So I made a translation for you
I hope it will be understandable, English is not my main language and construction of Czech sentences is more difficult. Please correct me when I'm wrong.
This magazine was issued 27.7.2012 yet before Will joined Device.
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Muzikus: Will Hunt, the mercenary in the service of EvanescenceEveryone have excuses of lack of time, but if you enjoy your job, you can find the free time much more easily. American drummer Will Hunt follows his love from band to band, naturally with a bit of luck. The list of his activities really deserves respect, but his two principal places are in bands Evanescence and Dark New Day.
What sound are you trying to achieve when playing? For example, your Ultra Cast snare is known for its volume.I want my drums to sound really persuasively. The snare shall have the right sound, not loud nor clinking, but not low and slushy. It's a matter of taste.
Is in your drum set something really unique?My recent kit from Pearl is a unique matt black version. I have a 26'' kick drum that is currently used in Evanescence but we agreed on the production of two 22'' too if I wanted to come back to kit on my own.
Do you work on your equipment and develop it? Do you discuss it with other drummers? Are you in constant contact with the developers and sponsors?I don't replace my equipment very often, perhaps only these mentioned kick drums. I pay attention rather to explore new options in sound technology. If something interests me, I'll start to study the sound closer. Technology is constantly evolving and you need to watch everything around you. I'm also interested in electronics. It is interesting to study the possibility of adding sounds to acoustic substrate.
It's more than obvious that you're loyal to the brand Zildjian cymbals. Could you provide us some details? What exactly do you use and what made you so interested in them?I play them from the age of seven. For me there is no better choice of cymbals. Previously I used a specific series Z, but currently I use fresh Z3 series. They have the same balls as Z had, but now they also have a musicality of the A series. I use 21'' Mega Bell Ride, a set of 18'' and 19'' medium crash, 19'' thrash ride (for a bit of relaxation from crashes) and 14'' hi-hats.
Vater Drumsticks have earned the same affection from you. Why?I will repeat, but I think that Vater produces the best drumsticks on the market. They always give emphasis on appearance and technology, not only in the sticks, but also other products. I use the model Virgil Donati Assault. They did for me this kit without paint, so it's such a "naked" model. Anyone who's ever picked them up, and I mean really everyone, said: "Wow, this is a great feeling." That's it, they are simply the best.
You have had many attractive collaborations: Black Label Society, Static-X, Mötley Crue and solo projects of their members (Tommy Lee, Vince Neil), etc. Which one of these collaborations do you think is most valuable to you?All of them were helpful and every time I had learned something new. I would say that the turning point came when Tommy Lee chose me as their drummer. This sent a message to the world that this dude is probably no loser. Tommy helped me in many ways as a musician but also as a friend. He was my idol in my youth, and it's an honor to call him my friend. It's truly a blessing to have him as my mentor.
The list of your activities is truly impressive. How do you manage to combine everything, especially Evanescence and Dark New Day?It's not so difficult as it may appear. I love playing and when I can devote to it in this extent, it fully satisfies me. Sometimes the obligations of my schedule collide, but fortunately we can always find a compromise within a few days to get everything fell into place.
Why do you think you became so popular drummer?That performance with Tommy Lee kicked everything, but then it was all just a hard professional work. The ability to adapt is also important, but basically I am a rock drummer. I am able to cope with many styles, but rock is my homeland. I'm not a jazz enthusiast who plays metal. As the saying goes "he does everything, but nothing really properly," it doesn't apply to me. I want to be "only" a masterful rock drummer.
Do you enjoy the role of a respected drummer and a "mercenary" or would you like to finally settle in one band?Honestly - I never planned to become a mercenary, it just happened (laughs). I would like to finally gave myself to only one thing, but in the foreseeable future there is no indication of it. Along with it, it's a blessing to play with so many interesting and talented musicians and bands. I'm not complaining! (laughs)
How did you and Troy McLawhorn ever get to Evanescence? If I'm not mistaken, you were first just the temporary help on the tour.I was recommended by my friend, producer Dave Bendeth. I just played for Vince Neil, when I got a call from the manager of Evanescence, who offered me to finish the second half of the tour with them. I took it immediately. They also asked me if i know any good guitar player and I of course immediately thought about Troy and Clint. Clint just got an offer to play in Korn as a rhythm guitarist, so Troy got it. Dark New Day were just in the preparations for the second album, so it seemed to us like a good thing to relax and find new inspiration.
