Interview mit Dirk Kennedy und Jim Bacchi von Hittman

Hi and thanks a lot for taking time for this interview! How are you doing? I hope you and your family are well!
Very well thank you. Waiting this all out and hoping to get back to normal as soon as possible.

HITTMAN released two well-received albums from 1988 to 1993 but then quickly disappeared from the scene. Tell us about the events that led to the reboot of the band in 2017!
We always seems to do well with critics and fans, It was the business that we were not so lucky with. We never got the promotion and support from either the record company or the booking agencies. Literally we almost never got invited to play. Why I don’t know.

With “Destroy All Humans” your long awaited third album is about to hit the stores. What can you tell us about the record?
It’s a love letter to all the fans who have wrote us and stayed true to us. We knew that we wanted and needed an album that was both historically correct and that it was genuine. No curve balls or pretensions. Just classic straight up power metal.

How did the songwriting and recordings for “Destroy All Humans” go down?
Very organically. Jimmy and I wrote most of it and sent ideas back and forth over the internet. Always thinking of making sure it sounded like HITTMAN. We wrote a lot fo songs that didn’t quite fit, so naturally they didn’t make the album. It was interesting to write and find the treasures.

Would you say that your sound has transformed over the years? If so, in your opinion, which elements stayed the same and which ones are new?
We very much wanted this album to be true to our original sound. Now, time is a wicked mistress and there are differences between then and now. We are older, we have a lot more experience, but to find the fire, the daring and the danger that only youth can provide was interesting. Its mush easier to try to play it safe. That was NOT an option.

Why is the album called “Destroy All Humans”?
It’s a provocative title. Its encompasses a kind of duality. Politics and humanity, which don’t seem to go side by side anymore. It’s not concept album by any standard. But I think as Americans were all a little bit angry that democracy doesn’t seem to mean the same thing anymore. The song, ( written by Jimmy) is all about that.

Your new album will be released through No Remorse Records from Greece. How did this collaboration come to pass?
They reached out to us when we agreed to play KIT. Oliver from KIT recommended them and We fell in love with Chris Papadatos and his label. His energy and his love for the misc is rare in the business side of things. We just clicked and after the debut re-release went so well, we just had to release the new one though him. He’s incredible.

Most of the debut’s line-up also plays on the new record. What was it like to “get the band back together”?
It wasn’t easy. Everyone has moved far away or has a career that doesn’t always allow as much time needed to get things done quickly. We lost Chuck for this reason and others but the rest of us are still here and so excited. I love seeing Jimmy to my left and John to my right. It feels so natural.

HITTMAN were already part of the metal scene when it first emerged. What’s your take on today’s state of the genre?
I think with the advent of TNWOTHM, its in the best shape metal has been in years. The fans, the industry. They realize how honest the music is and its commercial appeal.

The COVID-19 pandemic affects all areas of life but the live sector with all its bands and venues seems to be hit especially hard. How do you feel about this?
Its unprecedented, isn’t it? Who knows where we’ll be in a years time. All I know is this music needs to be played live. And hopefully, sooner than later. We’re really learning about humanity now .

Once touring is possible again: Any chance that HITTMAN might come to Germany?
1 million percent yes! Its where we started, and probably where our biggest core fan base is. We plan on playing as much of Europe as we can. It’s time. We have a lot of ground to cover and we want to do it all.

Thank you for the interview! Please let us do a short brainstorming in the end of this interview. What comes in your mind first reading the following terms:
Metal Sport: Our anthem, It should always be respected and it is the bands calling card.
Pay To Play: Well, I heard that’s a real thing. A I know is: we haven’t been asked to pay to play yet. I guess it would depend on the gig. I honestly don’t think anyone would have the nerve to ask some bands to pay to play but we’ll have to see..
Festival Season: The thing we want to do most. Its so important and a privilege to play those festivals. Its where the bands get exposure and it s a treat for the fans. I personally have always dreamed of playing WACKEN, Download, Hellfest, Resurrection etc. It was our dream to play Kit and up the hammers. And the most special experiences of out career so far.
Election Year: We have one job: Get rid of the emperor.
Vivas Machina: A great album that was misunderstood and should have been released as a 4th or 5th album. It had great songs but maybe just too different from the 1st. WE are fixing that now.
HITTMAN in 10 years: I hope we are headlining, playing all the festivals and making records we can be proud of. But first, a personal dream would be to open for Iron Maiden. I think that would go down very well.

Once again thanks for your time. The last words are yours – is there anything left you want to tell our readers?
I just want to thank everyone for all their support over the last few decades and for never forgetting us. It took way too long, I know. But we’re back and this times its for keeps.

Publiziert am 9. November 2020 von Thomas Meyns