A Dirty Dozen with LIAM SARGENT from HELL’s ADDICTION – November 2023

According to a recent press release: “The UK’s HELL’S ADDICTION are extremely hot property in their homeland at the moment, hotly tipped as a band to keep an eye on, having recently destroyed audiences at festivals such as Rockin’ The Bowl, Hard Rock Hell and Firevolt, just to name a few.  The quintet’s Nine O’Clock Horses is a hard rock masterpiece of the highest order.” We get lead guitarist Liam to discuss new music, influences, and 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Nine O’Clock Horses is due for release in late 2023. Our latest single “Scream Your Name” has just been released via all major streaming platforms to what seems a really positive reaction from our ever-growing fan base. There’s something in there for everyone, it’s a real mixed bag, great hooks, great melody, great guitar solo. What more do you need?

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

For me personally, it was Guns ‘N Roses that changed my life and sent me hurtling down this path since I was a teenager.

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

There is so many influences floating through this band from 60’s and 70’s classic rock with everything in-between to the modern day, as far as performers or live shoes go, we all have our own preferences, I guess Luke leans more towards the metal side of things; Ben, Jason, Dan, and myself more towards the rock/blues side of things.

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

I have to list a few here I think: Sebastian Bach, Erik Gronwall, George Lynch, Derek Trucks, and Mike Portnoy. That should just about keep everyone happy, I think.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Sleep, drink, smoke, repeat.

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?

This is a hard one, I’d describe our sound as modern rock melodic rock, great songs, great sound, and great album. Honestly can’t think of any cringe comparisons we’ve ever had.🤔

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

Who cooks? 😂😂😂 Subway, McDonald’s, or whatever is within walking distance. To be fair were all pretty talented at getting the drinks in.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’d guess Dan’s probably met the most famous people when he used to work at Marshall amplification. Dan doesn’t strike me as a guy who gets star struck, but I do remember a story about him meeting the late great Gary Moore, and the sentence ‘Don’t ever meet your heroes’ coming out of Dan’s mouth shortly afterwards.😂

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I think I’d be a wrestler. Slamming people on the floor must feel great.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I enjoyed the last question. One thing I get fed up hearing from people, is you must be making loads of money out of it now.😂😂😂 Nope, I’m afraid not.

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?

We’ve lost count of the numerous times we’ve made bad decisions and no doubt it’s had some effect on our journey, but it’s a learning curve and it’s a business that changes at such a fast pace it’s hard to know what’s going to turn out great and some not so great. 😂 We just try and be honest with ourselves and our fans, that’s the most important thing to us.

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?

Oh jeez.😂 Anything AC/DC Bon era that would be cool. UFO Strangers In The Night (still love that album). Schenker was the melody master… what an era. Steve Marriott with Humble Pie would have been special to be around. I could go on and on. 😂 Anything from Free.

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Category: Interviews