Few bands can maintain fan excitement like Hot Water Music do. The band formed in 1994 and is pushing 30 years, with a few interruptions and a new member along the journey.
SPB catch up with bassist Jason Black to learn about their new record, Feel The Void (Equal Vision, 2022), how The Fest takes over their hometown of Gainesville, FL, and having more than one Chris in the band.
Scene Point Blank: I like how you grew the band instead of changing members. While you already knew Chris Cresswell from playing shows with Flatliners in the past, was it especially weird because both members who changed roles have the same first name? Anti-Flag already has dibs on the name “Chris #2”.
Jason Black: We like it, too. A little known fact is that we also had Chris DeMakes from LTJ fill for one show in Brazil when Chris (Cresswell) couldn't make it due to Flats commitments. We're very committed to the Chrises of the world.
Scene Point Blank: If my memory is correct, Feel the Void is your ninth record overall. Did you have a goal going in, and did you come out achieving that (or finding a new, improved direction)?
Jason Black: You are correct, i]Feel the Void[/i] was/is #9. I don't want this to sound dismissive of Light it Up or Shake Up the Shadows, because both of those releases have songs we are still super happy with and proud of, but i]Feel the Void[/i] was a much more thorough and intensive process than either of those releases. We really pushed it as far as we could this time around, and we feel like the result shows it. Having Brian [McTernan] back in the producer chair was key to getting everyone to bleed that little extra bit that makes good records into great ones.
Scene Point Blank: I read in another interview that you approached this record, from a bass perspective, as wanting to incorporate as much hiphop influence as you could without changing the overall vibe. How does the band’s writing process play into that? Is it something you were personally exploring and, when put into action, the rest of the band dug it? Or did you talk it through first?
Jason Black: Our writing process is pretty collaborative, in the way that nothing is off limits. You can bring anything you want to the table, but anyone can also shoot it down. The process also varies from song to song, which is a big component of what makes being in this band fun and rewarding.
As to the hiphop influence, that wasn't something I discussed with anyone aside from George [Rebelo, drums]. He and I work closely on the grooves and feels for each song and are both pretty over the “kick-snare kick,kick-snare” feel that a lot of rock/punk songs have. Not that there's anything wrong with that, and we do always have songs that fall into that category, but 28 years later it's cool to stretch your legs a little.
Scene Point Blank: It sounds like Cresswell fit into the band pretty seamlessly in the studio. How do you think this chapter of Hot Water Music feels different on stage?
Jason Black: It was definitely pretty easy. He's a great human, which helps. The biggest difference for us has been keeping up with someone 10 years younger on stage. It's also fun to give him a preview of what the 40s are gonna feel like (not awesome).
Scene Point Blank: Has the lineup shift changed the setlist significantly?
Jason Black: The biggest change in the set is the duration. We're clocking between 18-22 songs, depending on the situation. We were more in the 12-14 range for a long time. I enjoy playing more as it gives us a chance to get a more diverse set list together and to avoid playing the same thing every night.
Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite new song to play live right now?
Jason Black: Currently, “Another Breath.” We just added that in this month and it's been awesome and a nice new vibe and complexion to the set.
Scene Point Blank: How long have you known the people at Equal Vision?
Jason Black: I want to say we met Dan for the first time around 2000.
Scene Point Blank: Every band grows in different ways, with some totally changing directions at some point. What's your secret for keeping such a consistent sound but still evolving and not getting repetitive?
Jason Black: For me, it comes down to always finding new music to listen to. We're also very much a sum of our parts and have been playing together for so long that it's pretty much impossible for us to play something and not have a Hot Water Music sound to it.
Scene Point Blank: Did you know Tony or have any role (formal or informal) way back at Fest 1?
Jason Black: Oh yeah, we've known Tony since maybe '96 or '97?
Scene Point Blank: Do you remember what your first impression was at the first Fest you can remember?
Jason Black: This seems like a terrible idea and will never last (whoops).
Scene Point Blank: Do you still live in Gainesville and, if not, when did you move? In relation to that, at what point did you see locals starting to understand that The Fest is a big deal to people?
Jason Black: I am actually back in Gainesville as of a year ago, after leaving back in 2006. I feel like once Bo Dudley Plaza was continually involved and packed out, the local folks started to understand the popularity of Fest.
Scene Point Blank: How many times have you, personally, played at The Fest?
Jason Black: Ha! I actually don’t know. I think this will be the 6th.
Scene Point Blank: Do you have any favorite memories of sets you've played?
Jason Black: Honestly, they’ve all been really cool in their own way. Last year felt pretty special because it had been so long since everyone had played a show and there were a ton of close friends playing.
Scene Point Blank: Are you touring en route to Fest 20?
Jason Black: We’ll be in Europe beforehand, so kinda?
Scene Point Blank: I’m sure you have some surprises in store for Fest 20. Can you drop any hints yet?
Jason Black: Nothing solidified just yet, but we do have some cool things that we hope work out.
Scene Point Blank: Now I'm going to switch gears. Try to think of this closing bit as a rapidfire, TV-style "name 5 things" interview without too much thought:
Favorite venue to see a show at Fest?
Jason Black: Bo Diddley
Scene Point Blank: Band you want to see the most at Fest 20?
Jason Black: Avail
Scene Point Blank: Top restaurant or food item Festers should try?
Jason Black: Plantology
Scene Point Blank: The first thing you're going to do when you hit Gainesville?
Jason Black: Be home?
Scene Point Blank: One thing every non-local should know before coming to town?
Jason Black: Way too many stupid people in Florida have guns.
