A Dirty Dozen with JESSE DEGROOT from BENEATH THE HOLLOW – October 2019

According to a recent press release: “Chicago based Heavy Metal Band BENEATH THE HOLLOW has released both a lyric and live video for their newest single, “Spellbound,” available NOW via The Label Group / INgrooves.” We get guitarist Jesse to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

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?

We just released a new single 9/27 called “Spellbound” it’s pretty straight forward; I don’t think there are any hidden nuggets in there.

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

My brother Matt (drums) and I grew up in it, our dad is a killer guitar player and played in bands all the time when we were young. So we always had musicians around rehearsing. We soaked up a lot of influence from that. The first time I heard Pantera’s Far Beyond Driven was that magic moment when I said THIS is what I have to do.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Pantera was the band that made me want to make music. But the influences range from the heaviest of metal to acoustic singer songwriter stuff. The diversity is what keeps it interesting.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

In no particular order: Pantera, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Slipknot.

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

That’s a tough one. Right this minute I’d have to pick Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains. His experience songwriting and developing vocal melodies is unreal.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Heavy, intense, haunting heavy metal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard a comparison that was cringe worthy from a fan or a review yet. Most of then are spot on.

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

Having a platform to express emotions that you can’t necessarily put into words.

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

Jewell (vocals) is the cook (Chef by trade), Tyler (Bass) is always good for bringing drinks. And I’m generally the one playing drill sergeant making sure we get the work done.

9. When was the last the time you were star struck and who was it?

We’ve been fortunate enough to meet so many legends; Gary Holt & Kerry King of Slayer, Phil Anselmo and so many others. They’ve all been very nice and down to earth. Never had a star struck situation though.

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

We all still work full time jobs; but dream job outside of full time musician would be owning/operating my own recording studio.

11. 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”,  even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Looking back there was some great advice I received a long time ago I was to stubborn to take. We spent a lot of years playing very technical/fast more in the death metal world. I wish I would have started focusing on songwriting and incorporating more styles into my music much earlier.

12. 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?

Pantera’s Far Beyond Driven or Alice In Chains’ Dirt both are monumental influences and to be a fly on the wall as those records were being crafted would be just amazing.

BENEATH THE HOLLOW LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Interviews