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East Nashville, TN based Hard Rock band Voltagehawk have got into the Holiday spirit with a sexy, heavy re-interpretation of everyone’s least favorite Christmas retail standard, the 1994 Mariah Carey award-winning “All I Want for Christmas is You”, stating – “We all know this song sucks, so we made a version that doesn’t.”
Here’s the lowdown on Voltagehawk from band members Dan Fenton (vocals and guitar) and Chase Arocha (lead guitar)
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
Dan: Voltagehawk began about 3 years ago as a return to the garage. Jarrad James (drums) and I (Dan Fenton, vocals and guitar) were both in other projects at the time but found a kindred desire to create something new, without the trappings of specific influence. Creative freedom. Later we met Tyler Boone (bass) and he introduced us to Chase Arocha (lead guitar) the rest is history.
Chase: The band started with Jarrad James wanting to create a jam with like-minded musicians, we had all played in other groups, me and Tyler were playing for hire for quite a few different singers and groups. We didn’t feel creatively happy in those environments and needed a change so Tyler first went to jam with them. They had a show booked that Tyler couldn’t make and asked me to fill in on bass, the show went so well they said they wished I could join the band but already have a bassist, of course, I then revealed that I was a guitar player just filling in the gig. So from then on, I was in the band, playing guitar, and we have been kickin’ ass together for about 3 years now.
How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
Dan: Like zealot priests screaming warnings of doomsday to the intoxicated masses. Show was fucking rad.
Chase: Our first gig was hilarious and such a blast. I feel so honored always to be apart of this group, everyone in the band is so talented and hard-working. But when you see them on stage, that’s when it really shines through on a level I still am awed by. Dan is so good at joking with the crowd and making a whole room feel like we are all in one big hive mind for the whole set. Along with the theatrics of Jarrad, Tyler, and I. I knew from the first show that this was something special.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourself?
Dan: Expect a band that drank their own Kool-Aid. We’ve dedicated a lot of time to exploring the psychology of sound, the structure of the hero’s journey. The music is aggressive but only for the good of the song. Tension and release. Alchemy.
Chase: I think people should expect nothing and be surprised! I feel we are just musicians who genuinely mean what we say and always hope that same authenticity shines through in our music. We are people concerned for those who need help in the world and the ones willing to stand and scream in the face of all of those promoting oppression and those lacking empathy.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
Dan: That’s not for us to say. If you get it, then you get it, if you don’t that is fine as well. The music we create is meant to be an experience, we’re all very conscious of the fact that everyone has their particular taste. Our goal is to be us authentically ourselves as we can be. We’re weird fucking dudes who love to laugh, but also have a sincere desire to see mankind question reality as it is presented. Our music gives you another reality.
Chase: I truly believe there is room for every one of us in the arts to make a living and find an audience. I think the key is just being consistent in your output. Always be writing but always be engaging which those who enjoy what you create.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Dan: We are preparing to release our 13 song space epic -Electric Thunder- We spent a good part of 2019 tracking, mixing, and mastering this conceptualized space odyssey in Berry Hill at the famed -Electric Thunder Studios- with our producer Geoff Pillar. We plan to begin releasing singles at the top of 2021.
Chase: Well, I’m always doing my own recordings and videos on my YouTube and Instagram @chasetakepics for Voltagehawk as well as our socials. We try to share what it’s like being a professional musician for those wondering but also just making something creative out of some music or imagery that we love. Either way, we are always creating and sharing.
What band out there at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Dan: Run The Jewels, IDLES, Maybe Bummer, Deftones. We fit the groove even if the vibes are different the heart of the sound is the same.
Chase: A dream for me would be something like System of a Down or Rage Against the Machine but more than anything I would love to tour with Mr.Bungle! Mike Patton is a huge hero of mine.
Who do you feel is the next band to break out?
Dan: I don’t predict the future for less than $5.
