It has been fifteen years, and still Hot Water Music is playing to huge crowds of fans. In 1993, this foursome came together in such a nonchalant way, not even realizing what would come of their newest project. Bass player, Jason Black told PRICK, “We were playing in two separate bands at the time. After the singers of both bands left, we just came together as one band. Like, ‘This is what we have left over, so let's go from here.’” An inspiration to young bands everywhere, HWM has shown that the old feeling of musicians coming together for music’s sake instead rock stardom is always going to be the most successful bet.

Some of their own music favorites probably follow the same motto at heart. You might wonder what those favorites are and what has influenced their music over the years and the fact of the matter is that all music influences these four. Black tells us that their influences are, “really, just about anything you can imagine. We're all huge music fans so it's very difficult to put a finger on any one artist that is more influential to us than another.” Their music has gone through different periods of the musicians lives, it has withstood the trials and tribulations, it has made a difference in the life of others, but simply put Black says, “We've gotten better, I think. We've been playing together long enough at this point that the band is basically second nature.” A nature that has kept their fan base poised and plentiful.
 

Even in a time of despair for their fans, HWM wasn’t gone for good. We poked and prodded and tried to get some dirt, but the truth is the truth. The break up was simply a break, Black tells us. Now, to many a delight, they have reunited for several shows. “Things just fell into place, for once. There wasn't an impetus, necessarily, aside from us just wanting to see if it would work.” As far as the future, well, it could be tricky for HWM. “We're still not cooking up schemes for a full tour. We'll keep playing shows here and there, yes. A new album is something we'd love to do, but it's going to be a hard thing to get with how busy we all are.”

As far as tattoos go, Black is a fan of the art, but not an obsessive. He has gotten most of his work done by friends and he says, “I'm pretty lucky, I suppose, at least for the good ones.” Style is not particularly of importance and many of his tattoos are to commemorate moments in his life. For instance his cross-tribute to the Bouncing Souls and his favorite tattoo which is for his wife. And of his thoughts on the commercialization of tattoos, “That happens to everything. It'll die down again. I do like it being a little less shocking for everyone. Makes going out to dinner less stressful.” A simple man in a simple band that is inspiring to thousands. He could probably use a little less stress in his life. If you missed them this year, then send them many MySpace messages about coming to your town!