Interview with The Hammer Antics 2013
-Who are all of the band members? And what do they do in the band?
Michelle: I’m the singer and keyboard player, Jeff plays guitar, Simon plays bass and Jenna hits the drums
-What's the origin of your band name, The Hammer Antics? Have you changed
the band's name before?
Jeff: My friend came up with the band name. We’re a Hamilton band, and Hamilton is known as “The Hammer” so it derived from that. We were changing it because we hated our old one.
-What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major
Influences?
Michelle: We’re definitely a rock band. I’ve always gravitated towards rock and psychedelic music. I love classic bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. I also love a powerful or interesting female vocal, more recently people like Gin Wigmore and Grace Potter.
Jeff: The Beatles.
Simon: The people I look up to most are Flea and Dave Grohl.
-How old were you when you started this band?
Michelle: Jenna and I were 3 and Jeff and Simon were 65.
-How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
Jeff: We all met in jail.
Michelle: Actually, I met Jeff in a band we played in before The Hammer Antics, and met Simon through Jeff. They played together in the same band before I was a member. I’ve known Jenna since I was 3, we grew up on the same street and were really good friends growing up.
-When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Michelle: We formed in the spring of 2012. Jeff and I knew we wanted to start a new project and leave the band we were in, and it all just came together after we asked Simon and Jenna to join us.
-Do you have a record label? If so, what is it?
Michelle: Nah, we’re unsigned. But if anyone is interested…
-What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to
brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you
choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a
style/model/brand/color preference?
Michelle: I’ve been singing and playing piano since I was little kid. I’ve always played the same piano at home though so I’ve never really had a preference of brand. I’ve just started using a Nord Electro 4 keyboard on stage. It’s pretty sweet, but I don’t really have a preference when it comes to equipment. I’ll sing into a shoe if I need to.
Jeff: I’m partial to Gibson and Marshal. My favorite is my Pelham Blue Les Paul. It’s beautiful.
-Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite
venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Jeff: We’ve been lucky enough to play some pretty sweet venues. We did a show at The Opera House which was very cool. I don’t really have a least favorite venue, anywhere is good for me.
Simon: Yeah The Opera House was my favorite show. It was a great venue with an incredible history behind it; couldn’t help but feel important on that stage. We have a bunch of shows coming up starting in May which can be found on our website.
-Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers?
Do you have a set play list for your shows?
Michelle: We only have 7 original songs as band right now, so that’s pretty much our set. We do “I Love Rock and Roll” as a cover, that’s always a fun one. We’re picking up a bunch of covers right now for a house gig we’re going to be starting in Hamilton.
-What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think
these topics will change over time?
Michelle: Jeff and I do all of the songwriting for the band. We have a really good vibe going when it comes to making music, so hopefully that continues. For this EP, there’s a common theme of chaos and storytelling…I feel, at least.
-Could you briefly describe your music-making process?
Michelle: It’s hard to say because it’s always different. We never really write a song the same way twice.
Jeff: Yeah, it’s always different. Michelle does most of the lyrics and vocal melodies, and I focus more on the instrumentals.
-What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week
in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Simon: Our practices are pretty spontaneous because of everyone’s schedules right now, but we’re looking to get into a solid routine into the summer.
-How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Michelle: The more time that goes by, the more we understand who we are as band and what kind of music we’re meant to make.
-What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to
overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Michelle: The music industry is a challenge every day. Music is simple, which is nice because that’s the important part.
-What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and
fortune?
Michelle: We just want to make music that we’re always happy with. We’re not looking to please anyone, or go in a direction that we don’t believe in. Fame and fortune is over-rated.
-What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Michelle: Don’t, there’s too many.
-How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard your
music before?
Michelle: Angelic
Jeff: It’s pretty good…….catchy.
Simon: Though the sound is original in my opinion I’d say that we each draw from our own influences to create a vibrant fusion of soulful memorable melodies being hacked by powerful in your face rock…or catchy.
-How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with
sample songs or a demo CD?
Jeff: Our single is available on iTunes and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57VYELtymq0
Our album will be available June 1st through iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby.
-Website links in which other people can find your music, or more
information for your band?
Michelle:
www.thehammerantics.com
www.facebook.com/thehammerantics
www.twitter.com/thehammerantics
-Would you ever do an interview like this with us again?
Michelle: Gladly.
-Would you like to do more fun/funny questions in another interview?
Michelle: I like funny.
-Any last words?
Jeff: Cheese is good.