THE LOUDEST ROCK - NOVEMBER 7, 2003


The Loudest Rock:   Hello Rich, Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
Tell us about yourself and the history of the band up till now.
Rich Hofherr:   Well, I'm the Lead Guitar player for a Rock band from Chicago called "7th heaven".
7th heaven has been around since 1985 in one form or another. In 2000, we had our music played on MTV, Discovery Channel
and performed live on the "Jenny Jones Show". We just released our best product yet, a double CD of 30 songs called "Silver".

The Loudest Rock:   Now the band is your brianchild and has been around for quite sometime. You have made quite a few weaves
throughout the country and most of of all IL. Can you give us any insight on why you think that you and the band haven't
blown up BIGGER on a MAJOR LEVEL.
Rich Hofherr:   Actually it's because we really have not tried... we've not tried for a record deal... we have been ridding under the
radar, but we gross over $200,000 and are always in the black so thats why we haven't shopped for a deal,
however with this new cd release of "Silver" we may just look to go big time with this....

The Loudest Rock:   Your songs have been featured on MTV and the band even played on "Jenny Jones Show".
How did you guys hook that up, and what was it like?
Rich Hofherr:   Well MTV was a honor and "Jenny Jones Show" was GREAT exposer... all I did was send them this CD,
In fact If they like the last CD, they are gonna LOVE this CD!!!!

The Loudest Rock:   You are not only guitarists/keyboardist/singer/songwriter but are also MANAGER, VIDEO DIRECTOR,
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEBMASTER, BOOKING AGENT, PROMOTER and most of all PRODUCER!?!
That is quite impressive. Any reason why you are the man of so many hats? Also would you be open to a OUTSIDE producer?
Rich Hofherr:   Well, actually I just wanted to be a guitar player in a band and each time I came up to a obsticle with the band
I overcame it by learning the job that needed to get done. I could probally give up almost every hat except songwriter and producer...
I know exactly how I want the band to sound and when I write a song I hear it completely as I produce it.
I would describe it as building a great house (song) and having someone eles decorate it (produce).
It just wouldn't be comfortable to me unless I produced it.

The Loudest Rock:   Now I recently heard your song "Cellophane". I must say I was quite impressed and so will the rest of the
listeners here at TLRock. I have to say it had alot of Def Leppard infuelnce in it. I saw that on your site you make mention that
"Hysteria" is a favorite album of yours, and "Photograph" as you favorite rock song...
Would you say that this is a factor in your bands music?
Rich Hofherr:   Yes very much so, influences are always important and help keep growth of good things.
EVERY artists is influenced by something and for me great songs and good production is 2 things that REALLY influence me
and I would have to say Def Leppard "Hysteria" falls into both catagory's (SEVEN hit songs on one CD.. THAT'S influencial)...
if people say we are a modern Def Leppard, then I'm honored...

The Loudest Rock:   Speaking of Def Leppard. What are your thoughts on the new album and the bands longevity?
Rich Hofherr:   Def Leppard's "X" CD, I think the new CD they just did is awesome, there's alot of great material on the CD
and it has a great modern sound. I think the longevity of Def Leppard is capturing a sound and songs that can attract the masses...
still to this day I see people react positivly to "Pour Some Sugar On Me".... and if you in that band you'd be foolish not to give
the fans the music they want... even if it's from a few years ago...
as Frank Sinatra once said "You have a hit song, you have a career"... Def Leppard has many career's.

The Loudest Rock:   How do you feel about some of the bands like yourself out there still waving the flag for our music?
Rich Hofherr:   I think every band should play music that makes them feel good and that they can put their heart and soul into it.
Never be ashamed of a style of music you like to write/play/perform... part of what people like to see/hear is people excelling at
things they do well, just look at sports figures.. the ones that excell are ones that people LOVE to see.

The Loudest Rock:   Any young bands or unknowns that you enjoying listning to, or appreciate what they are doing?
Rich Hofherr:   Dan Reed Network..what a great band that the masses missed, unbelievable songs.
Rage Against The Machine rocks for the GREAT guitar playing. Linkin Park has a cool sound.
Incubus, the singer is the BEST singer of today's music, his accuracy is PERFECT!

The Loudest Rock:   When you record, what is your approach and do you take as long as MUTT (Lange)?
Rich Hofherr:   Funny.. yes I think I probally take as long as Mutt, "Silver" took 2 years to write 150 songs for it, tracked 80,
finished and mixed 50 and released 30 songs. I am a perfectionist in the studio, I believe production is a art in itself.
My approach is always what's best for the song/artists and how can I make a impact on a listener from my production of a song.
Each song gets treated as it's own entity.

The Loudest Rock:   What do you feel could help the band right now?
Rich Hofherr:   Major distribution and marketing. And to be on some tours with national acts.
The music just has to be heard and everything will fall into place.

The Loudest Rock:   What goes though your mind when you write? How does your writing process work?
Rich Hofherr:   I write based on my feeling at the moment I write... mello mood = mello song, lot of energy = big rock tune..
then as a writer/producer I like to create space... sonically.

The Loudest Rock:   Now the new album is a DOUBLE 30 song cd!! Why such a ambitious move for a mostly unknown band?
Very few BIG bands even do this. Why do u htink YOU CAN?
Rich Hofherr:   Well, I CAN... I own my own studio, record label, design it and the band makes the money to release it, so I did.
The reason I did 30 songs is a little complex, but here it goes:
1 - I want fans who purchase our products to feel they are given a GREAT deal, 30 songs is impressive to alot of people
2 - I think when you give people a great deal they will tell others of the good experience they had and show it off
3 - 30 songs has ALOT of opportunities for licensing to TV, Movies, Soundtracks
4 - Various styles can cross thru a few different radio stations (in terms of style), more listeners = more product sold
5 - I think 1 CD of the same style sounds like one long song, and that makes people only want ONE song from a CD
6 - 30 songs are ALOT of songs to download off the internet, almost too much time to waste, it's easier to purchase for $10
7 - It's better to have song's in the listener's hands than sitting on my wall doing nothing....
8 - The songs are good

The Loudest Rock:   Any plans on touring the new album NY/NJ or even OH maybe?
Rich Hofherr:   We will be touring and playing everywhere we can after the new year,
check our website www.7thheavenband.com for our current tour schedule.

The Loudest Rock:   Now for our question we ask ALL our interviwees. If you were to create the perfect band who would be in it?
Rich Hofherr:   4 Singers - Bono, Sting, Brandon (Incubus) Michael Jackson / Guitar's - Tom Morrello, Warren DeMartini,
George Lynch / Bass - John Taylor (Duran Duran )/ Keyboards - Nick Roads, Howard Jones, Neil Peart - Drums

The Loudest Rock:   Any parting words for the new fans?
Rich Hofherr:   Take a listen thru the CD's, there will be something there for you.

Rich, thank you for the time. We wish you the best on the new album and the band.
We hope to hear and see more of you guys real soon!