Interview w/ Her Death and After
Hurdcore.com is still working as an internet resource with tentacles stemming from our web-based operations that bring our audience a unique peek into the entrails of local music. For our latest local artist interview, we call to your attention an Oregon grown local group reading to bring rock to a neighborhood near you. Obscure poetry and five dudes from Medford (Oregon) residing for over a year in a living room somewhere near Oregon State University form the petri dish and catalyst for the musical life spawn known as Her Death and After. HDAA has endured lineup changes, interstate relocation and the financial constraints of aspiring artists to continue their run at making a mark in the music world.
Your name, Her death and After, is a nod to a Thomas Hardy poem of the same title written in 1898. A poem, as you say, that exemplifies the inevitability of beauty after tribulation, could you elaborate some on that concept?
HDAA Our band came together in the fall of 2006 with a totally different line up. Along the way we’ve had a lot of personal struggles as friends and band mates. As a result of all of our conflicts, Her Death and After is our “beauty after tribulation”. We have finally assembled five guys who share the same goals and are willing to sacrifice anything and everything to make our dreams come true. Even when that has meant the whole band living on a friends living room floor for a year.
Have the writings of Hardy always been a part of your lives or did this poem just happen to resonate at a specific time in life?
HDAA At first, when the name was chosen we didn’t realize how much it would ultimately mean to us, but as time has passed the meaning behind “Her Death And After” has become more and more personal to the band and ourselves as individuals. So yes! We guess you could say it did resonate at a specific point in time but everyday since then we come to realize how well the name really fits our band.
The current persona of Her Death and After was formed in 2007 from the involvement and death of several other ventures. What is different about the current HDAA that sets itself up for a long term run at making a mark locally and nationally?
HDAA Well first off, we don’t suck anymore and of course our stamina in the bedroom has increased….by about five minutes. Ha! but really, one of the biggest reasons we can see ourselves making a long term run is because of a lot of improvement on communicating with each other. Like we said, we spent a year living in a two bedroom apartment and we’ve really learned each others boundaries. It pretty much all comes down to the fact that we’ve grown up. We are stronger than ever and we’re all here to see this band through no matter what gets thrown our way.
For those who are unfamiliar with your set, how would you describe yourself? What can we expect from a Her Death and After show?
HDAA Super sweet dance moves, bad jokes and Sean.
Her Death and After is based out of Medford (Oregon), was in Corvallis for a time and now back in Medford? What brought you to Corvallis and what takes you back to Medford?
HDAA Our drummer Andrew was accepted into OSU and we knew that if we didn’t follow him to Corvallis the band wouldn’t be able to continue. So one by one we all moved up. As time went by we discovered all the perks of being on our own. The freedom, the nice practice space and being secluded from all distractions back in Medford. After a year of writing and partying we found out that a huge part of being in a band requires money that we didn’t have. We looked for jobs and found nothing. So we had a band discussion about what our next step should be. The conclusion was that Medford was our only option because of the fact that it’s our hometown and we knew it would be the best financial step for the band.
Do you notice any difference in the local music scenes from Medford to Corvallis and even Corvallis to Portland? How often do you play locally?
HDAA It’s hard to say because Medford and Corvallis have two very different vibes. But we can say that the Medford music scene is growing and we know that we will end up growing with it. It’s pretty much the ultimate foundation for our band right now. As far as Portland goes we don’t have much experience in that music scene.
Our local and state wide shows are going to be growing exponentially in the very near future.
You recently parted ways with your guitarist (and Kevin’s younger brother?), Mike, have you been able to recruit and fill that position or does HDAA proceed as a fourpiece?
HDAA We recently filled that position with one of our long time friends, Aaron Hammericksen, who thankfully for us also happens to be an outstanding musician.
The bands most recent recording is the Living Room Wars EP, is the recording out yet or still in the works? Is this your first recording, what did you learn from this process of being in the studio?
HDAA Living Room Wars is our 4 song EP that you can find on our myspace! This isn’t the first time we’ve recorded but Living Room Wars was our first professional recording. We practiced a lot before we headed into the studio so the process went very smoothly. One positive lesson we learned from that experience was that having legit recordings gets you so much more respect. So we recommend spending the extra money to sound professional.
What are some of your early influences that got you into music? Who were some of the influences that helped you launch HDAA?
HDAA Almost all of the band shares a very similar music background. Blink-182 was probably one of the most significant influential bands for us. As far as HDAA goes we didn’t have any certain bands in mind while writing our new material. Our sound has evolved from all of our personal inspirations.
Where are you currently grabbing inspiration from and how has this been affecting your music?
HDAA New opportunities, new albums and [other activities]. That seems to be workin’ for us.
Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
HDAA www.myspace.com/herdeathandafter
What do you enjoy most about the local music scene? Who have been some of the funnest bands and venues to play with locally?
HDAA The Broadway Waxers Music Hall in Coos Bay [Oregon] was an awesome venue! As far as bands go we recently played a show with a band called ” Hit em’ where it hurts” from Chico [California] and they were really awesome guys.
What are the weapons (insturments) of choice HDAA?
HDAA Present Gear – Kevin: AKG mics; Sean: Jackson DXMG, Peavey 5150 II and Marshall Cab; Aaron: Ebanez RG, Peavey 6505 + (half stack); Josh: Mark Hoppus signature precision bass;
Andrew: 4 piece Pearl kit export series, 18 inch A custom fast crash, 21 inch Zildjian Aedius, 18 in Zildjain Oriental China, 13 in aax zildajian hi hats. 23 in A custom ping ride (i wish)
Favorite place to eat in Medford? If we were coming to a show in your hometown of Medford, and arrived a little early what is one place/site in town that is a must see before departing?
HDAA Muchas Gracias! we recommend the chicken fajita burrito!!!
What have been some of the most important lessons for you as an aspiring artist? Any words of wisdom for those wanting to pursue their dreams of music stardom?
HDAA We still have a long way to go and a lot more to learn but communication is one of the biggest things we’ve learned keeps our band together.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
November 28, 2009 10PM – Rooftop Show Downtown Medford. $5 – message HDAA for show details.
Her Death and After will be at Riley’s Bar & Grill in Albany, Oregon with fellow hurdcore alumn Abandon the Shore on Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 7PM ALL AGES!!! 124 SW Broadalbin St, Albany, Oregon 97321
November 16th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
These guys are bad ass. I’ve seen kevin and andrew perform many times with their old band “at worlds end”, and HDAA is #$%&ing outstanding. I find myself just sitting on their myspace and doing a sexy dance to living room wars.