Singer/Songwriter Brad Heller talks of the importance of tackling social issues with his music, the North Carolina music scene, his creative process and the advice of always being on time for soundcheck, treating other musicians with respect and with an open mind, and don’t ever piss off the sound-man, or venue.

Vizions of Rock: Who plays what instruments in the band?

BRAD HELLER: I have a rotating cast of musicians who play with me on the road, and in the studio. My road line-up consists of Bobby Frith (electric guitar/backing vox), Everett Dimenna/Joel Sugarman (bass), and Gabe Jones (drums). I play acoustic and electric guitar, as well as harmonica. For my studio recordings I always utilize my longtime stalwarts Ted Crenshaw (guitars/bass), Ronn Pifer (drums/percussion), and Phil Bevilacqua (keys).

Vizions of Rock: Where did the name Brad Heller and the Fustics come from and why?

BRAD HELLER: We started out as an acoustic trio, and needed an on-the-fly band name for an unexpected early gig. It just came to me as I was pressured to come up with a name in the moment. It simply means we “fuse” acoustic music.

Vizions of Rock: How did the band come together and how long have you been together?

BRAD HELLER: I moved to North Carolina after meeting a good friend on my travels, and we decided to start a folk trio. This was over fifteen years ago. However, the sound and style has changed dramatically. We are more of a rock n’ roll outfit now.

Vizions of Rock: For your 2019 album “The Sentence”, you are tackling some heavy topics. Issues of loss, self-imposed alienation, abandonment of faith, addiction and immigration are strong themes on the album. Were these subjects something you consciously or unconsciously set out to explore at the onset of writing this album?

BRAD HELLER: I have always tackled social issues in my writing. I believe this stems from the early singer-songwriters I listened to, and my family’s interest in social and political issues. This was an extremely personal record for me as well. I tend to write about the American experience from the viewpoint of the proletariat, the alienated, and downtrodden. The subjects I dealt with on “The Sentence” were extensions of topics I have embraced on my previous records.

Vizions of Rock: We have interviewed a few singer/songwriters who have transplanted to North Carolina. How is the music scene in Wilmington, NC and is there something unique about NC for singer/songwriters that the world doesn’t know about?

BRAD HELLER: North Carolina has had a burgeoning music scene for quite some time. Asheville, Raleigh-Durham, and Wilmington are all fantastic cities that embrace original music of all genres. Plus, logistically it sits in a perfect geographical position to tour in any direction. We are never too far away from another great town in another state.

Vizions of Rock: As a musician you have been described as playing a myriad of genres, how would you describe your sound, and what is your favorite genre to play?

BRAD HELLER: I describe our music as roots-rock, but we also delve into old-school country, blues, folk, indie-rock, and occasional dabs of punk. I tend to gravitate towards singer-songwriters, but I have no favorite genre. I just love great, thoughtful songwriting.

Vizions of Rock: When I listen to your music, I am struck by the lyrics. You truly are a poetic story teller. Do your lyrics dictate the tone of the song, or do you first write the music and then add the lyrics?

BRAD HELLER: I get that question frequently. I have no formula for my creative process. Sometimes I write the lyrics first, and at other times I may come up with a chord progression I like, or some cool melody line first. I then try to meld the lyrics and melody together depending on the mood of the song. I try to do whatever comes naturally without ever trying to force anything.

Vizions of Rock: As a follow up - How does your song come together, where do you get your inspiration?

BRAD HELLER: I get most of my inspiration from life experience, and self-education. I always try to be aware of past and current events, and the implications those events have on society. It seems the more I read, the more I seem to write.

Vizions of Rock: How do you think the music industry has changed over the last 20 years and is there anything that you wish you could change about it?

BRAD HELLER: I think the biggest change has been file-sharing. This has decimated labels, and the old-school model of the industry. However, it has allowed independent artists to be in control of their own careers and get their music out on a wider scale. Social media and streaming has given musicians an opportunity to reach an audience they may have never been able to reach before. I simply try to evolve in any current musical climate.

Vizions of Rock: Do have any advice for up and coming musicians who want to follow in your footstep, aside from “Stay in school” and “Don’t quit your day job”?

BRAD HELLER: Always be on time for soundcheck, treat all other musicians with respect and an open mind, and don’t piss off the soundman, or venue.

Vizions of Rock: Is there a message that you’re trying to communicate with your original music?

BRAD HELLER: I really don’t have a singular message I am trying to convey. I simply try to write songs that resonate with any listener willing to invest their time in them.

Vizions of Rock: Who are your influences?

BRAD HELLER: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Jay Farrar, Otis Redding, Jason Isbell, John Fogerty, Marvin Gaye, Joe Strummer, John Mellencamp, too many more to list, and the musicians I surround myself with. I try to be a sponge with their ideas.

Vizions of Rock: What do you like best about being a musician and what is the worst part about being a musician?

BRAD HELLER: Whenever someone responds favorably to an original song you wrote, that is an amazing feeling. The worst part of being a musician is an audience who has no intention of giving your sound and songs a chance. They are unwilling to try something new.

Vizions of Rock: Is there a tag line that describes BRAD HELLER AND THE FUSTICS?

BRAD HELLER: Original eclectic-rock

Vizions of Rock: What is on the horizon for the future?

BRAD HELLER: Keep touring in support of “The Sentence”, and keep writing more songs for a possible 2021 release.

Vizions of Rock: How can we find you music?

BRAD HELLER: www.bradhellermusic.com , www.facebook.com/thefustics , Spotify (both Brad Heller page and Brad Heller and The Fustics page), Apple Music, Amazon, and all the other online culprits. Thanks for having me!!