Haken interview (2022)

Each week on the show, Ollie chats to someone influential within the world of heavy music.
On episode 14 of The Heavy Hooks Show, Ollie caught up with Ray Hearne, Charlie Griffiths and Rich Henshall of Haken. The guys share their thoughts and feelings on their looming tour with Symphony X, being asked to play on the Shattered Fortress Tour and we chat about how Haken have become one of the most renowned modern progressive rock bands.
Also, for those listening on Spotify, Charlie wrote and recorded the theme tune to this podcast!
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You can listen to the full episode here:
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You can check out each episode (exclusively on Spotify) here:
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00:23 - Usually a minor 3rd higher
01:05 - Ray Hearne has left the group
01:20 - Hardest part of breaking prog rock?
03:03 - The evolution of Haken's sound
04:21 - Surrey life
06:00 - The importance of local venues
06:50 - Best players in the world?
07:20 - John Petrucci
08:00 - The best drummer in his house?
10:45 - Does being on a "best" list matter?
12:20 - Which Haken track sums up the band?
14:40 - Phoning Russell Allen
17:10 - The Shattered Fortress
21:35 - Tracks Haken are nervous to play
24:00 - Advice for aspiring musicians
26:37 - Line up change

[@paulware2457]

Haken introduction story, in response to yours.
Watching a Pakistani illegal cricket stream a few years ago. These always have the same interface - the streaming footage and a chatbox with a bunch of Indians and Pakistanis insulting the female members of each other's families. Usually I ignore it. One day kicking back with a couple of beers watching ENG v PAK a few years ago and someone on there makes a single comment "technical and progressive metal". Random. Engaged the dude, spent 3 lines of chat discussing TesseracT, Sikth etc. then he said "Haken - The Mountain, your new favourite album". "Alright" says I "I'll give it a swaz". Bam.
Went back after CK to thank the guy and no sign of him, never saw him there again. A few months later, Haken announce first ever gig in my country.

[@KKplaysit]

Fun interview,.

[@TheHeavyHooksShow]

Ah thank you so much!

[@jairsjunior1]

I said together crystallized 😀