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Interview: Dave Hause

24 January, 2012 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Any fan of punk rock music these days should know the name Dave Hause. He is an amazing musician who not only fronts The Loved Ones, but also has been quite successful at being a solo performer.

Touring over the years with the likes of Cory Branan, Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem, Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio, Frank Turner, and Mikey Erg just to name a few, Hause has had no problem playing his solo material to the world. His songs are infectious to say the least, and always make for a good time.

In 2011, Hause released Resolutions at the beginning of the year and toured non-stop in support of the album. When I saw that there was not a Cleveland date, I reached out to him for the below interview and decided to try my luck and asked him to play a house show. He and tour-mate Branan were all about it and with help from some friends, we put on a show at the Gurley House in Akron, OH that topped my list of live shows in 2011.

It’s still early in 2012 and Hause is already touring overseas. The guy just does not seem to stop. All I know is that his debut solo album was amazing and I can not wait for his next release. I would be happy with a new Loved Ones album any day, but there is just something about his solo material I am just drawn more to.

Before, during and after that awesome December evening, I had a few chances to chat it up with Hause. Here’s what he had to say:

BHP: Last year came to a quick end, rather quickly if you ask me. How was 2011 for you?

DH: It’s been a great year for me musically, I’ve been all over the world playing songs I made up on my couch with tons of great people.

You have been touring a ton this past year with everyone from Hot Water Music to the good folk on the Revival Tour. How different is to tour without The Loved Ones?

It’s pretty different, I’m much more mobile and able to do whatever I want socially. I miss the revelry with my buds and playing loud some nights, but I do enjoy the ability to just get up and go with ease.

Is there a backing band touring with you?

Not touring with me, no. Where I can put people together for a few shows or a one off or something, I’ll do that, for instance NYC and Philly on this tour I have a full band. But not yet, I’m working towards that in the future.

You toured with Cory Branan towards the end of last year. Any reason Cleveland was overlooked?

Cory’s booking agent put the whole thing together and then asked if I would like to come along. I think he has something against Cleveland. Not Cory of course, but his booking agent.

Luckily I was able to persuade you and Cory into playing some songs at a house show in Akron. Thanks for that by the way. I hope you guys had a good time. I know some of the folk who showed up there that night were beyond stoked to see you and Cory trade off on songs.

We did, thanks for having us. It interrupted our movie marathon but was worth it.

Has Cory given you any tips how to shred on the acoustic? That guy is insane when he does that.

He told me he learned those from some guy with horns at a crossroads down south, and was reluctant to share them with me.

So it was just Cory and you on the road for this past tour right? Who took over the driving duties?

Cory drove unless whiskey Cory showed up. Then I’d try my hand. Whiskey Cory probably would’ve been better…

You gave a shout out to Matt from American War that night, did you think he was in the crowd?

No, I just thought of his music due to the fact we were in Ohio. He’s a terrific talent.

That he is. So, how did the rest of the East Coast tour treat ya?

Interesting and quite fun. Philly was great, New Haven was, well, north of New York city…

Did you see a lot of Loved Ones fans at the shows? Have there been mixed responses from them about your music?

Loved Ones fans have been way into the record and the shows. I write for the Loved Ones and I write obviously these solo songs, so it’s just minor tweaks of aesthetics that separates the two.

I heard you will be playing with Frank Turner in Europe next year. How stoked are you about that?

I am doing one enormously huge show with FT in England. I haven’t heard about any tour, but we always get together drink whiskey and talk about all of the touring we will do, so sooner or later it will happen I would think.

What made you initially want to drop a full length solo album anyways? Not that I am complaining or anything,. Resolutions is amazing. Just curious
If this is something you wanted to do for a while or if you needed to take a break from the loved ones.

I needed a break and wrote some songs that weren’t best suited for the Loved Ones and one thing led to another.

Who are your major musical influences that helped mold this solo release? It is safe to say this is not a punk rock album at all.

