FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook has teamed up with documentary filmmaker Fran Strine and music manager Jamie Talbot to chronicle the story of world-renowned musicians who are not household names, but are instead the session and backup musicians who have performed at concerts and on countless recordings with huge stars yet remain largely unknown to the public. The film, called "Hired Gun", goes behind the scenes and explores the personalities and creativity of the best session players and backup musicians in the world, ranging from pianist/harpist Corky Hale, who has played with Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, to rock guitarist John 5 who has played with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson. A synopsis of the film described these musicians as "a group that possesses uncommon musical ability and an uncanny knack for being able to deliver a great performance time and again." Hook himself came out of that world before joining FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, doing stints with Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil and Alice Cooper. Asked by Musik Universe what it was like playing with Cooper, Hook said (see video below): "I just saw him recently when he came through Las Vegas. I got up on stage and jammed with him. And I'm just reminded how much I love that man; he's just an amazing guy. You have to understand, he's very patient and very generous. I kind of role-model myself off Alice. Because I would go with him
When I played in his band, I would go out with him in public and to the mall and stuff like that, and, of course, people would run up to him and say, 'I hate to bother you, but can I get a
?' And he was always, like, 'Yeah. Sure. No problem. Blah blab blah.' And then, when they leave, he would say, 'Just remember: whenever you're in public, you belong to the public. You're there, and if they want something, that's their time. If you don't wanna be harassed, don't go out in public. Stay away from it.' And I just thought it was so cool. And that's kind of the right way to treat people. I mean, when you meet people, you've got a choice: you can either ruin the experience, or enhance the experience. But they're gonna take that memory forever. So I just think he's amazing." Hook told The Pulse Of Radio he understands what it takes to catch a break with a big artist. "I went through years of trying to get gigs myself, and so I really understand what it's like to be the guy reaching out," he said. "And I always admired people that gave me a shot, recognizing that it's an unknown, you don't know if it's
The referrals are easy, when somebody says, 'I've got the perfect guy,' that door has been opened. But for you to open your own doors is very difficult." "Hired Gun" features interviews with Hook, Cooper, Jason Newsted (METALLICA), Aaron Lewis (STAIND), Richard Patrick (FILTER), former OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rudy Sarzo, KISS drummer Eric Singer, John 5, CHICKENFOOT drummer Kenny Aronoff, WHITESNAKE guitarist Steve Vai and others. Strine, who made films about STAIND, Dolly Parton and others, launched an Indiegogo campaign to fully finance the movie.
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