Endoxi Is All About the Journey

“There are many sides of Endoxi ,” says singer-guitarist Chris Wilson. “There’s the Mozart got drunk on Metallica’s wine and flew to space on a rock ’n’ roll rocket ship side. Then there’s the 1940s big-band Black Crowes meets Dave Matthews at Woodstock and lit Jimi Hendrix on fire side. Last, there’s the timeless Queen meets the late-era Beatles in Central Park for an anthemic acoustic piano-driven explosion side.”

The band was nominated for San Diego Music Awards in 2009 for Best Alternative Album and 2010 for Best Alternative Band, and their full-length Earthbound was released in August.

“The theme of the entire album,” says sax player Joe Cardillo, “is to find one’s purpose in life. While on the journey, you go through internal and external struggles, dealing with all the challenges and rewards that are part of that journey. This art and this album is about that journey.” The foursome is rounded out by drummer Matt Caskitt and bassist Wally.

Endoxi performs at the Belly Up Tavern on Wednesday, December 22.

WHAT’S IN YOUR CD PLAYER?

Chris Wilson:

1) Manu Chao, Clandestino. “He’s so different from anything I’ve ever heard, so it takes my mind off life.”

2) No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom. “This record has some of the raddest tones ever, with hot drums, hot bass, hot guitar, and a smokin’ B3 organ.”

Joe Cardillo:

1) Morphine, Cure for Pain. “This Boston trio’s album has been one of my favorites since ninth grade.”

2) Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. “After their sax player LeRoi Moore’s death, you could tell DMB was motivated to make this album one of their best.”

3) Lettuce, Live at Blue Note Tokyo. “All are amazing musicians, and they really know how to bring the funk.”

4) Dispatch, Silent Steeples. “When I want to mellow out, this acoustic album by the biggest unsigned act ever really does the trick.”

Wally:

1) Flaming Lips, The Soft Bulletin. “The best art-rock album.”

2) Frank Zappa, Make a Jazz Noise Here. “I’m a Huge Zappa nut, and this is my favorite live album of his.”

3) Maceo Parker, Mo’ Roots. “He is, in my opinion, the new godfather of funk.”

4) Mars Volta, De-Loused in the Comatorium. “These guys have just the right amount of good songwriting and freak-out noise.”

5) Lettuce, Outta Here. “Hands down, the funkiest band working.”

Matt Caskitt:

1) Dredg, Catch Without Arms. “An all-around amazing album.”

2) The Bouncing Souls, Hopeless Romantic. “My daily dose of nostalgia.”

3) The Gaslight Anthem, American Slang. “You can feel every word Brian Fallon sings.”

4) Against Me!, White Crosses. “Every song on this album tells a story, with a pop anthem backing it up.”

5) Lawrence Arms, Apathy and Exhaustion. “Chicago’s most underrated band of social misfits.”

WHAT SONG BEST DESCRIBES YOUR LIFE?

Cardillo: “‘Eye of the Tiger,’” Survivor. “‘Face to face, out in the heat, hangin’ tough, staying hungry/ They stack the odds till we take to the street, for we kill with the skill to survive.’”

Wally: “‘Reelin’ in the Years,’” Steely Dan. “‘Are you reelin’ in the years, are you stowing away the time?’”

Caskitt: “‘Born to Run,’” Bruce Springsteen. “‘We gotta get out while were young, ’cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run.’”

MOST BROKE YOU’VE EVER BEEN?

Wilson: “Being overdrawn a couple hundred in the bank, no checks coming in, no gas in car, for long periods of time. The McDonald’s dollar menu was helpful.”

Cardillo: “The summer right after I graduated from college, I had $1.04 in my checking account. I took a picture of the statement ’cause it cracked me up.”

Wally: “When I lived in San Francisco, it wasn’t uncommon for me to go two weeks on 20 bucks. When you like to smoke cigs and drink beer, you have to get real creative.”

Caskitt: “One year after I moved here, I lost my job, my apartment, and was overdrawn $500 in my bank account, all in one week.”

WHERE DO YOU TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS?

Wally: “The Yard House, downtown. I mean, they have, like, 300 beers on tap. Seriously.”

Caskitt: “Sipz Fusion Cafe in Clairemont. I like to show my guests you don’t have to sacrifice taste when it comes to vegan cuisine.”

BIGGEST REGRET?

Wally: “Not finishing my Bachelors of Music degree.”

UGLIEST THING IN YOUR CLOSET?

Wilson: “A purple-and-blue sequined button-down collared shirt.”

Wally: “Ugg Boots. Shut up, they’re comfy!”

Caskitt: “A pair of leopard-print spandex leggings.”

FOUR THINGS WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Wilson: “I hate reading.”

Cardillo: “Two of the saxes I play were my grandfather’s.”

Wally: “I can’t sleep unless there’s a fan on.”

Caskitt: “If you live in the SDSU area, chances are I’ve delivered you a pizza.”■