead.com/paul-stanley-people-let-me-get-this-off-my-chest.html ). But, when he took a break from making music in the backseat during drives or doing Paul Stanley impersonations, it was immediately clear that he was a very sweet human being. Genuine desire to listen and learn more about people, even if it was just a rabid Women fan he’d never see again (these, of course, turned up after every single show in lines to talk to him).
These are my memories of Chris. A friend I wish I had more time with, and assumed I would be keeping in touch with for many, many years.
The first photo is from a 12 hour drive day – around hour 8 or so, when we were so bored we took to an iphone application called Fatbooth, which adds about 100 pounds to a portrait of yourself. Chris was pretty pleased with his hilarious results and wanted the picture emailed to him immediately. Makes me laugh every time I look at it.
The second is after our show in New Orleans – Pony meets a pony! 
In the months since that tour we’ve sent each other email every once in a while, and I randomly texted him around early February to check in. He told me he was working on a record with Rena. I expressed my eager desire to hear it and he assured me he’d be handing out copies to friends – as soon it was ready. I don’t know what will happen with those songs, but man I would love to hear them one day.
I’ll miss him.
Robert McCarty
I’m very sad to hear about your loss. I know it’s next to nothing, but attached is the only photo I took when Chris and The Dodos played in Lawrence, KS last October. Chris had become something of a personal icon for me over the last three years listening to Women, and getting to meet him that night was something of a dream come true. He was very kind and humble, and the world has lost a ray of inspiration in his passing. My heart goes out to you and your family.