Well really not much different, writing songs for anything always hold the same basic influences. As far as the aesthetic, I love what Conor Oberst did with his 2 solo records, what Jenny Lewis is up to, Jonathan Rice, Deer Tick, Patty Griffin, etc. Just more modern songwriting acts. Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires both are terrific as well.

I love how you have so many friends / musicians contributing on Resolutions. Was it easy to recruit everyone? Were there others that did not make it
on the record that you asked?

It was totally easy, everyone was so gracious with their time and really excited about the songs and the project. Some of my dearest friends and some amazing musicians played on it. Actually there were people who later said “why didn’t you ask me?”, not really the other way around. I’m a lucky girl.

You sister actually played organ on Resolutions. Does she happen to play in any other bands?

She hasn’t. She played some recitals as a kid and then The Loved Ones dragged her out on tour on Build & Burn. I keep telling her to get her ass into a local or cover band to keep her sharp.

I can hear many styles of music in Resolutions including a little country twang. With all of your punk rock history, I was kind of impressed to hear that your solo material was not just you and an acoustic guitar. Did you actually write all of the music in the album or did you get some assistance?

I wrote all of the songs, but when it comes to the specific bass lines, guitar parts and that kind of thing, I knew the people playing on the songs are amazing and let them just go for it. Pete and I sometimes would guide them in the direction more suitable for the vibe we were going for, but by and large their initial instinct governed the parts. Chris Gonzalez in particular wrote so many cool guitar parts. It was really amazing.

The video for “Time Will Tell” clearly pays homage to Martin Scorsese’s short The Big Shave. Where did you get the brilliant idea to add your own
spin on the film?

I went to film school for 2 semesters before quitting college. I have always been a huge fan of film and Scorsese is a cornerstone. Not sure where the idea to do that came from, but I must say, I’m glad the idea came. I love how it turned out.

Will The Loved Ones be releasing anything anytime soon?

Not sure. I have a whole record almost done, but not sure what the schedule is gonna be like.

Are you going to help Chris Gonzalez on his solo album? He still plans on recording something right?

He doesn’t need help, he’s amazing. I’m going to sing some on it I think. I am chomping at the bit to hear it finished!!

You are living the dream man and it does not look like you are slowing down. What’s next for you?

Making up songs, recording them, then playing them for people all over the world. That’s living the dream in my book, and I don’t want to slow that down.

Acoustic, Akron, Cleveland, Folk, House Show, Live Shows, Music, Punk

Jeff Rowe To Play The Gurley House On Wednesday

2 August, 2011 Brian Mc Leave a comment

So in a change of events, it looks as if I will not be heading down to the Rock Hall on Wednesday after all (sorry Cleveland!).

Why?

Well, it turns out that folk/punk rocker Jeff Roweis playing the Gurley House in Akron at the same time.

I reviewed Rowe’s debut releaselast year and loved it. This is going to be an intimate show right down the street from my hood. Why would I not go???

Honestly, I was torn for a moment as I know the show going on at the Rock Hall will be entertaining, but then I came to my senses knowing I needed to be at the Gurley House for this show on Wednesday.

Supporting acts The Ohioans and Scott Moses (Annabel, Northwestern, Comfort Clouds, etc) will join Rowe.

The fun starts around 7pm. The house show is free to all who attend but please bring cash to donate!!!

Akron, Good Times, Got Local?, House Show, Live Shows, Music, Music News, Pop, Punk, Rock, The Awesome

Daytrader & Mixtapes @ It’s A Kling Thing House – This Sunday!!!

10 February, 2011 Brian Mc 1 Comment

Screw you Valentines Day. I never liked you. You do nothing for me at all and I refuse to buy your stupid cards/flowers/crap to proclaim my love for someone special in my life on just one special day… Granted I am flying solo this year, but still. Screw you!

This weekend is going to be all sorts of red and pink and all lovey dovey and honestly, I am not into it.

Luckily for me (and those who are not suckers for V-Day) there is going to be a sweet house show this Sunday featuring two of my favorite newer acts Daytrader (from NY) and Mixtapes (from Cincinnati, OH).

