A Drummers Drummer Jason Hartless

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Drummer at Ted Nugent

Interview conduct on August 03, 2019

by Dan Locke

Jason Hartless has performed with legendary artists such as Ted Nugent, Joe Lynn Turner & Mitch Ryder. Jason started drumming at the age of 6 months old. He created a buzz in the music industry and at 8 years old he recorded his first album with rock legends Corky Laing (Mountain), Richie Scarlet (Ace Frehley) and Jim McCarty (Cactus, The Rockets, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels).

Dan Locke: You started playing drums at 6 months old. Who was the one who started you on your career of choice?

Jason Hartless: Well, my dad was a professional drummer, so the drums were already in the house. When I was very little, my dad would sit me on his lap and I would bang away at the kit. Then by the time, I could walk, I would crawl onto the kit and play myself. Playing has just always been a love of mine since the start.

Are there any videos of you at this early age playing?

Absolutely, my parents filmed a ton of stuff when I was very little. Some is floating around on the internet. Pearl Drums has even used some of that old footage in some promotional videos I have done for them.

What was your first drum set and do you still have it?

My first kit was a Pearl Export Kit that I got for Christmas in 2000. I still have it and even used it in a promotional video that Pearl Drums did in a series were Pearl artists talked about their first drum set.

What style of drumming is the hardest for you to play?

I have always tried to cater myself on being able to play as many styles as possible. Every style has its own stylistic differences that make them have unique challenges.

At 8 years old you recorded your first album with rock legends Corky Laing (Mountain), Richie Scarlet (Ace Frehley) and Jim McCarty (Cactus, The Rockets, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels). How did this come to be?

Very long series of events, but Richie Scarlet is my godfather and he was playing bass for Mountain when I just started off playing gigs when I was 5 years old. I was a big Corky Laing fan, so my cover band used to play a few Mountain songs. My dad sent Richie a video of me playing “Nantucket Sleighride” by Mountain, and he ended up showing Corky. After that my dad got a call from Corky saying he wanted to work with me. So in the early 2000s, Corky and I worked on my solo record, which really was recorded just as a reason for Corky mentor me through a recording session. So, during the making, my Dad and Corky wanted to bring in legendary Detroit guitarist Jim McCarty to play a track on the record. It is a cool little record that was really an amazing experience.

At 12 years old you toured as the support act for Motley Crue, Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool, Rev Theory. What was the name of your band and how did your parents feel about you being on tour with the likes of Motley Crue?

Well, I was 12 years old when I started touring with various artists; and then in 2009 at 14 years old, I toured with a band called SHRAM that was an opening act on the Crue Fest 2 tour. It was such an unbelievable experience and was my first major tour playing amphitheaters. It was the summer between my 8th and 9th-grade year, so coming into High School, I kind of had a choice of doing Marching Band or touring with Motley Crue that summer hahaha. But being that my dad was in the industry and I also had to travel with one of my parents, my dad acted as tour manager for the band I was playing with on that tour.

Any stories you can talk about that wasn’t in the Motley Crue rockumentary Dirt?

On the Motley Crue Crue Fest 2 tour enjoying a day off at the Tiki Bar in West Palm Beach

I actually haven’t seen the film yet.

How was it to work with Ted Nugent again after being in a support band for him?

This being my 4th year in the Ted Nugent band, it has been nothing but an amazing experience working with a rock legend such as Ted. In 2014, when the artist I was touring with at the time “Pistol Day Parade” opened for Ted for the summer, it was always a treat being able to watch Ted blow people minds every night; now I get to share the stage with him every night. I never thought that I would end up joining the band for Ted’s next tour.

Jason Hartless with Ted Nugent credit:Scott Legato)

What so special about a Wood Fiberglass kit?

One of my hobbies is collecting Vintage Pearl drums, so when Pearl decided to reintroduce their legendary Wood-Fiberglass line of drums in 2015, I was very quick at the chance to use those drums. I was really honored with Pearl asked me to actually do all of the product demo videos for the kit as well. There is a uniqueness that those drums have over any other type of drum shell; they are fat but with a lot of attacks.

Since you are from Fraser Michigan. I am going to ask you about some bands from Michigan. I would like you to get some feedback on them.

MC5 – The true godfathers of Punk Rock; there has never been a band that was able to put off the energy the way they did.
Alice Cooper – Big Influence on me when I was little. There was a Live Cooper DVD from 2000 that I basically wore out when I was little. It had Eric Singer on drums and Greg Smith on Bass. Which is crazy because Eric is a very dear friend of mine and Greg is now my bass player with Ted Nugent.
Question Mark and the Mysterians – Great band that gets overlooked. One of my first hired gigs as a studio musician was playing on an acid jazz track for the original guitar player from ? and The Mysterians.
Grand Funk Railroad – Powerhouse band from Flint. Before every show, Nugent comes onstage to “We’re An American Band”
The Romantics – Killer band. I have gotten to know a few of the guys over the years
Bill Haley – Another Detroit native that never gets recognized as a Detroit artist because he broke when he was living else were. But without a doubt the godfather of rock & roll.
Brownsville Station – Another killer band that doesn’t get the credit they are deserved. Co-Founder Michael Lutz is a dear friend and former Nugent musician from the 90s; Michael also produced the latest Nugent album that we recorded in 2018.
Suzi Quatro – Powerhouse female musician that set the path for so many greats to come. My record label has obtained the rights to release an early live album from the legendary Grade Ballroom from 1970 when Suzi was on with her sisters called Cradle.
You are currently going to Berklee College of Music working towards a masters degree in Music Business. Which is a very smart move. What would you like to do with this degree?
Well, I know that there will come a day where my phone will stop ringing as a player, so I want to make sure that I set myself up to be in a position where I can sustain a position in other aspects in the industry so I am not left without a gig and having to play a small night club to make $50 to survive.
Jason Bonham vs. John Bonham
I am going to get a lot of flack for this, but I prefer Jason Bonham over John. He can play like his dad but with a little more chops.
Neil Peart vs Buddy Rich
Love Neil, but hands down Buddy. There never was and will never be another player like Buddy Rich.
Keith Moon vs. David Grohl
The Who is my favorite band of all time, so no comparison, Keith Moon. I said this in an interview with Drumhead Magazine a few years ago but I still think it’s true; Keith was the greatest, shittiest drummer. He never played the same thing twice and really had no idea what he was doing but everything he played was magic and almost impossible to replicate. But with that being said, Dave has a signature groove that is hard to replicate as well.
Ginger Baker vs Lars Ulrich
Neither was an influence on me but I have to go with Ginger Baker because of his unique approach to the kit. It was very jazz-based with a bit of Keith Moon mixed in.