The Obelisk Questionnaire: John Harrison of Afghan Haze
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: John Harrison of Afghan Haze
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I am a guitarist for my band Afghan Haze which is a heavy,loud stoner/doom band out of Connecticut. As far as how I started playing guitar I have to thank my uncle for getting me into playing guitar. As far as how Afghan Haze started. I and we in the band have to thank our brother Randall Colbourne who we unfortunately lost almost a year ago. He was talking to me about starting a band for a while but me being a typical stoner I kept putting it off. One day me and our singer saw his old band playing a show with the Cro-Mags. Randy and Erik (our bassist) were in that band together.
So we all were talking after that show and Randy introduced me to Erik and said this is the guy I want to start a stoner band with. So I said hell yeah let’s try this out and see what happens. That was probably about four years ago and we are still pushing on. So short answer on how I define what I do is I play heavy music with my brothers that I love and we write music that we just feel and dig and hopefully people also enjoy it.
Describe your first musical memory.
When I was younger I wasn’t really into music and I didn’t really understand people being into it. Especially to the extreme that I am with it now. My childhood friend Miki got me into my first love of music with Pyromania by Def Leppard and it was off to the races. That record right there got me into music and just blew me away. I mean I heard music when I was a kid but Def Leppard “Pyromania” is what made me fall in love with music.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Well I guess I could say being introduced to Def Leppard at a young age and learning what enjoying music was all about. But I guess cuz I already mentioned that I’ll go with going to my show ever. Which I went to with my friend Miki that originally got me into music in the first place. We went to see the Gorilla Biscuits at the legendary Anthrax in Norwalk. I was just blown away at how incredible of a show that was and how awesome the whole hardcore community is. Then what followed was years and years of incredible hardcore shows.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Hmm well I’m definitely not a religious person but I do like to read about different religions and philosophies. I have gotten into a few discussions on religion with my in-laws which are all born again Christians or with my own family. I can and I enjoy talking about religion but not when it’s one sided and the party is just saying “you’re wrong and here’s why…” Not sure if that really answers that question though haha.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
It leads to making great music or great art in whatever your art is. It leads to making people happy, giving them an experience and a memory.
How do you define success?
Just being happy with what you do in life. Whether it’s your job or your hobbies or just your interests. Also being around good positive people. I am not really interested in material bullshit.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Uh well this isn’t a music answer but seeing one of my uncle’s getting his fingers chopped off in a work accident. That shit definitely fucked me up.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
As far as for music I always wanted to do my own solo grindcore project. Maybe one day I’ll sit down and get on that.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Expressing the artists feelings and mood at the time of writing or creating. Giving the listener or viewer an experience and a memory.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I’m a simple person. So the one thing I look forward to and it’s the same thing I always look forward to. It’s just spending time with my wife and my dogs and relaxing watching a good horror movie and most likely doing some cooking.
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https://afghanhaze.bandcamp.com/
