Shredding Skins: Peeling Back the Layers of ChiodoSupply

We recently sat down with Damien (Doc) Chiodo of ChiodoSupply to discuss his new album. After years as a punk-rocker, and many more years without making music at all, he has released a new album. 1919 is a folksy, bluegrass Americana album about many things including life and loss. We wanted to know the story behind the man who made such a big leap. You can see the full details of the question and answer session below, but what we learned about Doc while just hanging and chatting is, in many ways, just as interesting. The man is like an onion (a term borrowed from a friend). You just keep peeling back the layers. 

From California, with a few of his younger years spent in Arkansas, Doc is husband to wife Marti (from California via Nicaragua), and a father of three. He’s a self-made businessman who, along with Marti, moved his family to Puerto Rico, driven by concerns about the state of the world. He makes it clear he’s not here for tax breaks—his thoughts on that, and much more, can be found on his social media (fair warning: they’re not for the faint of heart). While you are there, you’ll also find glimpses of life on the Chiodo family farm in Aguada, where Doc gets his hands dirty in the most literal sense. We told you he was complex! 

After a few beers and a little whisky, we peeled back the onion skin and got down to the good stuff— government agencies, recent travels, and an ongoing “bromance” with a certain Irish punk band from Boston, just to name a few topics. We talked about music, self-revelations, family, and how this new album came to be. For Doc, 1919 was a necessary release—things that needed to be said, emotions that demanded an outlet. He wrote the track “Broken” after a close friend on the island lost her battle with cancer, a song so raw he still can’t get through it without tears. You can see the weight of it on his face when he talks about it. 

And, of course, we had to ask—what’s next? You’ll find his official answer in the Q&A, but we have our suspicions. Could it be that, after more than two decades, Doc finally has enough confidence in his songwriting to pen a song for Marti? Come on, man—what are you waiting for?

All these layers—grief, love, frustration, resilience—are what make 1919 and ChiodoSupply so powerful. The emotions are real, the stories are relatable, and at the end of the day, that’s what great music is all about. You can read the full question and answer session below for more details on the history behind the man and the music.

Questions and Honest Answers by ChiodoSupply

Disclaimer: [ ] denotes that a word may have been edited to keep it rated PG. Not because we wanted to, but…

Q. For those who may not be familiar with you, can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your musical journey?

CS: I’m ChiodoSupply – Punk rocker, storyteller, and professional [crap] talker. Been making music for [darn] near 40 years. First with my band Model Citizen, and now on my own as ChiodoSupply. Just trying to make sense of a world gone mad, calling out bull[crap], and finding some kind of meaning in all of it.

Q. You’ve been making music for nearly 40 years—what were those early days like, and how has your sound evolved?

CS: The early days were fast, loud, and messy—just how punk should be. We didn’t give a [darn] about polish. It was about raw energy, getting up there and making people feel something, or for me, it was about feeling it myself. But, I have always had other influences – folk, blues, and yacht rock. But it’s always been loud until recently.

Q. What brought you to Rincón, Puerto Rico, and how has the move influenced your music?

CS: Life. Life brought me here. Wanting to give my family a different cultural experience was the main reason, wanting to get closer to the ocean, and also an overwhelming sense that our country just isn’t well right now. Nowhere does it really vibe like Rincón though. It’s got a lot of misfits and dreamers, and I guess I’m both. The people, the culture, and the history—it’s all seeped into my songwriting in ways. I’m still discovering, and I even wrote a song about the people of La Perla, “Salt in the Sky”, on the album. The hook is at the end.

Q. How do you see the music scene on the west side of the island? Are there any local artists or venues that stand out to you?

CS: I’m going to be honest, I am not part of the music scene in Rincón. Before about a year ago, I hadn’t started writing new music for many reasons – the main one being that we suffered a big loss in the band. But I enjoy SE VENDE, naturally having punk rock in my DNA. I genuinely like the product they put out and their live shows and their lead man exemplifies a punker in every way. I also really like the Rubberneckers that play at Calypso all the time. They are a ton of fun, and Kenny Franklin plays a mean slide.

