All Access Exclusive - 10 Questions with Jesse Hasek of 10 Years

10 Years Left to Right- Brian Vodinh – lead guitar, Jesse Hasek – lead vocals and Matt Wantland – rhythm guitar 

1) Where does this interview find you and what's on the agenda for you today?

I currently reside in Knoxville Tennessee and my agenda for the day is to work on practicing for A virtual concert we have coming up soon while playing daddy day care with the kids.

2) Let’s start at the beginning. How did you guys all meet and when did you start putting the band together?

The band formed in high school in 1998 but I didn’t join until 2001 when I met them in the local music scene.

3) Who are some of the old and newer artists who inspire you and the band?

I would say the band was definitely inspired by groups like Rage Against The Machine, Nirvana, Deftones, Tool, and Radiohead to name a few. I’d say we are currently into bands like Manchester Orchestra, Thrice, O’brother and Nothing But Thieves but we are really all over the place with what we listen to.

4) What was the first real exposure at Rock Radio and how did it feel the first time you heard your music played on the radio?

Our first rock radio exposure came from Anthony “Roach” Proffitt who was the program director for the station in our hometown (Knoxville). We really do credit him for being the first to give us exposure with the song “Wasteland” all the way back in 2003.

5) You had some good success with the single “The Shift” last year and now your latest single “The Unknown” was recently released to Rock radio. What was the inspiration for this song?

“The Shift” and “The Unknown” kind of go together with “The Shift” being the chaos happening and “The Unknown” being the aftermath/rebuild moving forward and learning from our mistakes.

6) Both of these songs come from your LP “Violent Allies” that came out last September. What can you tell us about this LP?

We recorded our current album “Violent Allies” with Howard Benson the same producer that we worked with on “Feeding The Wolves” in 2010. Since we had a history with Howard it made the recording process a little more comfortable. The album titled “Violent Allies” kind of signifies the importance of unity even in its difficult periods. With age and maturity we’ve realized that if the core of the band is collectively together on our vision and goals, we have a better chance of achieving them.

7) What’s your take on Rock Radio today and do you have any favorite on-air radio moments you can share with us?

Rock radio has such a loyal diehard fan base that it gives bands like us stability in unstable times like these. We are grateful to be a part of it for so many years. There’s been so many fun and funny on -air moments that it’s too hard to just name one.

8) With COVID-19 shutting down live shows over the last year, do you have any “virtual” tour plans for 10 Years in 2021?

We are currently in the works of creating an acoustic show where we’re deconstructing and rebuilding the songs in a new light.. kind of a reimagining on things.

9) Earlier I asked about some of the artists that inspire you and the band, but on a personal level, what are some songs or artists we might be surprised to find on your playlist?

My current playlist consists of Hayley Williams from Paramore’s solo album, The latest Run The Jewels album, and the newest Code Orange record.. so yeah I’m kind of all over the place with my personal taste in music.

10) Finally, I recently had this discussion with a Radio programmer about your band. If someone had never heard 10 Years before, how would you describe your music to them?

It’s always kind of difficult to sum up our sound in a few words but I’d have to say we are a melodic band with heavy elements and lyrical content that tries to provoke deeper emotion and thought. Sonically I guess I’d compare us to bands like Chevelle, Nothing More, A Perfect Circle, and Deftones.