chris hornick

Chris Hornick brings a wealth of experience to the band. Prior to Judd Hoos, Chris spent nearly two years on the road as the bassist for the national touring group Zwarte’. In that short time span Chris paid his dues by playing more than two hundred shows across the United States, as well as recording a nationally released CD with the group. Chris is an outstanding bass player and a great asset to the band. His enthusiasm is contagious on stage and his dedication to the music apparent. Chris is a Colorado native currently residing in Rapid City.

Chris notes his current influences as Chris Wolstenholme(Muse), Tim Commerford(RATM), John Deacon(Queen), Tom Hamilton(Aerosmith) and John Paul Jones(Led Zeppelin).

How did you join the band?

After Bob and I left Zwarte’ we were pretty set on starting a new band. It turned out to be a much harder prospect than we thought. It’s hard to find good musicians to work with. Bob ended up joining the band Stones Throw which was formed with Drew Lerdal and Shane Funk and another bassist. I think that’s when the Band name was changed to Judd Hoos; I had nothing to do with it. I ended up moving back to Colorado. After a few months I got a call from Bob, he told me that the band’s bass player quit and their first gig was coming up. So I ended up joining the band. I had my only rehearsal with the band a week or two after the phone call. I was very impressed with the band and how hard they rehearsed. The rehearsal was 12 hours long! The next weekend we had a gig in Alliance, Nebraska.

How did you start playing bass?

In Middle school I joined the band playing trombone. Three years later I quit and took up bass in the school jazz band. In high school I played bass in the jazz bands and in most of the other bands. After high school I joined Zwarte’ and was with them for a little over a year. That’s really when I started to get my own style and learned how to play rock.

What makes this band different than other bands you were in?

We are all good musicians and we don’t bring problems to the table. It’s hard to find a band without some band member having a psycho girlfriend or a drug problem. We all work hard and practice at home, you don’t really have to get on anybody to work on their part. We definitely have our own thing on stage and that’s cool.

What do you do to get ready before a show?

I try to rest as much as I can before a show. Right before the show I stretch and try to warm up my hands. I try to play a little if I can.

What do you think about while you are playing?

I try not to think too much about playing. Sometimes I over think playing and I get too serious. I usually screw around on stage and watch the crowd.

Who are your influences?

I used to be a Dave Matthews Band fanatic. I love Stefan Lessard. He joined the Band when he was 16 years old and I always wanted something like that and I sort of did with Zwarte’, but without the fame or hit records; so not like Stefan Lessard. I’m also a big Flea fan. He can take over a song with a very simple bass line or go nuts. Les Claypool, if you played bass you would get it. I really like the bass lines for a lot of Duke Ellington Song’s. Especially anything the Buddy Rich Band played. Right now I can’t stop listening to Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. Tim Commerford has the most ferocious bass tone. I also like some of the older rock bassist’s like Geezer Buttler, Tom Hamilton, and John Paul Jones.

Tell us a funny story about Judd Hoos:

Most of our band humor revolves around inside jokes. We are around each other all the time. I really can’t think of a story that I would like to share, but I bet the other guys will fill in the void that I have created.

What is one of your goals with Judd Hoos?

To have fun.

If you could play anywhere where would it be?

Red Rock’s Amphitheater. It is a beautiful place.

Tell us about your fellow band mates:

Bob:

He’s a high energy guy and he will look you in the face and tell you his opinion and fight for it. He is the best story/joke teller. I’m glad we have someone as driven as him in the band.

Shane:

Shane’s really easy to get along with. He has a great attitude and is a great drummer. I’ve known him before this band, but I had never played with him and I was really surprised with his playing ability. I didn’t know he had a formal musical education and it shows because he really knows how to pick apart a song well and how to construct cool drum beats. He’s pretty damn funny too. I don’t know what else to tell about him. Oh, he’s a good singer and doesn’t need a ladder.

Drew:

I will now tell the story of the day Chris met Drew… Drew told me to play like Stefan Lessard from The Dave Matthews Band on the night of our first rehearsal. (One of my biggest influences was Stefan Lessard) I couldn’t believe that somebody in a band that I could be in could relate so much to me musically. I was used to being in bands that were influenced by 80′s music only. It’s funny because I think Drew had the same problem. I definitely found common ground with him that night. THE END

Chris:

He’s got a piss poor attitude and he’s an egomaniac. He also has poor grammar, a small vocabulary, and is lucky for spell check. He can’t even tie his shoes.

What would you like to say to everyone at juddhoos.com?

You have no idea how much we love to see you coming to the site and to our shows. We need fans and we need support or we are just a bunch of guys getting together on the weekends. Thank you!