Already at the first contact with a new Evanescence album it's not possible to overhear a very dominant drum sound. Have you got this really nice personal credit (I guess the size of your kick drum) or did you have a feeling in a whole band that it would benefit for the album?This album was the first album of Evanescence which was a creation of the whole band, as I'm used to it. I think that through our common jamming in the room when writing, it was natural for us to capture the real "big" sound on the album too.
Are you interested even in non-US bands? I watch American scene since my youth and therefore I can't miss this unique American feeling in all your bands.Of course. I'm not limited, I'm interested in everything that's good.
Your haircut raises the question whether your hair mind you while playing?Yeah, buddy, that's the problem of long hair. (laughs) Sometimes I rip a big wad of hair, which is f*cking annoying. But long hair just belongs to the rock music.
What feelings did you have about working with such specific personalities like Zakk Wylde?It was a great experience for me, especially in the sense that he is really a hard worker and he would quickly kicked me, if I didn't work at least as hard as he did. It took time and a lot of effort, but fortunately his workload is contagious. We had a lot of fun though. You tire out your ass, but you will enjoy it.
Let's now look at one of your main bands, Dark New Day, who currently released their second album. What do you think the band has a role on today's music market? I personally am very interested in your music, for example the song Follow The Sun Down was playing in my head for days. The market is however full of bands similar to you. How are you trying to fight against your competitors in the United States?We do not fight and do just what we like. We make clear what can be achieved in music and try to just be ourselves.
Which period of the band history do you think was the hardest?I think about a time when our label kept us in check and uncertainty about two years. We each went a different direction and we really did not have a clear plan of what will happen next. Now we are back, the situation has improved and we are trying our band to get somewhere.
The pause between the current and previous album Dark New Day was indeed considerable. So you now have the conditions in the band to work to the fullest?Definitely. If a gap appeared again we'll throw it on someone (laughs), but now it finally seems to us more promising.
How would you compare the writing process in Evanescence and Dark New Day?In both bands we have the chance to close ourselves in the rehearsal room and everyone contributes their ideas. Quality remains and flourishes, while bullshit is rejected.
How are you trying to work on yourself as a drummer? People take all sorts of lessons, experiments, but with you it would be mainly just playing...I try to play as much as possible. Such Jean-Paul from Clutch, who have played here today, reminded me the importance of training with his commitment again. I'm trying to learn from him in playing, but he deals a lot with holding sticks, his body, etc. I mainly listen to and study a lot of players from which I could learn something. I would like to learn to play faster and especially to last longer on the double-kick drum, but it takes more work. I'll deal without it, but it's such a personal challenge.
What is your main source of inspiration?Surely it would have been bands that perform something unique. I do not limit myself in any genre, and the main thing is to listen as much bands as possible. I still listen to those on which I grew up, but also lots of new things that give me a new perspective on music. And as I say, genres are not my limit. Even the rap has its charm! (laughs)
How did you even get to the drums?My father is a musician, so I wandered around music all the time. I got to the drums when I saw Kiss on TV. said to myself that I want this too! I was five ...
You obviously enjoy playing live, but aren't you already sick of folding and unfolding your drum kit because of your intensive schedule?Fortunately in every band we can afford technicians, otherwise I guess! (laughs)
As a long-time fan of Staind I wonder how you got to them and what are your impressions of your collaboration?I have known Mike Mushok (guitar) and they just needed someone to stand-in, so they called me. I really enjoyed playing with them.
Do you possibly have any plans for further collaborations?For me it's now Evanescence and Dark New Day the priority. In our band we are trying to slowly work on third album. In the upcoming months we jump on it more intensively. Clint, our guitarist, has another new band Call Me Noone, which is trying to promote. Our bassist Corey has another project Eye Empire. It happens a lot, but Evanescence is essential.
The last question I can't forget is if you have at least some free time? According to your schedule and the amount of collaboration we could say that the drums are your whole life.I have a family, so I just need to find the time for them and I'm still happy with it. I would say that my family and music are everything to me. I'm happy that I can do the work I truly love.
Text: Dan Sywala
Author's Note: This interview was conducted mainly for endless e-mails, but we also made a personal meeting at the Sonisphere Festival in Madrid, Spain. Aside from lax and quite arrogant behavior of the Evanescence's tour management, the band itself was very nice and their live performance was really worth it. Not only that Amy proved me that she can really sing live, but mainly the instrumental base gave the concert the right juice. Since then I can not call Will "only" the Evanescence drummer.
I hope it will be understandable, English is not my main language and construction of Czech sentences is more difficult. Please correct me when I'm wrong.