HORIZON THEORY – AN INTERVIEW WITH JOSH & JEFF
By Ralph Beauchamp
Josh Harrington and Jeff Hafer of the dynamic quartet, Horizon Theory sits with AMP for this interesting interview.
Horizon Theory is a hard rock cavalcade of powerful guitar riffs, meaningful lyrics and destructive backbeats. Josh (Vocals) and Jeff (Drums) are joined by Chris Black (Guitars) and Luen Murr (Bass). The band hails from Michigan and has been building an impressive fanbase by delivering fervent songwriting and brazen arrangements. In addition, Horizon Theory is a touring juggernaut. They are constantly on the road in order to spread their infectious music to the masses.
Horizon Theory have just dropped a propulsive new single entitled “Nowhere To Go” which distributes an important message. The song is a sonic salvo of edgy guitar riffs, crushing vocals and a menacing cadence. Harrington’s vocals are intense and emotive. Black’s guitar carry tension filled textures. Murr’s bass thumps with a resolute fury while Hafer’s percussions surrenders a brutal verve. Even though the theme is dark and foreboding, Horizon Theory offers rays of hope. This tune is plainly an aural storm of immense proportions.
AMP: Can you give our readers a brief history of the band?
JOSH: Chris and Lewis (Luen) were previously in a band together a few years ago. Jeff was also in a previous group. We have all been jamming together in different groupings for awhile. A mutual friend actually put us in the same room together. Chris and Lewis were determined to persevere and were just looking for the right singer and drummer. We all seemed to jive well together. What started out as a project turned into Horizon Theory and it’s been go time since the first session.
AMP: What is your creative process like?
JEFF: What usually happens is Chris will come up with some solid structure of a song, riffs included. Then Lewis and myself start adding our parts. We try to give Josh a good feel for the tune. If the foundation is strong, it gives him a better opportunity to create his lyrics. Most times it starts with Chris but it is truly a collaborative process. There is a lot of bouncing ideas back and forth. We all have a creative voice. That gives the songwriting considerable freedom for each of us to put our own stamp on the tune.
JOSH: It’s a lot of fun working with Chris. Sometimes Chris comes in with a riff or two and the song structure somewhat laid out. I’ll jump in and start humming some stuff. After checking my book of verses, off we go mixing those verses with choruses. We play with it until we like it. Then we focus on the meaning of the lyrics and then the magic begins to set in.
AMP: Your new single is “Nowhere To Go”. Can you give us a little insight into the track?
JOSH: We had the demo version laid out about a year ago. After working on a couple of other songs and playing a few shows, we revisited the track. We really started to focus on it and wanted to hit it with a big chorus.
I know friends that are going through some stuff. We all do. Suicidal tendencies and substance abuse is quite prevalent. The lyrics reflect dealing with those social illnesses. The song is called “Nowhere To Go” and that’s how a multitude of people feel. We don’t just want to put out material just for the hell of it. The whole idea is to touch people.
JEFF: For me personally, the song hits home. I checked myself into a treatment center last summer for drinking. The band stood behind me when I truly needed it and for that I am eternally grateful. Like Josh said, we all know somebody who is struggling. The theme of the song is that there is always hope. We just want to let our listeners know that there is a way out.
AMP: How would you describe the band’s internal drive?
JOSH: We’re hungry! We’ve all been in bands forever. Pretty much our whole lives. We’ve kind of seen it all and all I can say is we are definitely hungry for the next step. In the short time Horizon Theory has been together, we’ve become pretty tight. Our musical mentality is totally focused. We all agree on the music we put out even though it constantly changes. We don’t want to be stuck in one lane. Our music comes from the heart. Our musical influences are all different but it all works as a whole. We want to put out what we want while still having fun. We all click and know what we are capable of.
JEFF: There is also a grind associated with that hunger but the beauty of it is the fact we still are having fun. It may sound corny or cliche, but from our prior band experiences, this seems so different. We all get along and have the same goals. The work ethic and drive is all there. It’s never a challenge to get anybody to do something. I don’t want to use the word magical but that is how it feels right now.
AMP: What do you want your fans to take away from your music?
JEFF: That our music is inclusive. We are telling stories about real life. Everything we write about is relatable.
JOSH: We want people to feel like family. We want to have them feel like they are heard. If we can touch just one person, that is all that matters.
AMP: You are supporting Cold and Orgy on tour and are slated to play the Capulet Fest here in Ct. How stoked are you to meet your fans and make new friends?
JEFF: That’s what it’s all about. The studio and rehearsals are fine but the rubber really hits the road when we are able to interact with our fans. We all have been fans of music our entire lives and meeting other musicians on tour is amazing. It brings back that high you had when you listened to your idols. After our show, just meeting the fans by the merch table makes it all worthwhile. It’s that unique sensation being face to face with the audience that we all love.
JOSH: It’s great hearing their stories and understanding how our music has affected them.
AMP: If you can support any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
JOSH: I don’t know if I want to go relevant or old school. Jelly Roll would put us on the map but I would have to say Bullet for My Valentine. They’re one of my favorite bands. I dig their music and it would be a great opportunity for us.
JEFF: That’s a tough one. There are so many to choose from. I would love to say Pantera but opening for Queen at one of their huge festivals would be cool. I still have to say Pantera. Just supporting them would be surreal. Their energy is unsurmountable.
AMP: There is a bunch of cool bands that call Michigan their home including Of Virtue (who are also slated to play the Capulet fest) and Heart Of Jordan. Is there something special in the air?
Jeff: There sure is a bunch of great bands that come out of Michigan. They may not all be at the Of Virtue level but they are there. There are bands playing 2 or 3 nights a week and killing it. Just look at the history. You’ve got Motown and Detroit Rock City. Also, MC5. We have had generations of amazing rockers coming out of the state.
Another aspect is the fact that there isn’t much to do in the state. If you hunt or fish, it’s a sportsman’s paradise. Music has always been here especially in the winter. It’s cold, so everyone stays inside and either listens to music or makes it. It’s the Michigan drive and determination.
JOSH: It’s great to be part of a scene. There’s a great support system in place. We all follow each other and root each other on. There is a momentum growing and all the bands feel it. We are always looking out for each other instead of butting heads.
AMP: What’s next for Horizon Theory?
JEFF: We have that tour coming up with Cold and Orgy which kicks off on April 11th in Chicago. It’s a six week stint. 37 dates in total. Then, we get a little bit of a break. Hopefully we hit some more festivals like the Capulet Fest in Ct. After that we are back in the studio and possibly a fall tour.
Josh: We should be putting out several more singles and possibly a full length which is already entitled, Radio Silence. It will feature some of the singles we’ve already released plus several bonus tracks. We are currently in the midst of a no-stop period in our careers. We are ready for the grind. Bring it on.
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