HUNGRY HEART
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 13th May 2009.
Hungry Heart are an Italian hard rock band with a strong hint of sleaze. They have been going since 1997 and last year released a rather splendid self titled album.
We caught up with vocalist Josh Zighetti, guitarist Mario Percudani, bass player Lele Meolato and drummer Paolo Botteschi to talk about, well, all sorts...
Hey Guys, hope you are well?
Josh: Hi Jon and thanks for giving us the opportunity to meet you between the lines of your great rock zine; I’m eager to start this journey inside the music we love.
Has much been happening with Hungry Heart recently?
Josh: Me and the guys are working hard day & night to make our music known to all the fans and lovers of this genre. We are proud about it and we’re doing our best.
Your self-titled debut album came out in 2008. Are you working on a follow-up yet? If so, how is it going?
Josh: This is our first album and we’re doing our best to promote it. We have received very positive feedback all around the world and it’s a great pleasure for us. Actually we’re working on new songs which will be included in the next album. We hope it will be ready and available by the end of 2009. The style will be the same as the previous one, with a little bit more AOR sound.
Any plans for a big tour in 2009? Are you likely to come over to the UK?
Josh: Recently we have played in few clubs around the North of Italy and we will do some other gigs during the summer. Starting from the autumn we will start a mini-European tour and we hope to come to the UK too! We have a lot of friends over there and it would be amazing!!!
What is the rock music scene like in Italy? Do you have plenty of rock clubs?
Josh: It’s not easy to play our music here. Most clubs only give opportunities to cover and tribute bands. Just few clubs give a chance to bands who play original music. It’s a very serious and difficult situation.
Do you watch many live gigs yourselves or do you prefer being on the stage?
Josh: Without doubt! We prefer being on stage! We watch and have watched many live gigs though!
Who’s the best band out there at the moment, and who were your biggest influences?
Lele: Talking about the Hard Rock field, I think that one of the best bands at the moment is H.E.A.T. They are very young and talented musicians! As to our influences, I guess it’s easy to recognize listening to our music: all the great ’80 and ’90 bands, such as Giant, Danger Danger, Bad English, Tyketto, Firehouse, Bon Jovi and many others.... Obviously we couldn’t forget the ’70 bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.
If you were stuck on a remote Pacific atoll with a solar powered CD player, what 5 albums would you like there with you?
Lele: It’s a very difficult question! I think I would bring one thousand cds with me! only 5? So, if I had to make a choice: - Deep Purple, Stormbringer - Led Zeppelin, IV - Giant, Time to burn - Motley Crue, Girls,Girls,Girls - Whitesnake, Slip of the Tongue
If you were stranded with one other person, and you could choose who they were, who would you have?
Lele: I think I would carry my girlfriend…..
Is there anyone in the music industry you’d really love to work with?
Paolo: There are so many artists I would love to work with, from Toto to Journey, from Sting to Brian Adams, Incognito, Jamiroquai, Tower of Power, Pat Metheney, Yellow Jackets, just to name a few. Therefore, all the artists I love to listen to and who have contributed to grow my musical and professional training.
How would you describe your style?
Paolo: I would describe it as a mix of everything I learnt in all the years of my artistic career. I grew up listening to Rock Music and it's easy to recognize It in everything I do. I listened and I still listen to many genres and so I guess that my "drumming" is a continuous evolution. Moreover, the fact I'm a drum teacher helps me refresh my mind, keeping it open to every new influence. My young students are a continuous source of new motivations.
Do any of you play in other bands, have other jobs, or is it Hungry Heart all the way?
Josh: In addition to HungryHeart I’m working on a solo project. Moreover I sing in a Bon Jovi Tribute band. I love Jon and I feel that his music is made for me.
Is Hungry Heart work, fun, or both?
Josh: Both things, it’s simply the best work that we could do!!!!
Which song are you most proud of working on/writing?
Mario: I can tell you 3 songs for 3 different reasons: “Hard Lovin’ Woman” for the ’70's touch, “Breath Away” for the melody, “Rock City” for its positivity.
‘Gina’ is one of the best songs I’ve heard in ages. Has it, or any of the other songs from the album, received any radio airplay? It should have!
Mario: Luckily many songs of the album have received airplay. The most played are: “Stealing the night”, “River of soul”, “The Only one” and “Rock City”. There are also a couple of british radio stations which have helped us in promoting our album. So, I’d like to say “thank you”!
What’s the best/worst thing you’ve ever done when drunk?
Josh: Worst thing? Wow!!!! I remember a long time ago when I crashed two cars on the highway and also when I destroyed a telephone cabin during a very bad conversation! ..and other things that it’is better not to explain …Lynyrd Skynyrd sang: “There’s a devil in a bottle!” and I was crazy enough to understand it. The best thing is to make love everywhere….and believe me when I tell you everywhere!!!!
What’s the best/worst thing you’ve ever done when you weren’t drunk?
Josh: To start playing music!!!! Ah!Ah!
Do you live the rock ‘n’ roll dream?
Josh: Everyday when I wake up in the morning till’ I go to sleep….cause’ life’s a dream!!!!
Anything you want to plug?
Mario: Thanks for your question! My solo album will be available very soon! It’s a Pop/Rock album, more intimate and softer. You can listen to some songs previews at: http://www.myspace.com/mariopercudani
What are you up to once you’ve finished being interrogated?
Mario: I will keep on writing the songs for the new album because it must be ready and available winter 2009!
Thank you for your time, you are free to go...
Mario: Thanks to Rock Realms for giving us the chance to talk about us and our music. We are planning to come to the UK for some gigs and we’ll surely let you know. Meanwhile we'll take the chance to give you the links to our website http://www.myspace.com/hungryheartofficial where you can stay up to date on gigs, news, distributors and stores. Rock on!
As the man says, check out the Hungry Heart MySpace page for the latest news about the band. Check out the Rock Realms review of the band's eponymous debut here.