The show will take place in the basement of the glorious It’s A Kling Thing House located on (you guessed it) Kling St. in tropical Akron, OH. The fun starts at 8 p.m. Local openers Northwestern will be performing their very first show, so make sure you get there early!

Daytrader features current and ex-members of Crime in Stereo, Latterman/Bridge and Tunnel/Monikers, the Motorcycle Industry and Divider. The band recently released an ever-so-addicting EP entitled Last Days Of Rome, a release that I have been listening to daily since it dropped.

I caught Daytrader just before Jesus Day last year at the Grog Shop and they killed it on stage so obviously I have high expectations seeing them again live.

Mixtapes, a band that just can’t seem to stop releasing songs (no, that is not a bad thing), hails from Cincinnati, OH and really have grown on me thanks to my other pop-punk loving friends who insisted I keep listening to them. I started loving them the moment I realized I (at my thirty-ish prime) can actually identify with their lyrics as they sing about staying home and drinking Diet Coke. Recently the band shared a two-song EP on Death To False Hope Records. The first song is a cover to some Nickeldeon show and the other acoustic song titled “Hey Baby” bashes a Strung Out / Tim Burton loving lady who sucks. Grab yourself a copy by clicking HERE.

It’s A Kling Thing House is a donation based DIY house so many sure you bring plenty of donation money to help out these hard-working bands. Merch will be sold there, BYOB, and don’t be a jerk.

Looking forward to seeing everyone out there. Sunday can not come soon enough!

Cleveland, Folk, Indie, Interview, Live Shows, Music, Music Video, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Rock, Solo, The Awesome

The Awesome: An Interview With Frank Turner

25 January, 2010 Brian Mc 2 Comments

I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am about this post. I had the pleasure today to interview Frank Turner through email and could not be happier. If anyone knows me, Frank Turner is a big deal to me. I have to admit my appreciation for me grew to unmeasurable amounts after I heard his latest release Poetry Of The Deed.

I confess, the name Frank Turner was not fresh in my mind beforehand when I heard that album. I continually smack myself in the head still as I could not put two and two together when listening to it at the time and realizing he was the guy in the UK post-hardcore, now defunct, act Million Dead. I knew of Frank Turner but prior to his last release was not aware of his solo material.

Some music fan I am right? Regardless I am a huge fan of Frank Turner so it only made sense for me to try and set up an interview with him. It was easier for us both just to do it over the email and I must say no one has ever replied faster than him.

Such a proud moment for me here. Let me take a moment and soak in all that is awesome for what I am about to share…

Ok I am better.

Enjoy!

BHP – Before I even begin, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for me. I know you have been a busy man for quite some time touring and all. How long have you actually been on tour now?

FT – Actually I just took 3 weeks off, which is the longest time I’ve gone without playing a show for about 6 years now. I did my first tour when I was 16, and have been pretty much constantly on the road since 2004. It’s great. Answering questions is no bother.

Were you been able to take any breaks prior?

I get little breaks here and there, and like I say I’ve just had quite a bit of time off (by my standards). I get very claustrophobic if I stay in the same place for more than a few days, I think I’ve rewired my brain now, haha. So when I’m not touring or in the studio, I generally find excuses to get on a train or a plane and go visit some friends or something.

I along with many of your other fans have been able to keep tabs on you thanks to your Facebook/Twitter posts. How important is it to be more personal to the fans?

What I like about stuff like Facebook and Twitter is that it pulls aside the curtain on rock’n’roll. I was never that taken with the whole business of mythologizing what it means to be a musician. I like to let people know what the realities of life on the road are like, and to point out that I’m no different from anyone who listens to my music. That’s the strength of the whole web 2.0 thing.

How stressful does it get traveling overseas from the US to the UK and beyond on any given date?

I don’t find it particularly stressful at all – in fact I find it quite liberating, and I find being in the same place quite stressful. I mean, transatlantic flights are always going to be a drag, but it’s a small price to pay. Whenever I get to go to new places I haven’t been to before solely on the basis that I play guitar, I think it’s absolutely wonderful, if a little insane. I pinch myself occasionally.

