Donnie Hardin Interview from 2004

Donnie formerly of Rampant, POA, 1080, Deface, and now with ENGRIND was willing to answer 20 Questions, so check it out now....

1. You are singing with Engrind now. How is that going and are you currently
involved with any other bands?

It is a dream doing vocals for Engrind and it is going great! I played my
first show with them at Headliners at Attitude Fest and it was an amazing
feeling. Our next show is New Year's Eve at Pappys with Kallus, Incursion,
Flatlyne, Absence of Faith, Lust 4 Hate.
As far as other bands on occasion I work on some stuff in the studio with
"Transcend" with Nick Houpt on drums and Jon Kinninmoth on guitar. I think
they are looking for a bass player still. But every now and then I go over
and record some vocals.


2. What singers have had the most influence on you?

Well the whole reason I even started doing vocals was because Sepultura's
"Roots" cd came out and I could sound just like Max and a friend of mine
made me do it all the time. And thats why I sound like I do. Other than
Max...I'd have to say Phil Anselmo (Pantera, SJR , Chino Moreno (Deftones),
Rob Flynn (Machine Head), Mike Patton (Faith No More, whatever bands he is
in at the time).

3. If you could go on tour as an opening band for a national act, who would
you most like to open for and hang out with for a few months ?

Well my dream is to play Ozzfest, thats my ultimate goal in life. So I
guess I could sat Ozzy but I know I wouldnt ever see him and who knows if
he'll even be there from now on. So other than Ozzy I would have to
say...Soulfly. It's Max. And now our local boy Bobby Burns is playing
bass..fuckin awesome.

4. What local bands are the most over-rated, which bands deserve more
respect ?

Simple..the most over-rated local bands are cover bands. Although it's fun
and really I have nothing against it, the creativity factor is out the
window. And I believe it takes a lot more musicianship to write something
original. Like I said I have nothing against any cover bands but that they
get a lot more support from local bars, therefore I feel they in-turn do not
give proper respect to "original" local acts.

5. What show was the most fun for you, and what show was the worst ?

Man this is tough. I always had the most fun playing with national acts
of course, but other than that when I was in Rampant we went down to
Nashville and played a show, there were like 400 people there, none of them
knew who we were but they loved us. That was a really cool feeling. But
right at the top of the list is a show I just played "Attitude Fest" at
Headliners, my first show with Engrind. That was a great night.


6. What musician would you most like to meet ? Have you met anyone famous
that you were impressed with ?

The most down to earth musician I have ever met was Billy from Biohazard
(guitar, vocals) He took us in (Point Of Anger) let us stay at his crib, and
recorded our EP in Biohazards studio right under the Brooklyn Bridge. He
taught me a lot really in a very short time. And he even did a part on our
cd in the song (Weaken The Power) he does the chorus with me..that I wrote.
IM proud of that moment. lol. Another memorable moment was when me and Mike
(POA) were riding in his convertible at night in NYC. And I remember be in
awe of the World Trade Center hovering over us with all its lights on. I
knew it was a precious moment but didn't realize it was that precious. That
was in July 2000. Billy was the shit.


7. Last of Donnie Hardin...

1.) Last girl you kissed ? I'm not going to say. She might not remember. And she might get mad. lol.

2.) Last cd that you bought ? downthesun

3.) Last good movie you have seen ? Requiem for a Dream (i think that's the
name)

4.) Last book you have read ? "It Doesn't Take a Hero"...Norman Schwarzkopf
I'm fascinated with War and the generals who lead them.

5.) Last good concert you have seen ? This is funny because it was a band I hate. Or I thought I hated. I took my niece to see Godsmack at the Palace, I was impressed by the showmanship. Sully really is an awesome showman, I don't care how much I get bashed for saying it. I still don't like the music that much, but hey they rocked. lol. Although nothing tops an Ozzfest show.
Best ever was 1998 I think when Tool played at Deer Creek (Classic) the sod flying through the air is such a great memory.


8. What kind of equipment do you own? Is there any particular processor or
effects that you like to sing through?


I have nothing just my voice. Dave has a PA and mics for us to practice
with. Eventually though I want to get a good mic pre-amp to use live.


9. 18. What advice would you give to any musicians just starting out in the
local scene ?

Stick with it. There will be good times and bad times. People trying to
hate on ya, everything. Just be stubborn and stick with it. Support the
scene by making friends with the scene. Eventually it feels like a big
family. Dont try to be like the musicians who think they are too good to
mingle within the community and go to shows. Being a fan is the most
important part of being a true musician.

10. I will list some people and you give your thoughts...

1.) Chris Volz - awesome singer.

2.) Susan Weber - Don't know her really well but has always been cool to
me.

3.) Phil Anselmo - He is an icon, wish he would straighten up.

4.) Frank Green - Use to beat up on me when I was a little kid. Great
guy..awesome bass player.

