9 Quick Ones with SAM HARMON of VOID VATOR – July 2018

According to a recent press release: “Los Angeles, CA based heavy metal rock band VOID VATOR has announced their SOUTHWEST 2018 TOUR. Launching July 19th in Las Vegas, the tour will wind through Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico before winding down Phoenix on July 28th. The band has also released the official music video for “Until it’s Gone,” off of their 2017 released, debut EP, Dehumanized. Void Vator is a heavy metal rock band based in Los Angelas, CA. made up of Lucas Kanopa (Guitar, Vocals), Erik Kluiber (Guitar), Sam Harman (Bass), and German Moura (Drums). Originally formed in 2014, Void Vator began writing material and performing throughout LA before being approached by legendary rock music producer Ulrich Wild to sign with his then startup WURMGROUP. The band released their debut EP, Dehumanized, in 2017.” We get bassist Sam to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Dehumanized came out in 2016 but we just released a music video for “Until It’s Gone,” which is one of the tracks on that EP. “Until It’s Gone” is a heavy rock jam through and through. Strong, heavy riff, energetic verse, big chorus, ripping solo. The ending riff where it goes to a total BLS Sabbath riff is one of my favorite moments in our set. The video is bunch of live footage from some major shows. Footage from The Viper Room, the Whisky, Vamp’d in Vegas, and Lucky Strike in Hollywood. Our drummer German and his wife Janilee edited the whole thing. They put like 60 hours into. There’s some footage of us hanging in Vegas too. Lucas and I jump off the roof of my Uncle’s pad into his pool at one point.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My Ma loved The Allman Brothers and Van Halen, my Dad loved everything from Fishbone and Oingo Boingo to Anita Baker and James Brown so music has always been around. One of my earliest memories is rolling up to third grade with my Ma playing Hot for Teacher as my brother and I got out of the car. I wanted to play music after seeing the movie School of Rock with Jack Black, which sounds wack but that movie showed me that you could be 10 years old and rip just like Angus. It made it possible. It always seemed like there was no way. That’s how it all started. Learning how to play Hendrix riffs, then his solos, then I switch to bass and all of a sudden I’m playing like Cliff Burton. It was crazy. The moment I knew I was going to make a living as a musician was when I was 19 and I was sitting in a biology class at a community college in LA. Up way to early for some BS I didn’t care about. The night before there was a cool ass show at The Viper Room but I missed it because I made the responsible choice to go to bed early and be on time for class. Fuck that. I was going to do whatever it takes to make this thing happen.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Cliff Burton from Metallica, Larry Graham from Sly and the Family Stone, Phil Lynott from Thin Lizz, Steve Harris from Maiden, and Lemmy. The metal dudes are pretty obvious. I play the bass and run around on stage like those 3 dudes. Larry practically invented how to play bass as far as I’m concerned. He’s the best ever. So much feel and pocket, and he was the first to through some dirt on his bass tone. Phil is one of the best songwriters ever and his bass lines are so good you can listen to them by themselves.

4. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

I always say Void Vator sounds like the Foo Fighters if they were a NWOBHM band. We have this 90’s vibe but all of us shred.

5. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

When you’re really good at it, it’s summer vacation with your best friends ALL THE TIME.  Seeing the world, meeting all sorts of crazy ass people, story after story. And that’s all because these people know exactly what music does for you without having to say shit. You’re all there for the same reason. This shit speaks to you in a way nobody else can.

6. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Not a whole lot of cooking going on. Only fluids per the doctors orders. Erik and I definitely booze the hardest. Lucas is the one who gets his hand on a guitar. Nobody really sings to what he’s playing though. We’re singing to whatever is so loud we can’t hear the cops pounding on the door.

7. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Skating. It’s kinda the same deal as playing music only you have a deck instead of an axe. Traveling, good times with friends. I love that whole world.

8. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

No way. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for any of that.

9. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Cowboys From Hell by Pantera. It’s the definition of metal dude. So much goddamn attitude. That album helped me figure out who I was when I didn’t know. 15 years old can’t decide if I’m gunna try and play basketball and get the cheerleader or if I’m gunna be playing Domination in my underwear and partying way too hard way too early. That would also mean I got to hang with all those guys. That’s major.

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Category: Interviews