Split Persona is Reno rock ’n’ roll with a bluesy, heavy edge. The band pushes the classic-rock envelope with brutal guitar tones, headbang-inducing drums and powerful vocal deliveries. For a taste of the aggressive and punchy mix, check out songs like “Lies,” “I Need More” and “Prey.” Split Persona is set to release a new single, “Hypo,” and teaser videos hint that the band is digging even deeper into hard-hitting metalcore. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/splitpersonaofficial. Lead vocalist, songwriter and rhythm guitarist Zander Hoschak is the latest to take The Lucky 13; here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
This question has two answers. My mom argues my first concert was Dave Matthews Band, because right before she had me, she and my dad and attended one of his shows, and I was particularly “active” during the performance. I’m sure it was Carter Beauford’s amazing drumming chops that hyped me up! However, my first concert I can remember was either Foreigner, who I saw at Universal Studios in Florida, or Charlie Daniels Band. After growing up on the game Guitar Hero, I would play with my dad; I became obsessed with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” One day after school, my mom surprised me with tickets!
What was the first album you owned?
Sonic Highways by the Foo Fighters. I bought it on vinyl as a gift to my girlfriend in eighth-grade, and also bought myself a copy before even owning a record player.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Beartooth, Mammoth WVH, Sleep Theory and Nothing More. With the recent Linkin Park reunion, I’ve gotten on a little nostalgia trip listening back to their albums Hybrid Theory and Minutes to Midnight, two albums I grew up listening to that play a huge part in my influence for starting Split Persona. I was also lucky enough to get to see Dead and Company (remaining members of Grateful Dead) play the Sphere in Las Vegas during their residency, and I’ve spent months diving down the Jerry Garcia and John Mayer rabbit holes when it comes to my playing, and finding myself asking, “How did they do that?”
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I personally can find enjoyment in pretty much any genre you can think of musically. However, mumble rap artists (without naming names, mainly because I know so few), I just can’t get behind. I personally find enjoyment in lyrics, and when I can’t really relate to them at all, or hear a story in it, I tend to get lost. But whatever floats music-listener boats, I’m always down for!
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
I’ve wanted to see System of a Down, Deftones and Pearl Jam for years since even before I started music. Those bands are big influences, and I haven’t yet got to experience them live. I’d do absolutely everything to see Taylor Hawkins perform on a stage again, with or without the Foos. He had such an electric stage presence and was a huge inspiration to me alongside Dave, and it was an incredibly sad day when we all lost him. To add to that, I would have loved to see Soundgarden, Audioslave, Linkin Park (with Chester) and Rage Against the Machine while they were still playing shows.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
I don’t believe in guilty pleasures when it comes to music. If you like what you’re listening to and others don’t, who cares?! I personally will blast Zac Brown Band and ABBA in my truck with no guilt singing at the top of my lungs. You could learn a thing or two from ABBA as a musician, especially a singer. No guilty pleasures!
What’s your favorite music venue?
It’s a tough tie between Red Rocks and Wembley Stadium, two venues I strive to be able to headline with the band one day. I also really like the Fillmore in New Orleans, and The Roxy in Hollywood, but internationally, the Herodes Theatre in Athens, Greece, would be insane.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Inspiration, move me brightly,” “Terrapin Station,” Grateful Dead.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Eddie Van Halen, and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. Without Eddie, I would’ve never picked up guitar, and without Dave, I would’ve never started writing songs and started my band. These two individuals, without even meeting me, taught me so many lessons and showed me how to start rocking. I mean, Dave tracking out all of the music on his own inspired me, a 13-year-old guitar player, to simultaneously pick up drums and bass, and start singing and writing songs with lyrics. They made me the musician I am today, and continues to help me grow. Van Halen and Foo Fighters were my two different generational gateways to so much old and new music, that built my openness and unbiased listening by just listening to EVERYTHING.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d ask Dave Grohl or Caleb Shomo (of Beartooth) how they tour five nights a week and scream their faces off whilst singing perfect clean vocals. These are two bands I know that don’t lip-sync or rely on tracks as a crutch on bad nights, so I want to know how they warm up and keep their vocal health in check! It’s all super-secretive, and I’m still finding my groove vocally when it comes to shows and having a good warmup routine, but I’m always looking for ways to improve my vocals and my craft as a musician. I’d start with these two choices.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Here Comes the Sun,” Beatles.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
One by One, Foo Fighters, or Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd. It’s a tough choice, because I could never choose truly what the best or my favorite album is; I just know that after five-plus years of listening to these albums, I’ll always dedicate time to listen to them front to back, and they NEVER get old to me. They’re just perfect among MANY others I love.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Drown” by us in Split Persona. It’s truly a theatrical listening experience, and we crafted it that way on purpose to “roller coaster” you through a ton of emotions, but this will really warm you up, among our other songs, for these new songs we are about to put out!