Interview with Dustin Back and Eric Harmon of Reverend Jack
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Dustin and Eric! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it is greatly appreciated.
CV:
What do you feel sets the band apart from other bands, especially those of
similar sound and style? What’s the specific allure your sound and
style has that has people taking notice?
Dustin Back: I believe our sound sonically has something for everyone! There is hard rock, southern rock, blues, 80s Metal, and even some soft rock elements all compacted into one very well put together package.
Dustin Back: I believe our sound sonically has something for everyone! There is hard rock, southern rock, blues, 80s Metal, and even some soft rock elements all compacted into one very well put together package.
CV: For
any band, dynamics is key to grabbing an audience's attention. What do you feel
is the main ingredient to having such a captivating dynamic and being able to
bring something more to the music?
Eric Harmon: In regards to dynamics, I find that the smoother the transition and the less abrasive it is, the more power it holds. Much like how something out of place in a movie, even the tiny details, can break the immersion. It's the moments when you get lost in each part as they flow into the next that allow you to use the dynamics to let the audience feel what you're trying to express. I like a high octane song through and through as much as the next guy, but some songs and some messages require the extra texture that dynamics provide and the best songwriters are masters of transition and dynamics.
Eric Harmon: In regards to dynamics, I find that the smoother the transition and the less abrasive it is, the more power it holds. Much like how something out of place in a movie, even the tiny details, can break the immersion. It's the moments when you get lost in each part as they flow into the next that allow you to use the dynamics to let the audience feel what you're trying to express. I like a high octane song through and through as much as the next guy, but some songs and some messages require the extra texture that dynamics provide and the best songwriters are masters of transition and dynamics.
CV:
How would you describe the ultimate musical experience
for your fans? And how does the band go about creating that musical
vision, while generating the impact the band wants to have on its
audience?
Dustin: The ultimate experience is to see us live and feel the energy. All the time we try to convey that message to our audience and fans…by always keeping them on their toes.
Dustin: The ultimate experience is to see us live and feel the energy. All the time we try to convey that message to our audience and fans…by always keeping them on their toes.
CV: The
music business has always been one that regardless of who you are, where you
came from or where you've been, you can either sink or swim. Does this
type of realism have any effect on how the band drives itself to succeed?
Eric: I think that answer differs for Dustin and myself. Dustin is much more of a dreamer and still has this child-like wonder about him. It's part of the beauty that is to be his friend and musical counterpart. I'm more of a realist and never truly expected the type of success we've achieved to this point. Much of that success is due to very fortunate circumstances that we have found ourselves in. I don't mean to imply a lack of talent or skill, but there are many talented and skilled musicians out there who no one will ever hear of. It requires quite a bit of preparation and ability to achieve any kind of success, but without a little luck or very good circumstances it's definitely a difficult venture. I've heard it boiled down to a phrase I'm particularly fond of…”Luck is just when preparation meets opportunity.”
Eric: I think that answer differs for Dustin and myself. Dustin is much more of a dreamer and still has this child-like wonder about him. It's part of the beauty that is to be his friend and musical counterpart. I'm more of a realist and never truly expected the type of success we've achieved to this point. Much of that success is due to very fortunate circumstances that we have found ourselves in. I don't mean to imply a lack of talent or skill, but there are many talented and skilled musicians out there who no one will ever hear of. It requires quite a bit of preparation and ability to achieve any kind of success, but without a little luck or very good circumstances it's definitely a difficult venture. I've heard it boiled down to a phrase I'm particularly fond of…”Luck is just when preparation meets opportunity.”
CV:
In your opinion, is there any middle ground for a band or is it a do or die
climate in today's music industry?
Dustin: I truly believe that there is no middle ground. You either give it all or not at all. Go all in or fold. Give everything 1000%.
Dustin: I truly believe that there is no middle ground. You either give it all or not at all. Go all in or fold. Give everything 1000%.
CV:
How would you describe the band's internal energy? Does the band’s outward
appearance align with its true inward nature from your perspective?