Seems like 2009 was your year to get noticed thanks to the release of Poetry Of The Deed. How does it feel to have a growing fan base?

It feels great. Without wanting to sound defensive, I’ve worked really hard in the last few years at what I do, to make the best albums and to play as many shows as I can. It’s a great feeling to see hard work pay off, and to see some of the dreams I’ve had since I was a kid start to come true. It’s as awesome as you’d imagine it to be. I’m very privileged to be in these shoes right now.

What prompted you to go into a more so acoustic solo career once Million Dead disbanded or was that something in the works prior to the band’s ending?

I think that when that band ended, in a lot of stress and recrimination and so on, I was just done with hardcore as a sound. I felt like I’d poured everything into that band, and when it didn’t work, I needed to do something different. I’d started listening to folk, country and so on quite extensively in the last few years of the band’s existence, and when it ended, well, it seemed like a good way to go. It also meant I could stay on tour without having to put a band together, without having to rely on other people, something I was very wary to do at the time.

So have you spoken to any of the members? Or were the differences that led to the band’s departure more personal and evident of a reunion never to happen?

We’re all on at least reasonable terms now. The drummer and I are firm friends. It’s all water under the bridge now – that was a very intense band to be in, but now that we’re all clear and the dust has settled, it doesn’t matter as much. There won’t be a reunion though, I’ll say that for sure. I’m just not interested in looking back like that.

Who are your musical influences these days?

These days I tend to bore into a handful of bands at a time, get really obsessed with them, and they influence my thinking about music.

Springsteen has been an overshadowing presence in my music for the last few years, but more recently I’m super-into Loudon Wainwright III. He’s fucking amazing.

What bands have you been listening to as of late?

Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Neil Young again because I’m reading a book about him. Beyond that, I’ve finally got into the latest Weakerthans album (which I’m fast starting to think is their best). Also Crazy Arm, who are coming on tour with me in Europe in March and April, and Ben Marwood, a friend of mine who puts me to shame with his excellence in songwriting.

I heard that Flogging Molly recently asked you to join them on tour. What was your initial reaction when they asked you?

I thought it was great, very flattering. And then I found out how popular they are in the States, and I was blown away. The shows we’re doing are biiiig.

Anyone else you would like to mention that you are touring with in 2010?

I’m happy that I’m going to be returning a favour in March – Chuck Ragan has taken me out in the USA and been a great friend and inspiration to me in recent years, and now he’s coming out on my next UK tour, which is a big one – 3000 people a show or so – so it feels good to be paying that one back. I’m also excited about Revival Australia – I’ve never been there before, and I get to play more shows with Tim Barry, someone I can’t get enough of right now.

Are you still going to play house shows here and there now that you are making it into the spotlight? I have a place in Cleveland you can play if you ever want to…

Sure, here and there. If you can put up 6 people (me, band and crew) after the Flogging Molly show in Cleveland, I’ll play a set there as well. Deal?

Sweet! So you still do house shows?

I still do a fair few of them – I’m playing a house show in Toronto tonight actually. It’s something that’s easy to put together, so it’s always an option.

Obviously there is more to Frank Turner than just yourself. Can you tell me about the backing band that helps you out on the album and tours?

My band [members] are amazing, and I’m really excited about them coming to the USA for the first time next month with Flogging Molly. It took me a while to get the line-up right, I wanted the best, and also a set of people who would gel together well as musicians. We finally got the chemistry right at the end of 2008, and we haven’t looked back. They’re all amazing musicians, much better than me, and they’re great at helping me get ideas out of my head. Plus they’re cool guys.

Any reason there is no actual band name like “The Frank Turner Band” or “Frank Turner and the…whatevers”?

You know, we’ve spent a long time talking about this, I really want a name for them – I don’t want them to be faceless sessionistas or whatever, they’re a band, you know? But we’ve struggled to find something everyone agrees on. The Contraband has been doing the rounds recently, and the 161 Band (a reference to where we used to rehearse and where I recorded my first album) but we’re still tussling over it. Some day.

