Who are you and what is your role in the band?
My name is David Heida and I’m the lead guitarist in Haster
How did the band get started?
We started in 2010 after my previous band had broken up. I went searching for a drummer to start the band, when I meet our first drummer and started writing music that would end up being our first EP “Searching.” I found our singer, Jarret Stockmar, off Craigslist around November 2010 and he start putting lyrics over the music I had and thus Haster was born.
Who are your influences and how do they play a role in your sound?
My big guitar influences are Pete from Chevelle, Mark from Alter Bridge, Jerry Cartell and Adam Jones of Tool. All different players bring something to the table but it’s their way of writing melodies with a great groove that influences me the most in writing. Music always comes first with our songs and Jarret picks out the ones he feels the most and we work on that.
What has been your most meaningful experience being in this band so far?
Touring and playing huge festivals. When you’re young, that’s all you want to do: get on the road, see the world and play music. I’m very lucky I’ve been able to do that with Haster. Meeting new people everyday from that is amazing to see and how our music influences or helps them get through their life like my idols have to me.
Favorite memory from a show you’ve played or a place you’ve travelled?
Uproar Festival 2014 in our hometown area in Irvine. It was the biggest show we ever played to date and by the end of our set we had a couple of thousand people watching us. The reaction was amazing.
What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
Make a living playing music. Like everyone, if I didn’t have to work three jobs to break even and all I had to do was play music, I would be the happiness person ever. If I could get a good career where music took care of my bills, that is my dream.
What is next for the band?
Touring throughout the rest of 2016, a new music video, and hopefully more touring. We’re lined up for a couple of festivals this summer and plan on going as far East as we can, hopefully all the way to the East Coast and then back up to the Northwest in the Winter.
Anything else you want to add?
We love talking to our fans so hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or at our merch table at shows.