5.) Sailor (MOV) - One of the best frontmen in the region, knows how to put
on a show.

6.) Rachel Enriquez - Amazing. Artistic. Beautiful. Warm hearted, caring as
a person, awesome friend, awesome singer!

7.) Jay (Blyss) - Jay is the shizznit. Has tremendous desire and strong
work ethic as a musician, good guy. He deserves success.

8.) Dave Wathen - Brilliant drummer, super cool guy. Awesome playing in a
band with one of my favorite drummers around.

9.) Travis Meeks - Really good songwriter.

10.) Van Avery - Misunderstood, GREAT person. Awesome vocalist!

11.) Ozzy Osbourne - Ozzy is god.

12.) Jessica (from Tornacade) - Somebody hook me up. Let me wipe the drool
from my face. Gorgeous, fantastic singer.

11. You were hanging out with Rachel Enriquez for a while. Do you two still
hang out and were you dating at any point ?

Me and Rachel have and always will be super close. We hang out every chance
we get. She is an incredible person and has helped me when nobody else
could. I think we will always have that closeness to each other.



12. I will list some bands and you rate how psyched you would be to sing for
them...On a scale of 1 - 10.


1.) Pantera - 10+ legends

2.) P.O.D. - 10+ legends

3.) Sepultura 10+ legends

4.) Metallica - 10+ legends

5.) Decapitated Cattle - 5 they are ok

6.) Tantric -2 really bad idea

7.) Sugar Ray -7 even worse idea.

8.) BioHazard - 10+ legends

9.) Outspoken - +2 probably wouldn't work very well, good music though.

10.) Cradle of Filth - my grandma has it covered.

11.) Speed of Sound - not sure who they are

12.) Dimmu Borgir - +8 would be quite interesting

13. In the last year has Donnie Hardin...

1.) Seen BJ Abner, Rachel Enriquez or Jessica from Tornacade naked ?

No haven't seen BJ naked (don't want to) nor have I seen Rachel..and as far as
Jessica..I am working on getting that done!

2.) Thought about buying rolling papers in bulk to save money ?

Well I quit smoking weed, but I've thought about that before. lol.

3.) Kissed Rachel Enriquez ? Who's business would that be?

4.) Delivered a pizza ? No

5.) Gone to the dentist ? Believe it or not..yes. lol. Despite what reports
from Mexcan Dentist may say.

6.) Signed an autograph - yep signed 2 Saturday.


14. What are your 5 favorite CDs or all-time ?

Pantera - Vulgar Display Of Power
Alice in Chains - Dirt
Slayer - Seasons in the Abyss
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Korn - Korn

15. What are your 5 favorite movies of all-time ?

Goodfellas
Platoon
Appocalypse Now
Scarface
Pulp Fiction


17. You are chosen to be on a new reality show, you will be on a deserted
island for 90 days. You will have a nice place to stay with plenty to eat
and drink. You get to choose 3 people to go with you. 2 of them must be
girls and one must be a guy. Who would you ask to go ?

Well I'm leaving out several I would want to take but I would want Jessica
from Tornacade and Rachel Enriquez. I have to take a guy? Hmm. I guess I'd
take Nick (Incursion, InTheClear) so I can have someone to get drunk with.


18. What would be the best present you could hope to get for Christmas this
year?

For all my friends to come to Pappy's New Years Eve and all the females to
wear red thongs.


19. Who has had the biggest influence on you as a person?

As a person...wow another tough one. There are so many people that are
really good friends to me. But my father is the person who is looking out
for me all the time keeping some-what sane. Both my parents have always
been so helpful and I like to help people because of the way I was brought
up. I admire them both for teaching me such a valuable lesson.


20. I forgot one question so, techincally Donnie asked and answered the last one.

StarSixtyNiners [12:03 AM]: i have one question left to ask
TheVilleScreamer [12:03 AM]: ok
StarSixtyNiners [12:03 AM]: i found a blank
TheVilleScreamer [12:03 AM]: oops

StarSixtyNiners [12:04 AM]: ok, i have to think of a good one, any suggestions ?
TheVilleScreamer [12:04 AM]: umm.
TheVilleScreamer [12:04 AM]: you can ask about jessica again
TheVilleScreamer [12:04 AM]: lol
TheVilleScreamer [12:05 AM]: i'll talk about her all day
StarSixtyNiners [12:05 AM]: ok any girl in the 502 scene that you would like to ask out but haven't ?
TheVilleScreamer [12:05 AM]: Most definitely Jessica from Tornacade.
TheVilleScreamer [12:06 AM]: haha
TheVilleScreamer [12:06 AM]: hows that?

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Let's recap...Donnie wants to fuck Jessica.

Thanks Donnie !

Donnie gets 5 out of 5 stars for his 20 Question Interview. êêêêê