Interview: HOT HAM AND CHEESE
Hello John, thank you for the interview interest. So please take the time and answer my questions.
Hey Susi,
Sorry for taking so long to get back with you. Below are the answers to your questions...
1. Please introduce your band Hot Ham & Cheese to us first of all.
John: Hot Ham & Cheese is a Cleveland power trio that specializes in hard rock mixed with elements of punk and metal. The band is Charlie - Lead Vox & Guitars; Louie Styx - Bass; and Robby Mitchell - Drums.
2. Describe your musical influences.
John: Our musical influences are all over the board, but people have compared us to Primus, Black Sabbath, the Melvins, the Dead Kennedys and even Phish!
3. What is Hot Ham and Cheese doing at the moment? Have you got many gigs in your hometown?
John: At the moment, we are rehearsing for our 2nd US Tour, which will start on August 20th and run until the end of the month. Cities we'll hit along the way are Youngstown, Pittsburgh, NYC, Richmond, Cincinnati, etc.
4. Please tell us anything bout your latest album, whats it all about and how long did the recordings take?
John: Our latest album is called Revolution & Revelations and it was released in April 2008 (album can be purchased on our website, http://www.hothamandcheese.com). This upcoming tour will be our 2nd in support of it. The album was recorded at the Old Track Six Studios in 2007/early 2008. After the summer tour, we plan to hole ourselves up for the winter in order to record the follow-up album, which is already about 80% written.
5. You are about to do another tour, how do you prepare for your tours?
John: We prepare for our tours by practicing a little more than usual and also by playing some warm-up shows in Cleveland. Our last hometown show before the tour will be Friday, July 17th at the HI-FI in Lakewood, OH.
6. Hows the metal scene in your part of the country?
John: The metal scene is alive and well in Cleveland. In fact, there are many famous metal bands still in the scene that have studios in town. Two that immediately come to mind are Mushroomhead and Chimira.
7. Is there a difference from your musical style to the style of the other bands in your hometown?
John: We would say that our style is definitely different b/c we aren't trying to be the "typical" metal band. Our music is heavy at times, but we have so many influences that we just go with whatever comes to us during the writing process. Some songs are heavier than others, but we embrace all musical styles.
8. When are your next gigs and which gig you are looking forward to mostly?
John: Our next gigs are pretty much the tour. We are really looking forward to playing New York City for the first time!!!
9. Last but not least say something nice to all of your fans.
John: We love our fans!! We know it's cliche, but without them, we'd just be playing with ourselves, haha
Thanks Susi...have a great weekend!
-JT
John, I thank you for taking the time and hope we can talk again soon. It was nice talking to you. Have a good day, Susi
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