The video for “The Road” to me was an amazing concept. 24 shows in 24 hours? How difficult was that to shoot?

Logistically it wasn’t so bad, we had a schedule and we stuck to it.

Physically it was a little more challenging. We did 8pm-8pm, and by time we hit around midday, everyone was fucking drained and unhappy, haha. It was pretty miserable for a few hours there. But we burned on through, and we made it to the end. It was a good experience.

Any plans for another music video off your latest release?

We did a tour video for the song “Poetry Of The Deed”, which you can find on YouTube. Then I think I’m making a video for the song “Isabel” when I’m in Los Angeles next week.

Last year you appeared in an alternative 90’s compilation and covered UK’s Kerbdog. Why Kerbdog? “Sally” is a great choice as a cover for a band that never really made it in the states.

I love Kerbdog, they were such an awesome band. I was actually asked to record a song for a Kerbdog tribute album, which I did, and then we decided to use it for the 90s thing as well. Great song, and apparently Cormac thought I did a good job too, which is cool.

You also covered a Bruce Springsteen song at one time. Have you heard any feedback from The Boss himself about your version of “Thunder Road”?

Not directly, though I know Brian Fallon [of the Gaslight Anthem] put a copy of the 7 inch into the Boss’s hands, so he has to be aware of its existence, haha. I’d be very excited to meet Springsteen, he’s a real hero for me.

Speaking of The Boss you are headlining a show at Asbury, NJ on Feb. 24th. Can we expect to hear about any special guests?

I wish, haha. We shall see.

How does it feel to be a part of the Epitaph family?

Great. It’s a label that I grew up with and that has an amazing roster now, so it’s a cool association. And now I’d count a lot of the people I work with as close friends. They’re very effective at promotion and so on.
So yeah, I’m very happy about it, all in all.

Can you tell me about a certain tattoo you got in Texas while at SXSW?

Haha, uhm, well… I’d been there for a few days and had some great shows, basically sealed the deal with Epitaph, had a lot of old friends around, that kind of thing, so I was in a good mood. I had one day where I had no shows to play so I got wicked drunk with the guys from Fake Problems, we went to see Van Pelt do a one-off reunion show, which was pretty emotional for me. Anyways, after about 14 hours on the booze I ended up in a tattoo parlour with Casey Lee, and we both got Texas tattoos. Seemed like a good idea at the time.. I was a little dismayed at first but I quite like it now. It has a good story with it.

Any regrets in life?

I do my best not to. I’m still sad that Million Dead never quite achieved what I thought we were capable of. Beyond that, not really.

What’s next for Frank Turner?

I’m on tour most of this year, it looks like, all over the world, which is great. I have a rough ambition to get another album recorded before the end of the year, so we can get it out in early 2011. We’ll see. The songs are coming together, it’s more a question of finding the time to record it properly. I also want to do an album of traditional English songs sometime. Keep myself busy.

Why should someone check out Frank Turner?

That’s not for me to say, really. Why not?

Catch Frank Turner playing with Flogging Molly on the Green 17 Tour on March 5th, 2010 at the House Of Blues on Euclid Ave. Rumor has it the show is sold out but if you look hard enough online you might be able to find a ticket for a decent price. I will be there.

CLICK HERE to check out Frank Turner’s blog.

I also should mention that Frank Turner is serious about the house show and I am going to be working my magic trying to find a suitable place for him and his crew to play a set as well as crash for the night. If any of you readers in the Cleveland area know of an appropriate spot where Frank Turner can play a house show please email me at broken@brokenheadphones.com. I have a few places in mind but am open to suggestions. Keep in mind the set he plans on playing would be after the Flogging Molly show. If this falls into place I will also be looking into filming it for the site.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

If you do not own Poetry Of The Deed yet you really need to have it in your collection. CLICK HERE to order it (or the album cover below) and if you are wondering why you should own it CLICK HERE to read the review I did of it last year.

Then again you can just watch the following too…

Stay tuned for possible house party featuring Frank Turner!

Oh and if you have never heard of Kerbdog and were wondering what they were all about…