10 Quick Ones with JOHN KRAMEDJIAN of THE DARKEST HEARTS – September 2018

According to a recent press release: “Tennessee Hard Rock Band THE DARKEST HEARTS has released the official lyric video for their single, “Mississippi Devil.” Created by Brad Owens of Snake Productions, “Mississippi Devil” grew legs and gained traction with Spotify in Europe with little promotion. Hailing from Tennessee, The Darkest Hearts is a DIY Hard Rock band that echoes characteristics of grunge with strong, melodic Pop Rock vocals against almost Heavy Metal instrumentals and organic tones.”  We get guitarist George Gutierrez the band to discuss new music, influences, and much 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?

The one thing that always seems to slip past people about “Mississippi Devil” is the progression of the imagery. The lyric actually starts with ‘Mississippi Devil got her eyes on me, then Mississippi Devil got her hands on me, and then Mississippi Devil got her way with me.’ I love that the song moves in a linear fashion.

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

What got me into music was watching how it affected all of the people around me and seeing how it affected me as a child. I actually used to as a child believe that listening to Jerry Lee Lewis sing “Great Balls of Fire” made me a better pool player. So if I had to play any of my cousins I would put that song on so I had a better chance of winning.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Dimebag, Corey Taylor, Pennywise, Randy Roads, Mr. Big. Just an FYI the first album I ever owned was Mr. Big Lean Into It.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Probably Dave Grohl. All of us can agree that the experience would be amazing. That guy is amazing in so many more ways than just musically.

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

Our music is a combination of new mainstream rock and heavy influences from our past. We have loved and lived music for years and all of those things are present in what we do. We have some punk rock impressions and you can obviously hear the rock. Oldies drive our creative talents and can be heard in our riffs. So all in all there is only one way to describe our music is to say that it sounds like us.

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

The best thing about being a musician is that we can get the chance to meet new people and listen to amazing music all the time. Seeing our best friends doing what they love is so amazing. There are some really talented people out there that know one knows about because there is just too much music going around now.

7. 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?

Those roles are all kinda mixed up among all of us. Since we all play guitar and we all like to drink we just use the sensuous rule. You know like sensuous was up get me a beer.

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

I would probably be doing something in film honestly. My brain works in the strangest way. I can remember things about movies that I haven’t seen in 25 years. I cant remember what I did last week but I can quote movies that I’ve seen once over a decade ago.

9. 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”?

Oh man, I would have to say that dressing up in a suit for our first show was probably about as bad as that category is gonna get. I was way over dressed for a rock show. I had on a long overcoat with a suit jacket slacks a tie my famous spectator shoes. It was all a bit ridiculous.

10. 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?

I would have to pick Snot’s self titled album. That band changed my life and there is no turning back from the first time you hear that album. Lynn Straight was a one of a kind human being. The group created something so far ahead of its time.

THE DARKEST HEARTS LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

Category: Interviews