Sanne Goetschalckx

A couple of hours before Five Finger Death Punch would start there now famous show in the sold out 013 in Tilburg, we had the chance to speak to Jason Hook. He is the lead guitarist of the band, which he joined in 2009, replacing guitarist Darrell Roberts. For that he played as a session player for different artists, one being Alice Cooper. These adventures inspired him to make a documentary called Hired Guns. Let’s find out what he had to say.

FVM: How would you describe 5FDP in a couple words for those who don’ t know the band?

Jason Hook: Extreme, Energetic, Angry, Powerful, Forceful, Sexy, Compelling

FVM: How is the tour going so far?

Jason Hook: We started in May end everything has been going good so far. The weather was very nice. There hasn’t been any rain until now. Hopefully it can stay this way.

FVM: This tour can be seen as a festival tour. You already played in the Netherlands on the Pinkpop festival. Is there a special reason you come back for a club show in Tilburg?

Jason Hook: The way it works is when there is a gap in the tour, we try to find a venue like 013 to fill it up. We prefer to play instead of staying in our hotel rooms. I rather play than having a week holiday.

FVM: Isn’t it very tiring playing so many shows in a row?

Jason Hook: Well if you look at how many hours a normal person works during one week, let’s say 40. For me it’s more like 5 hours a week. So that is not so bad.

FVM: Is the preparation different for a club show than for the big festival stages?

Jason Hook: The thing about the festivals is that there are a lot of other bands hanging around that we know. And for me this causes more distraction. I’m like ‘hey there is Mastodon, Oh look Rammstein, …’ I don’ t want to be on stage and thinking about Rob Zombie and John Five sitting on the deck watching me play. In a club show there are less distractions.

FVM: Which kind of shows do you prefer?

Jason Hook: This is my favorite kind of show because the people that came tonight are our fans. Playing at a festival is totally different, because those people are there for three days and want to see everything. But tonight it's our fans, the ones who like 5FDP music.

FVM: "For obvious reasons we cannot talk about a new CD right now, but will you be playing any of the new songs, even though the CD hasn't been released yet?"

Jason Hook: We haven’t learned any of the new songs yet. But in the Fall we are coming back for a headline tour. And by then we hope to have mastered a couple new songs. Although you can’t get the new album because of the issues with the record label.

FVM: Let’s talk about the documentary “Hired Gun”. You were one yourself before joining 5FDP. What was that like for you?

Jason Hook: When I was working as a Hired Gun, I was getting paid to play in someone’s band. Like I have done for 2 years for Alice Cooper. It gives you an income, but you don’t have the artistic freedom you get when you’re the artist.

FVM: Is that ‘having been a Hired Gun’, also the reason you did the documentary or how did it come about?

Jason Hook: It was more about my desire to produce a movie. Aside from music, movie is my second favorite art form. The idea for the documentary started 4 years ago and costed quite some money. But it was an adventure for me and it ended up turning in to this big thing. Around 100 people were involved. It’s something I’m very proud of.
Because I started my career as a Hired Gun myself, I’ve played in the band from Alice Cooper, and now I’m more like an artist being a member of 5FDP. I know what it is like to be on both sides. And I know a lot of people in the music scene, so it was quite easy to get the incredible stories. Everyone has at least 1 unbelievable story and combining all these amazing stories gives you one fantastic documentary.

FVM: How did you even manage to work on this documentary besides your 5FDP activities?

Jason Hook: It was pretty hard on me. Because every time I had a break with the band, I had to think about the documentary or make decisions for it. So it’s been pretty hectic. But now we’re at the end and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

FVM: Is this something you would like to do again?

Jason Hook: Well I’ve learned so much about how to do this. That it wouldn’t be as difficult the second time around. But is a tremendous amount of work, so you have to be very sure that it really is what you want to do. To make a movie is a massive, long term, expensive adventure. But I would do it again.

FVM: There will be a one night only event in selected cinemas on June 29th. Can we expect something similar in Europe or do we have to wait for a dvd release?

Jason Hook: What will happen is that we have the special release in theatres on June 29th in America. But right after that it will be available in video on demand like Amazon, ITunes, …

FVM: And how does it now feel to be part of the band as a real member and not just supporting them? Do you also help in the writing process?

Jason Hook: I’m so much happier being the artist as part Five Finger Death Punch. We are in control and get to write our own music. I’m not hired to just play someone’s music. It was risky to leave my job as a Hired Gun and join Five Finger Death Punch as a full member. I got very lucky. Therefore my story is different. Not to many people get the chance to make it as an artist.

FVM: When I see you guys play live, it seems like the fans play a very important role for you. One thing that is always nice to see and that really show you care about your fans is that you guys throw a lot of guitar picks during, but also after the shows. Is that something that you all have agreed on, on doing as a band, because you see artists that throw maybe one or 2 picks per show and you can imagine that for the fans it’s a big deal if they catch one.

Jason Hook: I know that is our thing. I’m a fan myself, I love Kiss, Van Halen, Deep Purple, … I understand what it is like to really love a band. We try our best to relate to their feelings.

FVM: How important is it for an artist to have these custom guitar picks? Is it like a status symbol?

Jason Hook: That is part of it. But it is also a way to keep us entertained.

FVM: Do you often change the design of your picks and how do you decide on what is printed on these picks?

Jason Hook: I design my guitar picks myself. Every once in a while I change the design. But it depends if I think I came up with a good one or not. If I think it is a good one, I want it to last longer. The new one is my face, more like a cartoon of my profile.

FVM: The upcoming weekend you will be playing in Belgium at the Graspop festival for the second time. What can the Belgian fans expect?

Jason Hook: We will do our best to give them an amazing show and blow them away.

FVM: On Graspop there are always signing sessions. Is there a chance you and the other members of the band will be doing a one?

Jason Hook: I don’t know if we are scheduled for doing one. But it wouldn’t surprise me if we are. We often do these kind of things. So I hope so. It is always nice to meet our fans.

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