Interview with Dan Wiese, Kill Hannah

Kills Hannah fans were disappointed to hear a few weeks ago of the band pulling out of their UK tour with Madina Lake. But, through the disappointment of missing the Chicago based boys, came the promise of a new album coming soon. We asked guitarist Dan Wiese about the recent happening and this new album:

A lot of fans were disappointed with you having to pull out of the UK tour; can you explain what happened and why?

Obviously, that was at least as disappointing for us as it was for the fans. We adore the UK and had our hearts set on that tour and putting on our best shows ever. But, as fate would have it, we were offered a recording contract that required us to deliver a finished record by June 1st. This gave us about 5 weeks to find studios and hire engineers and mixers, not to mention arrange, produce and perform a full albums worth of new music. It was a very tough choice but we simply could not afford a single day of not being in the studio. The up side to all this is that there will positively be a new kill Hannah record in stores this summer!


After your headline tour last year many fans were confused at the announcement of you supporting again. How did it come about?

Basically, that tour lineup was formed by our friendship with Madina Lake. We looked at it as a good chance to get back over to the UK and play a short set of new material for the fans. It was never meant to be a full on Kill Hannah tour. It would have been great, short and sweet, and a sort of appetizer before our next headlining tour.


How would you say the tour went last year, with the bus fire and all?

The Hope for the Hopeless tour was amazing. It consumed the greater part of a year of our lives and there are absolutely no regrets. It was our first headlining tour of the UK and Europe and it was a dream come true. Of course the bus fire was traumatic and difficult to recover from, but we've always been about survival and I can't even say that the fire was the worst thing that has happened to us.


Which was your favourite UK venue?

That's such a tough call. I absolutely love the Astoria, Rock City in Nottingham, and the Academys in Manchester and Birmingham, but I can't ignore Liverpool and Newcastle. What can I say, I love them all!


Who has been your favourite band to tour with and why?

Over the years we've been lucky to tour with so many of our friends and, again, I can't pick just one. I love being on tour with HIM, Shiny Toy Guns, Velvet Revolver, Alice In Chains, and 30 Seconds To Mars.


How’s Jonny now after he missed the last tour?

He's fine. He finally got his driver’s license.


How has work on the new songs been going?

I couldn't be happier with the new music, truthfully. The songs are coming alive in the studio and are going to sound huge live. Get ready.


What can we expect from the new album?

I think that the new album will show the range of the band unlike any of our previous albums. It’s moodier, darker, and more exciting and beautiful at the same time. I don't want to give away too much, but this is going to be a great summer. It will hopefully be released in August.


What’s it been like to have a break from touring to work on new material, after you’ve been on the road for so long?

It’s quite an adjustment actually, to be in the same city for more than a day. But, the rest has been good for us. The most important thing is the new music, and I think a little time off the road was necessary for this album to come together the way it has.


And when can we expect you back in the UK?

Hopefully soon. Making up the missed shows, including those missed from the bus fire, is top priority.


Lastly, why is Elias still only credited as ‘live drummer’ considering how long he’s been with the band now?

Well, Elias hadn't played on our previous records, so we wanted to make that distinction so as not to discredit our previous drummer. But, Elias is on this new one so one day we may get around to changing that... one day.

To hear Kill Hannah visit their MySpace page.
Damon Fowler
Comfort in Sound