If it was up to me this interview would be longer and with me and my crew sitting around a table at the local Sherri's...considering a chunk of HEADHUNTER consist of members of my crew back in Spokane. We would be loud and annoying and pissing our waitress off more then likely....This gives ya' a brief insight into HEADHUNTER. Check out not only their site but Tattoos By Gus!
http://www.myspace.com/gusballman
http://www.myspace.com/headhunter509
Frankie Underground: When did headhunter get started and who is in the current line-up?
Gus: We started almost 2 years ago...the only original member in the band is me (gus) and we've gone through many lineup changes to the group of guys we have now. Seth, chris, josh, josh2,gus,
FU: You were on the verge of calling it quits just a handfull of weeks ago what happened to keep the band going?
Gus: no crazy story there, we all just decided we still wanted to keep going with it...our bass player box quit but our homie chris stepped up in his place.
FU: For anyone who has no clue where Spokane, Washington is where is it and what is the hardcore scene like?
Gus: Eastern WA....the scene here has grown considerably in the last few years. It went from a small group of maybe 20 hardcore kids max, promoting shows and starting bands. now there is probably a good 150 regular kids here. Shows keep getting better and better.
FU: Is the Headhunter album a combo of songs written as Stronghold and Headhunter?
Gus: Sorta, same band just new name
FU: Does Vegan Josh handle most of the song writing and does his involvement in social issues / organizations have any real influence?
Gus: For sure...Josh and I write all the lyrics together. it's pretty much split 50 50
FU: How does living in a city like Spokane influence the way you write songs?
Gus: Josh and I both spent much of our childhood growing up in the hillyard neighborhood and if you know anything about it you know that hillyard is a very lower working class area. if you grow up here, you grow up fighting. I still live in hillyard...i've been shot at and stabbed here but it defines much of who i am. its home.
FU: I know everyone has jobs and school....is there a plan to tour outside of the Northwest maybe with like Furious Styles?
Gus: Possibly...maybe a westcoast. nothing to major
FU: I know Gus is FSU...How does being affiliated with FSU affect the band or does it at all?
Gus: totally separate thing
FU: You play with Furious stlyes in December...What is the plan for 2009?
don't know...
Gus: we don't plan ahead too much