Some fun questions:

SZ: What other outside interests do you have?

Tom Hess: Traveling to Europe, genealogy, space exploration, 19th century music history. Collecting and reading books about F. Chopin.

Mike Walsh: I really got into hot rods the last 5 years. I own a 69 gto and a 87 grand national. With some of the time off I started a small website for guys to soup up there cars. I found items that are cheaper alternatives to the high dollar parts and offer the same performance and quality. www.spoolinup.com. It should be ready be the end of July.

Mark Carozza: I like to watch movies, and listen to as many different kinds of music as possible.

SZ: Favorite movies?

Mark Carozza: Happiness, Dark City, Heat

Tom Hess: As a kid, I grew up on and loved the Star Wars movies. Other movies I liked a lot are: What Dreams May Come, Gladiator, Immortal Beloved, Pearl Harbor, Contact.

SZ: Favorite actor and actress?

Tom Hess: Actors: old Clint Eastwood, Robert Dinero and Russell Crow.

SZ: Favorite food and drink?

Tom Hess: Steak Fajitas and Milk.

SZ: Favorite song?

Tom Hess: There are lots of great songs out there, I donšt have one favorite rock song. I can tell you that my favorite collection of music is Chopinšs Opus 28 (24 Preludes). (These being among my most favorite of the preludes: #1, #4, #6, #9, #15, #20 and #24).

SZ: Favorite Book?

Tom Hess: : I own over 30 books about Chopinšs, life and music, it would have to be one of those books as well as my college music theory and counterpoint books.

SZ: What sports do you enjoy or take part in?

Mark Carozza: I like hockey, and I've been trying to learn some tricks on a skateboard.

Tom Hess: I used to play football when I was a kid, but I stopped playing soon after I began playing guitar so I could focus on music more.

SZ: Is your guitar playing, touring, recording your full time job, or do you do that along with other things to supplement your income?

Tom Hess: Along with playing, recording, composing, etc. I teach 60+ guitar students every week, so I am always very busy. I know that Mike and Mark teach a lot of students as well.

SZ: Favorite music related websites:

Mike Walsh: www.sage4.com ( my other bands website )

Tom Hess: www.guitar9.com

SZ: Favorite Non-music related websites:

Tom Hess: NASA's site, genealogy sites.

SZ: Favorite Guitar Magazine:

Tom Hess: I donšt really like the national guitar mags in the U.S. because they donšt give high-caliber guitarists the coverage, and credit that they deserve, they all seem more interested in featuring bands like Limp Bisket, Korn, Blink 182, etc. There is a smaller guitar magazine in the New York area called Guitar2001 which is focused more on high-caliber music. We are fortunate to be in the most recent issue.

SZ: Can you share some words of wisdom?

Mark Carozza: Listen to as many different styles of music as possible.

Tom Hess: To whom? Musicians? Do what you really want to do and focus on that?  Surround yourself with people and things that inspire you. Be a sponge and absorb as much info as you can regarding your goals. Listen to a lot of music. Practice your instrument 7 days a week. Write and improvise music. Have these three things: Passion, Perseverance and Patience and you will go far.

Mike Walsh: I could not have said it any better, unless I were to say it 1st.

SZ: Where can our readers go to hear and buy your CDs including other works you can be found on?

Tom Hess: You can hear our music at http://hess.4t.com

To order by credit card, here is a direct link to order Opus 1 at guitar9.com: http://www.guitar9.com/opusone.html

By mail order they can send $12.00 US dollars to:

HESS
PO Box 113
Cary, IL 60013 United States of America

Homepage Url: http://hess.4t.com
Other websites you can be found on: Opus 1 has been featured and reviewed in lots of places, but these are the sites that sell the CD:
www.guitar9.com
www.cdbaby.com
www.angelo.com
www.cdstreet.com

Contact email address: hess@mc.net ~Tom Hess~

SZ: Well folks that about wraps it up for this one. Hope everyone enjoyed the insight into the neo-classical world of shred from HESS. Keep an eye out for their new record to be release in the near future.