Hector is the lead percussion player in Chronixx’ Zinc Fence Redemption Band. He has toured the world and has played integral roles in the development of reggae music with other artists and through his lead role in Chronixx’s live show. His mother, Reggae songbird Barbara Jones, continues to have a major influence on his approach to music and the performing arts.
In this exclusive interview he speaks about his time on the road, making music with Chronixx and now branching out as a lead artist himself with his new single Ups and Downs.
How did you get into music?
I grew up in St. Catherine, I used to do a whole heap a choir, then I fell in love with the Drums. My first drum teacher was Jordache Jones. In high school I honed the craft. The after I graduated I enrolled in Edna(Manley College), then the real part of it start. The I started going to studio.
After you learned to play the drums what made you think you could do this as a professional?
It clicked to me that the reason I was so attracted to doing it is because my mother was doing it. My sister asked me what I want to do and I said entertainment law. She laughed and said you should do music.
While at Edna, who are some of the people you worked with in the begging?
Man like Montana, Mackie, Chevaughn, Feluke, Etana and started doing shows like Shaggy and friends, Dean Frazer, Rithie Spice, Tarrus Riley’s Christmas show every year. So between the start of Edna and the end I worked as backing band for a few..Iceman (laugh).
How important was studying the theory of music to your professional career now?
If I never studied I don’t think I would have the depth and the insight that I have for music. It takes talent bredrin and you have to find a way to not just leave it at talent. It enables me to create as artist. To look at society and see what is happening and when you know the music theory it gives a stronger power to make music and know what you are doing.
How did you meet Chronixx?
We usually see each other on the very active Kingston music scene and he would always say me rate you inuh my youth but we never spoke for long. Someone called me to say they want me to come play percussion on this show in Negril. At the rehearsal for the show Chronixx was there, we did the show and we talked again. He said if I ever have a band one day I would want you to play.
He did his first ‘Start A Fire” tour and I did a show for Kelissa, when I done the show I went to bless him up and when I went to bless him top he said him ready now to work with me. From there we start.
You were there in the early stages, what is it like creating music with Chronixx?
The experience is an experience for me. The first time we made music was Chronology album. He has a way and a gift to show you how to attached the little pieces to make the music pure and come together. Its just an experience. Him also trust the musicians around him to an extent but he will also direct. Him really know how music works.
Which songs did you work on from Chronology?
I worked on ‘Skanking Sweet’ percussion, I sang harmonies on ‘I Can’ and ‘Christina’, I played on ‘Black Is Beautiful’, ‘Big Bad Sound’ and I sang on ‘Tell Me Now’.
You usually just see the drummer play and do their thing in the background, what’s that characteristic that makes you so performative?
I am a persona who can transition through movement. The dance I have to go with the movement inside me. It’s just a groove and a commitment to how the music should sound and an energy too. When we tour with Chronixx its a whole heap a new crowd, so I glad seh God make me that way because without that energy we couldn’t break in front of certain crowds.
Where is the most interesting place you toured with Chronixx?
Japan, how they live and interact with each other. The technology, the movement, the forward thinking. We were saying we would spend a year in Japan. In Thailand I love the Buddha temples, when you land you see a big Buddha temple. So yeah Thailand and Japan.
So now you have your own album?
We don’t have a name but we have this song Ups And Downs. So far it is getting a good vibe and it’s not necessarily the most choppy bars but it’s based on the struggles I went through.
How has music helped you to heal?
Music helped me to look inside myself and know about parts of myself I didn’t know I wold have to deal with. When a man fall and him nuh give up, after a while him get up and rise and music help me to know who me is.
You are your top five artists?
Capleton, Supercat, Agent Sasco, Vybz Kartel and top it off Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man.
When it comes to Reggae its Bob Marley, Barbara Jones (mom), Dennis Brown, John Holt and Marcia Griffiths.
Hector thanks for join World Music Views.
