The Realities of Tour Life: Five Finger Death Punch’s Chris Kael & Comedian Craig Gass Share War Stories
In a recent episode of the Beardo and Weirdo podcast, comedian Craig Gass sat down with Five Finger Death Punch bassist Chris Kael to talk all things touring — the chaos, the comedy, and the little moments that fans don’t always see.
For many music lovers, the touring life seems like a nonstop thrill ride: backstage passes, screaming fans, and wild afterparties. But the reality? It’s often a blur of long drives, concrete arenas, and trying to remember what city you’re in.
Kael, who’s been with Five Finger Death Punch for over 13 years, admits that the novelty of the tour itinerary has definitely worn off. “When I first joined, I’d get excited just reading the schedule, seeing all the cities we’d be hitting,” he said. “Now? I usually just know the first day, the last day — and everything in between is a mystery.”
That blurred sense of time and place can lead to some pretty awkward moments, like when Kael almost shouted out the wrong city name onstage — a classic touring faux pas. The worst part? The band had just spent two off-days in the same city. “I caught myself before I said it, but yeah… it was still embarrassing,” he laughed.
Gass, whose touring experiences as a comedian differ greatly from the rock ‘n’ roll grind, chimed in with his own stories. When touring arenas with Russell Peters, Gass didn’t even receive an itinerary until just before leaving for the road. The contrast became even more apparent when he toured with Alice in Chains and witnessed just how detailed and dialed-in everything was. “They even had a list of every Starbucks near the venues,” he said, clearly impressed.
While every tour is different — and every genre brings its own rhythm — the takeaway is clear: life on the road is anything but glamorous 24/7. It’s a grind, a juggling act of schedules and sleep, but it’s also full of unforgettable moments and stories worth telling.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like behind the curtain, these insights from Kael and Gass offer a raw and real slice of tour life.