Helion Prime
Interview conducted on Aug. 28, 2020
By Dan Locke
The single “Madame Mercury” is based on NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson. Johnson studied how to use geometry for space travel. She figured out the paths for the spacecraft to orbit (go around) Earth and to land on the Moon. NASA used Johnson’s math, and it worked! NASA sent astronauts into orbit around Earth. Later, her math helped send astronauts to the Moon and back. NASA could not have done these things without Katherine Johnson and her love for math!
Helion Prime is:
Mary Zimmer – Vocals
Jason Ashcraft – Rhythm Guitars
Chad Anderson – Lead Guitars
Jeremy Steinhouse – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums
What is your upbringing?
-Believe it or not, I grew up as a country boy. Slamming to Garth Brooks and George Straight. Pure country was one of my favorite movies I’d always watch when I went to my grandparent’s house. I think my journey into metal begins like a lot of others. I was digging through my Dad’s tapes and found the black album by Metallica. I heard Enter Sandman and basically my country days were done overnight. It wasn’t until a few years later a friend got me into bands like Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden, etc. that I really immersed myself in metal.
How did you discover music?
-I might have accidentally answered this question above. Dad’s tapes! Haha
How did you start to write music?
-The moment I really got into metal and playing guitar I knew it’s something I wanted to do as well. I didn’t actually start writing my own music, well dare I say ‘good’ music until I was about 18 and even then, I wouldn’t consider it too great. I’m not a big fan of the old Dire Peril EPs haha. I knew I wanted to perform but more than that I wanted to create my own music and it just took off from there.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
-My first guitar was gifted to me by a neighbor. Her husband had just passed away and she passed the guitar down to me. I don’t have it anymore and have no idea what happened to in. I wish I took better care of it as a kid.
What was your first performance at like?
-I think my first real performance was a talent show in high school. I can’t remember everything we played but I know we did Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult and The Power Rangers theme song.
What makes a good songwriter?
-All I can give on this is my personal opinion. The first thing I would say is who are you writing for? What’s the purpose of the song? What are you trying to get across? Are you hired to write a song for an artist/band and then you deliver what they wanted; that’s a good songwriter. Can you write a style of music on the spot; that’s a good songwriter. Then there is writing for yourself and reflecting how you feel. Are you true to yourself? Are you speaking from your heart? That’s a good songwriter. The world could hate your song but if it’s what you were trying to reflect and your message has been said that’s all that matters.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I sadly have no idea haha
How did you start the band?
The band was started when I took a break from my band Dire Peril. I wanted to do something new. So, Heather (singer at the time) and I decided to write a few songs together for fun. Didn’t really have plans for anything else but five years later here we are.
How the band did get its name?
It’s a planet from the film Chronicles of Riddick
How did you get Mary Zimmer from Luna Mortis?
I have known Mary for some time. I originally asked her to join the band after Heather left and she turned the offer down. We remained in touch and I even took a few vocal lessons from her. She filled in on the Unleash the Archers tour back in 2018 and the chemistry on stage and off was fantastic. So, all the pieces really came together.
The Kickstarter for the new album did very well. You reached your goal and plus some. What are you going to use the money for?
-Magic cards mostly.
-No! We outlined everything on the page of what the money was for. It went into the production of the album from mixing/mastering to printing and videos.
Your new release Question Everything comes out Oct. 5. The new release has 9 songs on it with each song revolving around different figures throughout human history that had the courage to question the status quo. Your song “Madame Mercury” honors NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. Is this the most powerful track on the album?
-I like to think they are all-powerful in their own way but if I had to give an answer, I would say no. To me personally, the title track is the most powerful and I strongly think it will become an instant fan favorite.
Jason- You are a big fan of Plant of the Apes. Which version is the best and why?
1968- Movie
2001- Movie
2014- Movie
Television Series
Cartoon series
-My favorite movies of all time are 2001 A Space Odyssey and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. The second film in the reboot series. Matt Reeves and the team just did an amazing job bringing that world to life. I loved that there was good and bad on both sides (humans and apes) and even those who were evil just acted out of fear. It’s a stunning film. Of course, the original is an iconic classic!
What is your favorite track on the album?
-I think my personal favorites are “Question Everything” and “Reawakening”
How do you stay healthy while touring?
-Oh, I don’t. haha
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
-It’s a gift and a curse for sure. There are many people who have answered this question better than I think I possibly could.
Digital vs. vinyl?
-I’ve never really been a vinyl guy so I can’t say. I guess digital because I can’t really plug a vinyl into my car when I’m driving and really want to hear that song!
What are your feelings about social uprising going on in the United States?
-It’s sad how divided we have all become.
What is the mental health situation of the United State? How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?
-I will respectfully decline to answer as I’m not in the medical field and have no ground to speak on the matter.
Do you think kids should go back to school this fall?
-No.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
-Honestly none. Been so focused on the new album.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
-For me, it’s too soon to really say.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
-Playing a lot of Magic, the Gathering
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
-MTG all day!
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite
streaming channel?
-Whichever has the show I want to watch at that moment?
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
-We have discussed this idea. We have no immediate plans to do it but it’s something I would like to do.
Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams,
performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
-It’s hard to make a living doing concerts the normal way lol. So, we shall see.
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
-It’s something we are already used to. Nothing really new here, but again it’s too soon to really say about anything of this.
The Hyperspace Metal Festival was postponed. How are you feeling about that? Because if it happens, is that your band is from the United States. You would have to quarantine for 14 days. How that would had worked for you?
-It’s sad for sure. Joey and the gang who puts on Hyperspace are amazing people and have given nothing but respect to all my bands. So anytime he wants us we are there!
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
-I really really hope not.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
-Not a fan myself.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
-Hopefully back to touring and at least two more albums into our career.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
-Thank you for your time and those reading this check out our new album out on October 5th!
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