Star And Dagger Interview for Wicked Spins Radio

One night whilst drinking Lenny Kaye declared that Sean Yseult (Ex White Zombie) and Dava She Wolf should start a band as he could see it, so they took his words and started on a road that would be called Star And Dagger. They were soon joined by Von Hesseling on vocals and Star And Dagger was given life. Wicked Spins Radio got chance to catch up with Von Hesseling from Star And Dagger and here is how it went.

WSR – Can you tell us a little bit of a background about yourself and where in this beautiful world you are from?

Von Hesseling – I grew up in on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida. It was very close to the Everglades and was an absolutely magical place if you’re a kid! Lots of snakes and alligators, but no music scene at all, unless you consider Jimmy Buffet a musical influence. So as you start discovering what’s out there, you know you have to leave your little slice of paradise and go to the nearest city. So off I went from city to city absorbing different ideas along the way. First was Atlanta, where I fell into a cool band called Phantom 309 with John Forbes and Mac McNeeley for a short spell. Really learned a lot there. Then I got my act together and drove out to San Francisco and formed a band called Hate Holiday with some great guys. The core of the band had been a punk rock act called Happy World, but with new guitar and vocals we entered a more hard rock arena.

We played the Bay Area for about 7 years. It was a good tight working band and I learned a lot about endurance and salvaging your voice. And being friends in a band of brothers.

WSR – Is there anything in particular you miss about living in the Everglades?

Von Hesseling – I miss communing with nature every day. Boating through the mangrove swamps as the sun rises is incredible. You just watch the whole world come alive. Fish start feeding, birds are swooping down to feed, if you’re lucky, dolphins will roll up next to you, and it’s pretty incredible. I can see that part of the world in a photo and immediately identify it, it’s a part of you.

WSR – How would you describe salvaging your voice?

Von Hesseling – I guess salvaging would be to rescue goods from damage or destruction. That’s a bit what it’s like to sing over a really heavy band. You have to be effective for many shows in a row, you can’t blow your wad too soon.

WSR – At what point in your life did you decide to form your band and why?

Von Hesseling – I took a hiatus from playing rock when I moved To New Orleans in the 90s. I just didn’t know that many people into rock n roll when I got there. There’s tons of music there, I just needed to meet the right people. But I definitely did, because that where I met Sean. She had just stopped playing with White Zombie and was having a much needed break in New Orleans. After having a friendship for many years I finally got the opportunity to play with Sean, when she and Dava asked me to sing for Star and Dagger.

WSR – What’s it like working with Sean?

Von Hesseling – Sean definitely knows what she wants! She has a defined vision. And I think she was very much that way in White Zombie, she really looks at the overall picture. That being said, she is still incredibly open to new ideas and brainstorming as a band on songs and videos. We all have a blast coming up with ideas for the videos. It gets pretty absurd at times and then we figure out how to make it a reality. Having formed the band as friends, we also enjoy taking vacations together and going to see bands here in New Orleans. We both have active social lives.

WSR – Who besides yourself is in the band and what background are they from?

Von Hesseling – The core of Star and Dagger is Sean Yseult (White Zombie) Dava Shewolf( cycle Sluts from Hell) and Lil ol me, Von Hesseling. We are lucky enough to have Dave Catching( Queens of the Stone Age) and Gene Trautmann (eagles of Deathmetal) round out our line-up on occasion. Well also be playing with some other guest stars this summer in California.

WSR – What do you most enjoy about performing live?

Von Hesseling – I love taking the stage with Star and Dagger. I just let it rip! I’m definitely a mover! As I said I have a love for Miss Tina Turner, and I feel her raw energy when I’m onstage. Every song brings out a different feeling, and I like to deliver the songs with emotion and energy and a little head banging.
WSR – What are your musical influences?

Von Hesseling – My musical influences are all over the place, just like most people I guess. Really love psychedelic music like Hawk Wind and pretty Things, black Sabbath is an early love of mine as well as Hendrix and Bowie. Have a love of punk rock, cheesy metal and soul too. My greatest influence as a singer and performer is Tina Turner.

WSR – What do you like about being part of Star and Dagger?

Von Hesseling – I’m really proud of the song writing, it just a very different sound. It’s quintessentially us, you can tell it’s a Star and Dagger song. We’ve created a vibe.

WSR – What do you feel everyone brings to Star And Dagger?

Von Hesseling – I think we each bring our experience, both musically and in life. It allows us to write a song with depth and good riffs! Sean brings us discipline, Dava brings us a dream life, literally and figuratively, and I bring comic relief!

WSR – Why is Tina Turner your greatest influence?

Von Hesseling – Tina Turner really inspires me for the raw sexuality she brings to her performance, but she’s not selling sex. She’s a very natural performer, who you can tell enjoys what she’s singing. I also admire her for making an incredible come back when people had counted her out.

WSR – How would you describe the music you make?

Von Hesseling – The music we make in Star and Dagger is brooding, intense, melodic, with bursts of metal and blues.

WSR – What is the inspiration behind the name of the band?

Von Hesseling – The name came from Sean’s brain. That could be a band name as well.

WSR – What are rehearsal like for Star And Dagger?

Von Hesseling – Since we all live in different places, rehearsals usually take place in the city we are playing a show at. And we are all business, cause those rehearsal places cost money! Although Dava and I usually sneak in a little whiskey to keep us lubricated.

WSR – Where do you see your band in five years and what are your hopes for the future?

Von Hesseling – The impetus for the band has been and will continue to be, make music, and have fun. We really work and play well together.

WSR – Do you have any plans to tour Europe maybe?

Von Hesseling – We don’t have any current plans for Europe, but is definitely our wish to play there next summer.

WSR – Is there any place or venue you would like to play at and why?

Von Hesseling – We all took a great trip to Barcelona together when our friendship formed. So it’s definitely high on our list to return and rock! Brazil is also calling our name. Dream venue for me would be Playing on a beach somewhere, just not sounding like Jimmy Buffet!

WSR – What is the weirdest gig you have ever played?

Von Hesseling – I think our weirdest venue might have been a honky tonk bar in Lafayette, Louisiana. We were headed back to New Orleans after playing with Down in Houston and stopped there to play with some friends. Kind of a shack really, but the people were really nice.

WSR – Without giving too much away is there any instrument or program you wouldn’t be without and why?

Von Hesseling – The only real necessity for me is a nice whiskey before we play. Then I’m ready to sing my ass off!

WSR – Ah ha whiskey, so what is your favourite?

Von Hesseling – Makers Mark is my favourite, Sean likes Jameson, and Dava likes Wild Turkey. It makes our rider a little difficult!

WSR – Do you have any pre-gig rituals at all?

Von Hesseling – See above answer. No seriously! As long as we have a nice sound check, I’m ready to roll with a nice drink and a couple of stretches.

WSR – Do you have a band mascot?

Von Hesseling – Band mascot is Dave Catching. Especially when he dyes his beard pink.

WSR – Thank you so much for giving Wicked Spins Radio this interview, is there anything you would like to add?

Von Hesseling – Thanks for the interesting questions! Hope you guys get to see us in your neck of the woods. Spoken like a true southerner.