I’ve had many interesting conversations with Jamie Hargate, guitarist of the Hellions. While Jamie is obviously a huge fan of Turbonegro, he, like his bandmates, is also a huge Nirvana fan—and even plays a Kurt Cobain signature model Fender Jaguar. Jamie’s wife, Danielle, recently told me that Jamie is also a huge fan (bordering on obsession) of Britney Spears. For more information on the Hellions, visit the Hellions Facebook page. Hargate was excited to take the Lucky 13—he replied “Hell yeah!” when I asked him—and here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
The first band I saw live was Kyuss at the Palm Desert Country Club in September 1992. The cousin of a friend of mine took us to a “movie.” I was in seventh-grade. The first big show was Beastie Boys, Rollins Band and Cypress Hill in November 1992.
What was the first album you owned?
Anthrax, State of Euphoria; Guns N’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction; and Black Flag, Everything Went Black.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Turbonegro, Hornss, You Know Who, and Unsound.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I’m sure I’ll get crucified for this but … I give no shits! I cannot stand the following: Rush, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thorogood, and Pink Floyd. I could go for more, but I’m cool.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live
Nirvana (again), The Doors, and Minor Threat.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Brittney Spears—I’ve seen her, but would like to see her again—Katy Perry and Elton John.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Hollywood Palladium; The Roxy in Los Angeles; and Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Cleveland.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Beast of Burden” from the Rolling Stones, but I think they sing “My pizza’s a-burnin’.”
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Nirvana. I was a huge fun of Guns N’ Roses, Skid Row, Poison, etc., when I was 11-12 years old. Then I heard Nirvana, and it all changed. I was very fortunate to see Nirvana twice at the age of 14 and 15. Around the same time, I was hockey-skating at the mall ice rink and became friends with Jesse Hughes, and he turned me on to Jane’s Addiction, Primus, Sonic Youth, Adolescents, Black Flag, etc. It was great to be in the seventh-grade and having older/wiser friends!
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I don’t have one. I’m a musician, and I ask myself too many questions as it is.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Three songs: Alice in Chains, “Down in a Hole”; Black Flag, “Six Pack”; and Nirvana, “Endless, Nameless.”
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Nirvana, Nevermind.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Turbonegro, “Good Head.” (Scroll down to hear it!)