There’s something special about a scene that’s not drowning in industry bull[crap]. People here play because they love it. There are never going to be huge crowds or large venues to play here. I have seen really good musicians at The Beach House and Big Kahuna at Casa Verde.

Q. Your latest album explores themes of loss, resilience, and transformation. What inspired this direction?

CS: Life kicks the [crap] out of you sometimes. You lose people. You lose parts of yourself. But you either let it break you or you turn it into something. 1919 is me dealing with all that – grief, anger, change – and coming out on the other side, scars and all. It’s about finding a way forward even when it feels like everything is burning down.

Q. Your music blends folk, Americana, bluegrass, and punk influences. How do you balance those different styles?

CS: Punk and folk have more in common than people think — most of my previous punk work was written on an acoustic guitar and later transformed into a punk rock song. In the end, it’s all storytelling, it’s all rebellion. The goal is the same – tell the truth-even if it’s ugly., tear at your heartstrings, or make you think hard about something.

Q. You’re also known for using your voice for activism. How does your passion for social change intersect with your music?

CS: Music is a weapon. Always has been. And it’s saved me more than once. Punk can be about many things to different folks, but to me, the underlying calling of the movement was about Liberty and Justice for all walks of life. So I used to write songs that made people pay attention, and I’ll never see injustice and not say something. I was a lot angrier then. as a kid. Now the world breaks my heart more than it makes me angry — which might explain the shift to something softer.

Q. You’ve built a strong connection with fans through social media. How has that changed the way you share your work?

CS: Well, you never want to be called an underground band if your goal is to sell music. Back in the day, we had to print records and CDs and flyers, pass them out, and pay for things. When the band couldn’t do that we just said [screw] it and decided to only play shows. That’s the legacy we left behind.

But today, social media can reach millions of people all over the world in a matter of seconds. It’s allowed me to share my music across all social barriers and literally across oceans. Surprisingly, my album is trending in Latin America. Bands couldn’t dream of that kind of reach before because it was simply unaffordable. So now it’s a direct line to the people who actually give a [darn]. That’s powerful. It’s also chaotic as [heck], but I love it. Social media has connected me to a community that thinks like me, feels the same way about the world, and holds the same values as me. And it’s cheaper than therapy!

Q. If someone is new to your music, where would you recommend they start to get a true sense of your sound and evolution?

CS: Start with ChiodoSupply 1919. That’s where I am right now. But if you want the full journey, go back and listen to the early punk days. I recently released a Model Citizen ‘Greatest Hits’ album called The Complete Collection, and it’s available basically anywhere you stream or buy music. It’s a compilation of 39 songs in order of release, and it’s loud and fast all the way through. You can listen to it for free on YouTube.

Q. What artists or albums have inspired you over the years? Any recommendations for people to check out?

CS: SNFU is probably one of my biggest influences. They are Canadian punk rock legends and friends. Muc Belke is one of the greatest punk rock guitarists, and you could argue that Mr Chi Pig is the greatest punk rock frontman of all time. Bad Religion-also one of my faves. Greg Graffin inspired me to write an Americana album after seeing him make that same transition to bluegrass. I believe Propagandhi to be one of the top 5 best punk bands of all time. I’m trying to give you some names you might not have heard. David Gray —A Century Ends is probably one of the best folk albums of all time, start to finish. More recently, I’ve been loving everything about Teenage Bottle Rocket. Dropkick Murphys, The Stanfields, Trampled by Turtles, Mannequin Pussy, October London, and Black Pumas are a total vibe.

Q. What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects, collaborations, or performances we should look out for?

CS: I am going to just keep writing music. Putting out this last record gave me new confidence in my composing abilities, having released this on my own. On the other hand, it’s hard to play shows without a band. There are some opportunities out there presenting themselves, and I am just going to see what happens. But I will keep making music for the few people who enjoy it, and mostly for me.

You can learn more about ChiodoSupply by visiting the website. Warning! Content and language will be offensive to some (praised by others) and may not be suitable for children.

1919 is available on Spotify and other streaming platforms.