Artist Interview and Profile: Hegarty
Hegarty are the self-proclaimed masters of Scouse Country Rock. Hailing from Bootle, a working class area of Liverpool, the band have been gigging in around their home town since forming in 2014.
The band consist of David Hegarty (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ian ‘Igga’ Cousins (lead guitar), Chris ‘Keo’ McKeown (bass guitar), Waka Stafford (drums) and Pod Cousins (guitar). Hegarty were formed initially by David, Waka and Chris who had been working together on some songs. Igga was then recruited along with his cousin Pod, and the band were ready to rock.
Their EP of early recordings, ‘The Unintended Rebellion’, received 5 star ratings on iTunes and excellent media reviews.
Hegarty are currently in the process of writing and recording their second album, a follow-up to 2018’s ‘Selling Your Soul to Sanity’ and plan to release this in early 2022.
I caught up with all five members of Hegarty and asked them about their musical influences – here is what they had to say:
David: ‘’My older brother had ‘Guns n Roses live in Paris’ on VHS and I watched it every day as a kid. I pretty much wanted to be Axl Rose and he was the reason I wanted to become a singer. As I grew up though, Oasis were my band, I loved them and I still do. I’d say my biggest song-writing influences are Noel Gallagher and also Bob Dylan, as I realised the importance of strong lyrics when I started listening to him.’’
Igga: ‘’ I remember getting a guitar for Christmas in 1982 – I tried to play it and snapped every string bar one! I managed to play ‘Cavatina’ on the one string but then didn’t pick a guitar up again until 1984. I’ve been playing ever since! My main influences are Led Zepellin, Yes, Rush, The Beatles, Black Sabbath along with most sixties and seventies rock and folk music.’’
Waka: ‘’I bought a second-hand Premier Drum Kit when I was about 18, mainly because I had a shed and all my mates has guitars, so we decided we could form a band! (Laughs). I learned to play putting my cassette player on 10 and giving the skins a good hiding along to the music! I was brought up on The Beatles, AC/DC and Black Sabbath. ‘’
Keo: ‘’ I first picked up a guitar aged 13 and struggled to do anything with it. After discovering Iron Maiden and Steve Harris, I quickly evolved to the bass and that’s when things started. Since then influences such as Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam and Metallica helped shape my melodic style whilst heavier influences like Slayer, Panthera and System of a Down has formed a fluid, flexible rhythm.’’
Pod: ‘’I just love anything folk and early sixties.’’
Hegarty have had airplay on many radio stations including local, national and international, helping their quest to reunite the world with its love of guitar-based music.
Follow their journey here:
https://twitter.com/hegartyofficial?lang=en
