05.21.07
Interview with: HAL SPARKS of ZERO 1
By Stacy Sardelli
Editor in Chief

Metal / Rock / Powerpop

Zero 1 are: Hal Sparks (vox, rhythm & lead guitar), Robert Hall (bass, backing vox) and Miles Loretta (drums, backing vox).

"Zero 1 has released their debut CD. You can purchase it at Halsparks.com, zero1band.com and iTunes. It was released on the independent Sonic Icon record label. The disc was produced by legendary King's X frontman Doug Pinnick and engineered by Mike Partnin at Blacksound."

Interview

Babble & Beat - How long have you been playing guitar?

Hal - I've been playing since I was in High School. But mostly just as a song writer. It wasn't 'til about 3 years ago that I could play and sing at the same time. I like really complicated riffs and chord progressions and that didn't make it any easier.

In trying to emulate my guitar heroes, like Ty Tabor, John Sykes and Zakk Wylde, I would write songs that I could barely play, much less sing and play. But after a lot of frustration and struggle I went to bed on a Sunday night and when I woke up Monday morning I could play and sing... viola. I guess it's like stick shift. One day a switch flips on in your head and then you have it.

Babble & Beat - We know that you and Robert Hall (bassist) met on the E! Talk Soup set and that both of you have similar taste in music.

How did you guys hook up with Miles Loretta (drums)?

Hal - He's my cousin. He had been playing in bands in the Midwest for almost 15 years and I basically drafted him into the band. I booked a gig and then told him I needed him to play. We played together so well he moved to L.A. and joined for real. I don't know if it's because our mothers are sisters and therefore we have similar heart rhythms, or we just love the same kind of music, but I can lock into his playing very naturally.

Babble & Beat - Doug Pinnick of King’s X produced your album. That’s crazy! You must have been bouncing off the walls when that was arranged! What was going through your mind at that time?

Hal - It was actually very intimidating at first. He's a great guy and incredibly laid back and we got into a total comfort zone musically. We've been friends for years but plugging in that first day and playing the songs for him in a shitty rehearsal space in Hollywood was nerve-racking.

Babble & Beat - In your own words, why should people buy your debut album, ‘Zero 1’ ?

Hal - Because it's honest music. I worked hard on it and I mean every word I say on it and every note I play. I'm one of those people who believes that music is priceless. There is no amount of money that I could pay for the song 'Summerland' by King's X that would equal its value in my life.

That being said... there are people who helped on the album who only get paid if we make money and the biggest part is for them. I co-wrote the song 'She Waits' with a friend from High School and I'd love for him to get some reward out of this. If people only downloaded the album without buying it that's a huge difference for him and the rest of the band.

Babble & Beat - You couldn't have said it any better.

Can you give us any details on your upcoming tour? Any other dates and venues confirmed yet?

Hal - We're just in rehearsals right now. I start a movie in June for a few weeks and we're hoping to go out right after I finish. I know we'll make it to Chicago and NYC and we have offers throughout the West Coast and North East. So, we'll be all over.

Babble & Beat - Can you please tell us a bit about your part in Nickelodeon’s upcoming TV series, Tak and the Power of Juju?

Hal - I play Tak. He's a young Shaman in training. The show is based on a very popular video game and it's big with the 6-12 year old group. The writers on the show are hilarious and have a very Bugs Bunny / Space Ghost kind of sensibility. The odd thing is I... I think I'm starting to look like Tak.

Babble & Beat - We understand that you have done some web design. When the heck did you find time to learn that?

Hal - Early on it was my way of waiting tables. Everybody does something to pay the bills when they are starting out. I used to teach Kung Fu and do web design. Plus, when you are named after a computer you damn well should know a lot about them!

Babble & Beat - So, your parents were Space Odyssey fans. Computer in it was named HAL 9000.

You're a busy guy. How much sleep do you normally get at night?

Hal - 6-7 hours. Any more and I feel like I'm missing something.

Babble & Beat - Can you tell us something valuable you learned from a couple of the actors/actresses (not their characters) on Queer As Folk?

Hal - Sharon Gless taught me a lot about being authentic. And Thea Gill was able to just own her role so effortlessly while still having a very dynamic sense of self. They were both a study in professionalism.

Babble & Beat - Sharon Gless... love her. She just seems so darn sweet.

Juicy Tidbits Section

This is where we ask personal questions for the fans. Yeah, they're often stupid questions. We like reading the answers though!

Babble & Beat - Say you’re ready to get your first tattoo. What would it be of and where would it go?

Hal - I have a magic symbol I made in High School. It would be a big part of that first tattoo. As for where? I would probably go to Tim Kern. He's a great artist and a good dude.

Babble & Beat - How do you organize and store your music CDs and albums? We’re assuming you have a substantial collection!

Hal - I have boxes of CDs. Once they are loaded into my iPod they are pretty much just archived. My albums I keep in a crate... unless I want them framed. I have my first KISS album and King's X - 'Out of the Silent Planet' framed, along with my autographed copy of Weird Al's 'Dare to Be Stupid'.

Babble & Beat - Cool. Al is a genius, and a bit underrated one too.

What was the last AS SEEN ON TV product you purchased or really desired? You know, like the Bacon Wave, Urine Gone, The Ove Glove, Snor Enz, Space Bags, Pocket Fisherman, etc.

Hal - Anthony Robbins' Get The Edge? Does that count?

Babble & Beat -I had to look that one up. Now, I recall his cameo in Shallow Hal (and Reality Bites?).

Have you ever had an unexplained paranormal experience?

Hal - Many. I grew up in a haunted house. My Sister and I saw glowing figures float through our living room in Peaks Mill (KY). Apparently I had an out of body experience in Louisville when I was 3 that my mom used to talk about. I saw the ghost at the old state Library in Frankfort when I was 10. And of course I met Gary Busey so...

Babble & Beat - What are your 5 (or so) favorite places in the Chicagoland area?

Hal - Homers in Kenilworth, North and Wells (Second City/Zanies), The Beach in Wilmette, Chinatown, Navy Pier, Millennium Park... I friggin' love that city.

Babble & Beat -I just went down to see Millennium Park for the first time a couple of months ago. It's really, really cool. I used to live in the suburbs of Chicago. I miss it to death.

What’s your favorite cologne?

Hal - I don't wear cologne. It hides my magnetic pheromones.

In Closing

Hal -Thanks again!

Babble & Beat - Hal, we just love your work all-around! We're so excited to have had this opportunity! Thanks so much!

Links:
Zero 1 website
Zero 1 MySpace - music clips!
Hal Sparks (Actor) MySpace
Hal Sparks (Comedian) MySpace