Alan Tecchio: Singing in Hades was my first real gig. I had been in local metal cover bands until then and when Hades was looking for a singer I was contacted. That was due to the fact that a guitar player I had previously played with (Scott LePage) had joined Hades and suggested I be given an audition.
Who were your musical inspirations growing up?
Early on I was into Led Zep, Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Budgie. Riff-oriented bands that had emotive singers.
What was the first concert you attended?
Judas Priest with openers Iron Maiden. That was on the Screaming for Vengeance tour.
What vocalists do you respect and admire?
Robert Plant, Rob Halford, Robert Smith. Pretty much anyone named Rob. Seriously though, Ronnie Dio, Ian Gillan, Geoff Tate, Ray Alder. They all totally rule.
What advice would you give somebody who wants to have a successful career in music?
Be honest with yourself and do it for the love of doing it. Don’t try to hop on a trend or play music with the intention of being admired. For any type of art to have real value it has to be heartfelt, in my opinion. That quality
is what appeals to real fans. If you fake it, they will see through you anyway so what’s the point of doing that? Also, no matter what you create there will be people who love it and people who hate it so you might as well be
truthful. You also have to work very hard to try and reach as many listeners as possible. In today’s market which is flooded with bands, that is harder than ever to do. I think a lot of the listening public is overwhelmed with
musical choices these days. Try to be inventive and creative and make music that you won’t regret ten or twenty years down the road.
What were the biggest mistakes you made or the most important lessons you learned in regard to the music industry?
My biggest mistake was probably passing on the chance to audition for Anthrax after Joey was out of the band. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is what I answered in the previous question: Create from the
heart and just put your honest feelings out there. I never wavered from that and though I never became very famous or successful in the grand scheme of things, I have no regrets when I look back. (Okay, maybe I regret
not taking that Anthrax audition!) But as far as my own music goes, I stand behind all of it today just as much as I did when it was put to tape.
Anything else you’d like to mention?
Thanks for the interest in Seven Witches and hopefully we will see some of you at the shows we’re playing.