Eric: I would say for Dustin it's much of the same. He's a very high energy person all the time. He's also very charismatic and quite flashy. Anyone who's seen Dustin on stage probably has a good idea of who he is off stage. I tend to be quite a bit more lively on stage in comparison to my off stage persona. Not putting on a face but just another side of the coin that tends to be my personality. Now I'm still nowhere near the explosion of energy on stage that is Dustin Back. He's a pure showman with a guitar in his hands, but when I put my guitar down I enjoy a little stage cardio.
Eric: I would say for Dustin it's much of the same. He's a very high energy person all the time. He's also very charismatic and quite flashy. Anyone who's seen Dustin on stage probably has a good idea of who he is off stage. I tend to be quite a bit more lively on stage in comparison to my off stage persona. Not putting on a face but just another side of the coin that tends to be my personality. Now I'm still nowhere near the explosion of energy on stage that is Dustin Back. He's a pure showman with a guitar in his hands, but when I put my guitar down I enjoy a little stage cardio.
CV:
What's at the core of the band's songwriting approach? Are there
certain elements that are considered when a song begins to take form and
evolves?
Dustin: Songs can't be rushed, they have to be felt and inspired. That's usually when the best material happens. But the best thing is inspiration can strike at anytime and I love that.
Dustin: Songs can't be rushed, they have to be felt and inspired. That's usually when the best material happens. But the best thing is inspiration can strike at anytime and I love that.
CV:
Do you allow things to just happen when writing; seeing where a song goes, or
is there a certain course of action and structure you keep a song on, thus,
essentially making it destined to achieve its overall potential?
Eric: It's generally a mixture of both. There's many times when one of us would start playing something and we just roll with it. Other times songs have a planned direction from the beginning, but when something just takes us in the moment it usually just feels right. Dustin and I have very different writing processes and tend to write individual parts and bring them together. When we jam it just comes together on its own with a unique blend of both of us.
Eric: It's generally a mixture of both. There's many times when one of us would start playing something and we just roll with it. Other times songs have a planned direction from the beginning, but when something just takes us in the moment it usually just feels right. Dustin and I have very different writing processes and tend to write individual parts and bring them together. When we jam it just comes together on its own with a unique blend of both of us.
CV:
Do you feel how the fans and critics describe the band’s music accurately
reflects how you would describe the band’s music?
Dustin: It's not too far off. I've heard some call us an 80s inspired band or a southern rock inspired band and yes though we have those elements, I consider us a melodic hard rock band but that's the wonderful thing about music there is no right or wrong answer.
Dustin: It's not too far off. I've heard some call us an 80s inspired band or a southern rock inspired band and yes though we have those elements, I consider us a melodic hard rock band but that's the wonderful thing about music there is no right or wrong answer.
CV:
Walk us through a typical show for the band...what can fans who have never
seen you perform expect?
Eric: We tend to be fairly spontaneous people. One show can seem very different from the next and some of the time we can certainly be loose cannons. Game plans have changed mid show on multiple occasions. Dustin and I have done so many loose jam nights before that at this point it's just a look and we're off on to something new. Quick set list change, an impromptu 10 minute guitar solo, drum solos in the middle of songs, the occasional vocal solo. I think the one constant may be that any night you'll see Dustin being a madman on stage having the time of his life and both of us playing like it's the last show we'll ever play. And that's more or less the best way to sum up any show. We play every show like it's our last.
Eric: We tend to be fairly spontaneous people. One show can seem very different from the next and some of the time we can certainly be loose cannons. Game plans have changed mid show on multiple occasions. Dustin and I have done so many loose jam nights before that at this point it's just a look and we're off on to something new. Quick set list change, an impromptu 10 minute guitar solo, drum solos in the middle of songs, the occasional vocal solo. I think the one constant may be that any night you'll see Dustin being a madman on stage having the time of his life and both of us playing like it's the last show we'll ever play. And that's more or less the best way to sum up any show. We play every show like it's our last.
CV:
What more can fans look forward to seeing coming from the band?
Dustin: Hopefully some new and exciting opportunities to show the world what we can do!
Dustin: Hopefully some new and exciting opportunities to show the world what we can do!
CV:
Thank you again Dustin and Eric
for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the
best and continued success.
Check out Reverend Jack at:
Official: www.reverendjack.com
Official: www.reverendjack.com
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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