Detroit Perfect – I Don’t Wanna Go Home

Listen to the new song from Detroit Perfect – I Don’t Wanna Go Home

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Exclusive Interview

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
My name is Bill “Halfway” Hamill, the co-lead vocalist and acoustic guitar player for Detroit Perfect. The rest are Shonny Constant on vocals and electric guitar, Eric Bachman on Bass, and ChZk on drums. The four of us all went to East Detroit High School together once a long time ago, and are all 20 year veterans of the Metro Detroit rock music scene.

I’ll let our bio tell the rest: Detroit Perfect is an acoustic/ electric mashup of punk rock styles from first gen NY CBGB bands through the re-explosion of the 90′s, combined with protest and revolutionary songs spanning all generations, and a dash of glam rock piss, to taste. We keep hearing being asked what style of music we are after shows, and being told “I’ve never seen anything like that.” Hopefully you feel the same way, and until someone smarter comes up with a better name, we’re calling it dirt rock.

What do you have coming up? What are some of the new projects we can expect to see?
Tuesday, June 26 my first solo record Halfway Hamill “Everything to Me” will be released through iTunes, Amazon, etc. Maybe something new from Detroit Perfect. And of course you can purchase Detroit Perfect’s 1 and 2 anywhere on the web.

Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone.
I wrote the majority of “I Don’t Wanna Go Home” on a notebook at my cousin’s house on Long Island the night before I was driving back home to Detroit. I was feeling melancholy about having to leave the city that never sleeps, and returning home. As much as I love Detroit, hell, it’s in our name, it can be rather bleak. Also, my mother was very sick at the time, and it was just a very hard time in my life. On the drive home, I constantly sang the melody to myself, so I wouldn’t forget it. When I got home, I went right to Shawn’s, where we then polished it up. Shawn came up with a lot of the electric parts in the studio if I’m not mistaken.

How does your music separate yourself from other artists and bands out there?
As far as Detroit Perfect goes, I’d honestly say that there’s nothing like it. With the the contrast between Shawn and I’s vocals. Whereas I come from the Vince Neil/Bret Michaels school, I think he’d agree that his style is more akin to a Rancid. Also I think the addition of having the acoustic guitar behind the electric gives us a very unique sound, almost percussive.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
For myself personally, just proving myself as a draw, i.e., that people would pay to watch me perform.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
For me personally, it was the death of my parents. I know they wouldn’t want me to just sit on my ass and mope. It’s just been recently that I’ve forced myself to really put some effort in, because, let’s face it, it’s all I know how to do.

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
A big problem with performing musicians is getting paid. If you’re not a proven draw, chances are you’ll be playing for the door with four other bands. So, make sure if you can, to have someone working the door that you trust.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Make sure you get paid. ‘Nuff said.

What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
It seems as if social media is going to be the way for the foreseeable future. With all of the record stores going the way of the dodo, especially in a city like Detroit, where there’s no mass transportation and everything is so spread out, you can’t just rely on flyers anymore. I do make sure flyers are up at the venue at least two weeks prior though.

Where can people visit you?
www.facebook.com/DetroitPerfect
www.sonicbids.com/DetroitPerfect
www.facebook.com/DisruptorRecords
www.faebook.com/BillHamill