Chase: There are so many it’s so hard to name! Maybe a band like Hedras who just came out with an album I would say is a band doing some amazing stuff.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
Dan: I know Jarrad Tyler and I picked up instruments in church and school first. Then each of us on different ends of the map started playing in bands. I remember my first show at a coffee house in Kings Ferry NY. I stared at the floor the whole show. But I loved it.
Chase: My parents bought me a Cello from a pawn shop when I was 11 and I knew that music just seemed to make sense for me. I learned quickly but moved a lot so I kind of stopped for a couple of years. Then I moved to central Florida and saw this riot girl band called Toxic Black Rose at a YMCA, they were screaming there heads off and jumping all over the place, scaring everyone in the audience who expected a fun little kids band. I knew right then, this is what I want to do forever. I quickly joined a band after that and have been playing ever since.
We have recently had the tragic passing of Eddie Van Halen, do you have a particular favorite Van Halen track?
Dan: That’s a difficult question. Eruption is definitely up there.
Chase: Eddie Van Halen meant a lot to me as a kid, I’m a big two-handed tapping player and I first learned that technique from him of course like so many others had. If I had to pick something it would be “Ain’t Talking Bout Love” but it’s hard to say there are so many!
AC/DC – Brian or Bon? Or both?!
Dan: Bon bro.
Chase: Both dude!!! I don’t like comparing like that. The fact that AC/DC had such an incredible singer and frontman who tragically passed, to then have a guy show up who sounds just like him like that is fucking amazing!
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Dan: Primus and Mastodon at the War Memorial in Nashville.
Chase: Probably the Pilgrimage Festival seeing the Foo Fighters which was one of the best I’ve ever seen!
What current issue are you particularly passionate about?
Dan: Social issues, race, equality, poverty, empathy, unity understanding. All of it. The fucking planet, I mean, the list is long. We are not naive, thinking we will create some shock wave of truth that changes the hardened minds of millions (that would be cool). We just want to be the proton in a mushroom trip giving you an alternative perspective.
Chase: I don’t think there is much other that people are passionate about right now than the pandemic. It’s all-consuming because not only has it killed thousands and changed all of our lives, it completely destroyed our industry for a time.
There is great debate at the minute about whether or not musicians should use their platform to talk about political issues, some for and some against. Music has always been a form of protest, surely an artist has just as much right as the next person to offer an opinion? Or should they “just stick to the music”?
Dan: Fuck what anyone says you should do. Why is this a debate? If you are willing to talk about issues and then back it up with action in your world then yes. People care so much about what society believes artists should and shouldn’t do. Say what you want and deal with the consequences that follow. This structuring of art is what leads to bullshit. Just create and no one is to say what you can and cannot write about or stand for.
Chase: That is our job as artists to reflect the world around it, and to have opinions is to be a person who thinks. I don’t agree that people should just shut up and stick to the music, why the hell do you think we write, it’s to have our voice heard.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Dan: Maurice Ravel, Hans Zimmer, The Never Ending Story. Donna Summer.
Chase: The worst thing to me is some person who plays in one genre of music and then only listen to said genre. I have so many weird albums in my collection and I love them so much. From Kamasi Washington to Behemoth I love it all! I guess if I could pick one people wouldn’t expect is maybe both of the Trolls movie albums. They are such good arrangements of classic songs and the combo of Justin Timberlake and Anderson Paak is incredible.
Who would you class as an underrated songwriter?
Dan: The band Me Without You. Amazing lyrics.
Chase: I mean I still don’t think Sturgill Simpson gets enough credit for how incredible and different each of his albums are.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021?
Dan: Stay alive mutha fuckas!
Chase: I am also a player on Broadway in Nashville, who we feel very lucky being some of the very few musicians still getting to play for people in this time. We do things safely and distanced so I’m just appreciative to still get to work this year and will keep doing that and writing and working on our Twitch channel streaming all sorts of fun stuff for our fans!
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
Dan: Very, come check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and all streaming platforms. Or head to Voltaghawk.com
Chase: We are always on our socials, we are on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, and all the ways we can to reach people. All of them are under Voltagehawk!
