Beginning as a child prodigy on classical organ, Chris Mascara came to Boston from Florida to study religion at Tufts, and took an interest in theatre. Cast as Jesus in a college run of Jesus Christ Superstar, the role stirred an inner conflict regarding his love of Rock and a need for a spiritual quest into the mystical experience. Mixing sleep deprivation, fasting, and meditation, Mascara became overwhelmed by paranoia and ended up spending weeks in McLean Psychiatric Hospital.
Upon his release Mascara (yes, his real last name) formed a band, and unveiled the album Cellar Door in 2000 to critical acclaim and airplay on 150 radio stations. With demons conquered, Mascara nailed a second chance to play Jesus in Boston Rock Opera’s Jesus Christ Superstar costarring with Gary Cherone (Extreme, Van Halen) in 2000. Mascara lended his talents to other BRO productions too, including Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (on sitar) and Aqualung. He also worked with local musicians Caged Heat, Emily Grogan, Make Lisa Rich, Nineteen, and sang and played bass on Ad Frank’s Mr. Fancypants.
In 2003 Mascara showcased an eclectic, biweekly variety show entitled Scara’s Night Out at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA. It included local rock stalwarts, Celtic dulcimer performances, Portuguese/English hip-hop, burlesque dancers, Charlie Chaplin-esque skits, multimedia comedy, old-time radio acts, poetry, belly dancing, delta blues; and even drew The Wu Tang Clan out for the theatrical madness.
Immersing himself in music, Mascara performed ragas and original compositions with his wife in their project Sitar Tabla Power, created new material for MASCARA, sang in a Sinatra lounge combo at cabaret nights and Mardi Gras Balls, and contributed lead vocals to a Paula Kelley song and to a Project: Think Different comp CD track.
January of 2006 welcomed the release of the latest EP, Spell. For the recording of Spell the group--which included drummer Rikki Bates (Incredible Casuals, Space Pussy, Chandler Travis Philharmonic) and bassist Chris Girard--allowed organ, piano, samples and effects to take a more prominent role, versus the exotic sitar, bowed double bass, dobro and lapsteel that characterized Cellar Door. Feted with a sold-out CD release show, Spell debuted at 14 on CMJ's Most Added Records, charted on 200 radio stations nationally, and garnered feature articles.
With new songs in hand, Mascara has assembled a new band that’s turning heads, recruiting rising star Bo Barringer (MEand JOANCOLLINS/The Collisions) on bass and youngblood drummer Matt Graber (Sarah Rabdau). Having collaborated previously in various projects, the new trio has a ready-made fiery chemistry. In October, Mascara embarks on the 2nd full-length recording project (working title: LISTERINE) with tandem production & engineering team David Minehan & David Westner at Woolly Mammoth Studio.
Singled out for his dynamic stage presence, Mascara was hired by Guitar Hero creators Harmonix, who brought him to NYC to shoot several full days of motion capture for the animation of several characters for their highly anticipated, award-winning game ROCK BAND. Mascara also plays bass now in Barringer’s band MEandJOANCOLLINS.
