Chris Hornbrook is a very talented guy, and has offered his vast drumming skills to numerous bands. This Poison The Well drummer is taking on music full force and sharing his love with fans around the world. Take a look at what Chris had to say when he chatted with BareBones Ent!
BS: You are a very busy man. How do you keep up the energy to do so much?
CH: Lots of coffee and an understanding girlfriend. I do enjoy what I do, so it doesn’t feel like work. It’s all steps towards a means to an end for me.
BS: For fans than may not know, what all projects are you involved in?
CH: Right now, I’m a founding member of Poison the Well and a hired musician for Senses Fail and Big Black Delta. I’ve also been involved with a few studio projects recently, one being with Beau from Saosin. I’m also into photography, any and all things related to space, and how sound works.
BS: What are the challenges of playing in multiple bands?
CH: Learning lots of songs and learning them quickly and efficiently. I haven’t had any serious conflicts of schedules yet, but I’m sure it’s bound to happen. That would be the second challenge. Thank god for subs.
BS: What do you think is the hardest part about being a drummer?
CH: Holding the band together when no one knows how to follow you or keep time on their own. Keeping control of yourself and not letting the live show get to you.
BS: What do you think it is about each band you are part of that makes them special?
CH: My connection to each band is extremely personal. Those things vary a bit, but I suppose a ubiquitous thing amongst all that I would like to share would be striving to be unique. That’s very important to me.
BS: For every band do you just go out and play like you, or do you have a different approach for each one?
CH: Yes, I approach each somewhat differently. I try to give whatever I’m working for what I feel is lacking in it. I’ve been lucky enough to have freedom with all the bands I work with. So, if I want to switch a fill up or a groove, I can. If I think that the pulse should be on an open hi hat rather than a crash, I can just switch it up. Normally that lends itself to songs that keep growing in the live format.
BS: What is it like for you to have Poison the Well getting back together?
CH: Pretty cool and pretty exciting. It’s been about five years since I was in a room with those dudes. Hopefully, it’s awesome and fun when we do start rehearsing. I have a great creative relationship with all those dudes and whenever we make music together, it feels really amazing and special to us.
BS: What would you like to see moving forward?
CH: I just want to continue to tour and create stuff that I feel strongly about with bands and artists that I respect. That is and has been the most important thing to me when it comes to music. I feel like when that’s your mindset, it goes from being a job to being something that feels effortless and worth while doing. I feel honored and privileged to do what I do and I never want to take it for granted.
CH: Probably quite a bit. Senses Fail is on tour all year, Poison the Well had those few shows and Big Black Delta is finishing up a record that will be accompanied by touring as well. I love traveling and playing, so hopefully as much as possible.
BS: Being a drummer you can see everything from the stage. What are some of the craziest things you have seen while playing?
CH: For me, thousands and thousands of people staring at your waiting for you to make some noise. That trumps almost anything else I’ve seen. It’s completely paralyzing and scary. You just have to take a deep breath and get into the zone.
BS: Do you have any advice for future drummers out there?
CH: Do what you love to do and be true to yourself. Practice and develop relationships with other musicians that you can learn and grow from. Don’t ever close your mind to the possibilities to what you can do and where you can go. Be inspired by others that are further down the road, not defeated.
BS: What is the best way for fans to keep up with you?
CH: www.chrishornbrook.com
Instagram: Chris_hornbrook
Twitter: @chris_hornbrook
FB: facebook.com/chrishornbrook
Youtube
