I had the pleasure of interviewing Scott and Dave from Harvey Wallbanger!
When did you start making music together?
Dave and Scott started jamming in 2012 and began putting together a band shortly thereafter.
Were any of you in your school band?
Scott – No
Dave - No
What made you want to be in a band?
Scott – I was hooked on rock n roll pretty early and was amazed by the guitar players. I started teaching myself to play and ended up having a bunch of friends that played various instruments, too. My first “band” was in 7th grade and we were terrible, but it was fun. I met other people in high school that played and off I went. We all learned together – how to figure out songs, how to play as a band instead of a bunch of disconnected instruments, stuff about equipment, etc. Like Dave Grohl says, you gotta get in a band and just suck for a while. There are no shortcuts. The big thing for me really is I love to hang out with my friends and jam, even if it is just practice. Playing out in front of a crowd is great, but I have a blast rehearsing, too.
Dave – I love music. Dennis T Menass and Left End made me want to be like them.
How long have you each been playing music?
Scott – I started playing guitar about 1983. (I really should be a lot better by now)
Dave – 41 years, since 1974.
What instruments do you play?
Scott – Guitar, bass, a little piano and a little drums, a beer can filled with rocks and a mean electric kazoo.
Dave – Guitar, bass, keys and harmonica
Who are your musical interests?
Scott – All kinds of stuff, really. Van Halen, Danger Danger, Tesla, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Foo Fighters, Anthrax, Y&T, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Weird Al Yankovic, Extreme, Journey, Ozzy, Queen, Parliament Funkadelic, Train, and Spinal Tap.
Dave – AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Neal Young
Who would you love to open for?
Scott – Anybody, I just love to play.
Dave – Foo Fighters
Who are the members of the band?
Dave Benedict – Guitar, Vocals
Scott West – Guitar, Vocals
Tod Filmer – Bass, Vocals
Kevin Jaskowick - Drums
What shows do you have coming up?
Coming up we have
Tangier 6/20
Crickets 7/3
Party On The Plaza – 7/24
Any future plans for Harvey Wallbanger?
We will begin writing some songs and will be on a project release for Youngstown area cover bands later this year.
Anything you'd like to add?
Scott - Just play. You don’t have to be a prodigy. Heck, you don’t even have to be good. Leave your ego at the door and do it for the love of music. And always do it your way.
Dave – I don’t know what I would do without music.
When did you start making music together?
Dave and Scott started jamming in 2012 and began putting together a band shortly thereafter.
Were any of you in your school band?
Scott – No
Dave - No
What made you want to be in a band?
Scott – I was hooked on rock n roll pretty early and was amazed by the guitar players. I started teaching myself to play and ended up having a bunch of friends that played various instruments, too. My first “band” was in 7th grade and we were terrible, but it was fun. I met other people in high school that played and off I went. We all learned together – how to figure out songs, how to play as a band instead of a bunch of disconnected instruments, stuff about equipment, etc. Like Dave Grohl says, you gotta get in a band and just suck for a while. There are no shortcuts. The big thing for me really is I love to hang out with my friends and jam, even if it is just practice. Playing out in front of a crowd is great, but I have a blast rehearsing, too.
Dave – I love music. Dennis T Menass and Left End made me want to be like them.
How long have you each been playing music?
Scott – I started playing guitar about 1983. (I really should be a lot better by now)
Dave – 41 years, since 1974.
What instruments do you play?
Scott – Guitar, bass, a little piano and a little drums, a beer can filled with rocks and a mean electric kazoo.
Dave – Guitar, bass, keys and harmonica
Who are your musical interests?
Scott – All kinds of stuff, really. Van Halen, Danger Danger, Tesla, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Foo Fighters, Anthrax, Y&T, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Weird Al Yankovic, Extreme, Journey, Ozzy, Queen, Parliament Funkadelic, Train, and Spinal Tap.
Dave – AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Neal Young
Who would you love to open for?
Scott – Anybody, I just love to play.
Dave – Foo Fighters
Who are the members of the band?
Dave Benedict – Guitar, Vocals
Scott West – Guitar, Vocals
Tod Filmer – Bass, Vocals
Kevin Jaskowick - Drums
What shows do you have coming up?
Coming up we have
Tangier 6/20
Crickets 7/3
Party On The Plaza – 7/24
Any future plans for Harvey Wallbanger?
We will begin writing some songs and will be on a project release for Youngstown area cover bands later this year.
Anything you'd like to add?
Scott - Just play. You don’t have to be a prodigy. Heck, you don’t even have to be good. Leave your ego at the door and do it for the love of music. And always do it your way.
Dave – I don’t know what I would do without music.