Interview with Hansel

What can I say about Hansel? Let's see, they are from Australia, they play hard rock and they wear outfits that will give you a headache if you look at them too long. Enough of my view though. I recently interviewed drummer Thruster Jones and he can tell us even more about the band.



MM-Please introduce the members of you band and what instrument everyone plays.

Jett Jones – lead vocal frontman extraordinaire
Buster Lacey – Guitar and Keys with licks like a leopard
Grind - Lead Guitar: venomous and deadly fast
Joey X Kalibre – Bass lines straight from Thor’s book of thunder
Thruster Jones – Drums that fall like a rain of molten metal

MM-What are you currently working on?

TJ-Finishing touches to our film clip for Murder 101.Writing and working on new tunes for recording later this year.

MM-Who are your musical influences?
Van Halen, Motley Crue, Guns ‘n’ Roses,Each of the members obviously has their own. Jett – Writing of Axl/Slash combo, Megadeath, Motley, Ratt.Grind into Van Halen, Poison, Dream Theatre, Iron Maiden. Buster digs Wham. Joey is into Great White, Kiss and Poison. Thruster is a punk rocker at heart, digs Bon Jovi and Celine Dion. Plus we all listen to a bit of modern stuff. We are loving Steel Panther’s ‘Death to all but Metal’.

MM-You released the “Mission to rock” EP last year. Have you had label interest since then?

TJ-Not a whimper. Wasn’t particularly expecting it in Oz initially. I don’t think our style is what most major labels are currently after. However once we’ve got our clip finished we may approach a few like minded rock/metal labels overseas. Do you know anyone who wants to sign us??? Hansel are after a good time and rock’n’roll glory. I reckon that’s a good reason to give us a wad of coin.

MM-What has been the response to “Mission to rock”?

TJ-We’re stoked. People are really digging it. The feedback has been great. Everyone wants more songs. Getting some cool reviews, plenty of folks starting to check us out over the net and we have a great, growing following at home. Can’t ask for much more from an initial EP.

MM-Do you want to record a full length next? Do you have any new material written?

TJ-Jett is always writing some crap for us to sift through and pull out the good bits from the garbage. Seriously though we’ve got plenty of hot new tunes, definitely a full albums worth and we’re always writing. We’re aiming for an edgier sound this time - a little more metal, guitar harmonies etc but still catchy. It’s better for us to record another EP. We want to maintain the production quality that we achieved with ‘Mission to Rock’ which we felt sounded great. Since we’re still independent and self funded it’shard putting up double the cash to record full length. So much of the budget has to go to film clip, merch , website, travel etc. So EP it is.

MM-I have to ask about the clothes. Tell us a little about where you get your outfits and why you wear what you do.A friends mom was telling me (Jett) about how she felt all modern bands were so droll and boring to look at even if they sounded good. Everyone is so focused on looking individual that they all look the same. I totally agreed So, when we started up Hansel and decided to go for that big hair metal/ glam sound we felt it appropriate to look just as loud as we wanted our music played – LOUD. We make our own gear, because for the most part you just can’t buy the kind of crap that we wear.



MM-What are some of the more memorable shows that you have played so far?

TJ-We played a show up the coast in a small town. It was a classic. I don’t think they were quite expecting us. The crowd was mostly geriatric; grey beards and the like. We were met with dead silence initially So we rocked out a little harder and brought out the rocker in a few of them. Thankfully we were met with drunken pats on the back at end of the gig and the odd young lady telling us of their pubic Mohawks. Great success and good times.

MM-I know that you have a few local dates coming up soon. Do you have any extensive plans to play in the upcoming months?

TJ-Our aim is to release a string of dates in different states and play with mates through the second half of the year. Putting it together is a slow and tedious process. Meanwhile we’ll tick along.

MM-Have you played out of your home country yet?

TJ-Nope.

MM-What is the music scene like in your area? Are there many great clubs?Is there much of a hard rock/metal scene?



TJ-We feel like we’re seeing the end of the Jurassic period in which alot of the great venues who did metal are becoming extinct for example the Lucky. There are a few gems left in town like the Cambo and the Lass. There is a definitely strong rock/metal community here (Newy)too.

MM-If someone came up to you and asked why should I listen to Hansel then what would you tell them?

TJ-We have a couple of responses depending on the vibe.
1. We’d like to introduce you to a little thing called Rock ‘n’ Roll
2. Because babe, you’re smoking hot and you deserve the best.
3. Because if you don’t then you’ll be wearing your ass for your face for a very long time buddy.
4. You should have something to listen to while I do your mamma
5. We’d like you to tell us if it blows and if so then demonstrate just how on one or all members of Hansel.

MM-In what areas do you think your band needs to improve? What do you hope to accomplish in 2009?

TJ-Thruster is having plastic surgery to improve his butt ugly face. We always aim to improve the live show. We want it tighter, brighter and as much energy as possible. A happy crowd means a happy Hansel. This year we aim for a formal tour and to build an audience outside of home so we can tour internationally.

MM-Pick the band from each of the following pairs that you prefer and tell why you picked them.
TJ-
Bon Jovi or Whitesnake
Bon Jovi because they got more chicks (although Whitesnake may want to challenge that).

Guns and Roses or Motley Crue
Motley Crue for their total commitment to the hair metal sound and style. Also because of their well mannered, courteous and considerate nature.

KISS or Van Halen
Van Halen – Go Eddie

AC/DC OR Rose Tattoo
Rose Tattoo. Because Jett is as short as Angry Anderson but happier because he has way more hair.

MM-Is there anything else that you would like to say about your band or your music?

TJ-Hansel are having a great time doing our thing. We totally love rock and we love that people are getting into us. We’re doing it as we please and stoked that we can.

www.myspace.com/hanselmusic