An Interview with
'Greg Haptor'
L.A. Based Singer/Guitarist
& Owner of 5 O' Clock Hero Music
that took place early April 2025.
Interviewed by Glenn Milligan.
Glenn: Who and what originally got you into music?
Greg: I have always been a lover of music since I was a kid. I remember by Mom's metallic pea green Buick station wagon where me and my friends would sit in the very back, with no seatbelts of course, and listen to her 8 tracks coming through the speakers. We would put our ears on the speakers and the grills would put indents in our face.
Throughout my childhood we had a piano in my home that my Mom played, but I was an athlete growing up and never paid much attention to learning an instrument, yet music was always a huge part of my life. Bands like The Cure, Tears for Fears, and I think my senior year in High School I listened to Led Zeppelin for a year straight.
I started playing a little guitar in college, and I immediately started to write songs. They just came out. I learned by buying music books of artists who’s songs I wanted to play. I’d look up a chord if I didn’t know it…but I truly didn’t want to pursue music seriously until I discovered Paul Weller.
As an American, that is kind of unusual, but one of my close friends was a huge fan and his first Solo Album, which is still one of my favorites of his, really got me hooked and then 'Wildwood' came out and it was over for me. I discovered him backwards.
Then got into the Style Council and then The Jam. I remember watching the documentary 'Highlights and Hang Ups' and I really admired who he was as an artist and what music meant to him and what he stood for artistically. I’ve had the opportunity to meet him a few times over the years and he’s super cool…
And then there would be The Beatles and John Lennon…I could go on about them too...
Glenn: How would you describe the style of Greg Haptor, both musically and vocally if you had to in order to get book or noticed above others in general?
Greg: I feel I write well crafted songs with good catchy melodies and they all don’t sound the same. I have so many influences and it all shows up in my music. I like to write in different styles or flavors because listening to an album of 10 songs that sound the same doesn’t excite me. I would consider my music, singer songwriter with a focus on pop rock. I don’t like to box myself in as genre because I write rockers and mellow piano ballads.
Glenn: What were the 1st songs you wrote and what do you think of them when you look back on them now?
Greg: I started to write songs when I first started to play guitar. One actually ended up on an album I released in 2017 called 'One Night'. I always felt the melodies were good even if the structures needed some work. The first song I ever wrote was called 'Looking Out My Window' basically a song about self reflection, which a lot of my songs end up being about….I could probably put a fresh spin on some of those old ones..still some good ideas...
Glenn: Tell us about the songs you are most proud of that you've written?
Greg: I really like one of my last singles called 'Meant To Be'. Well crafted, great melody in the Chorus, and a great bridge. Paul Weller's Drummer, Ben Gordelier did the drums on it and really gave it a cool vibe. I hadn’t written a song in a while and was afraid the well was dry, but then that one came out and I was like phew….Another song I am proud of is off my first self titled album called 'Wouldn’t Change A Thing'.
One night I was watching the Movie 'Ray' with Jamie Foxx and I finished it around 1am, then went at sat at the piano and that song came out. I love the chords and the bridge again. Not a basic 4 chord song. That is where my Randy Newman and Tom Waits influences came in, I think…. just good songwriting. That song would be a great song for a crooner!!!
Glenn: In what ways would you say online digital platforms have helped you?
Greg: Digital platforms is a great way to get your music to people all over the world. It is still very hard for a local unknown artist to reach a lot of people without touring. I have used some playlist promotions services that have worked pretty well recently. I can see where my songs are being streamed and it’s pretty cool. Be careful out there though as well, as there are many scam promotion sites that promise 'organic' streams and they are bot farms. I got caught up in one and it is a problem for the music distribution services.
Glenn: Would you say it's harder or easier for an artist to get noticed these days?
Greg: I think harder as there is so much music out there and anyone can record and release music these days with technology. It’s great that anyone can do it now, but it does make it harder to stand out. It still takes money and investment to truly 'break' an artist. Especially at the entry level….
Glenn: What's your preference – online downloading/streaming or physical product and for what reasons?
Greg: Streaming is super easy and you have access to everything at your fingertips. I am still old school though and have a decent size vinyl and CD collection. I listen to vinyl all the time. I really think there is something special dropping a needle on a record. Especially 180g. But for everyday, driving, working out, and general listening, streaming is so quick and easy. Sending links to friends and sharing music couldn’t be done the same way without streaming.
Glenn: When can we expect another full length Greg Haptor Album after releasing your self-titled debut?
Greg: I have just been releasing singles recently. If I do release more than one song, it will most likely be on an EP.
Glenn: What's your preference, acoustic or electric and why? Doe it simply depend on the song and environment?
Greg: Most of my songs are written on an acoustic guitar or piano. Some translate well to electric. I do feel if a song can shine on just an acoustic and vocals then it is a great song. I love doing acoustic shows as well as rocking out with a full band. Just a different way to present the songs and I love doing both.
If I had a choice a full band is the best because there is an energy and interaction with other musicians and that is what for me is the best part about playing live is the energy on stage and in the room with the audience.
Glenn: You have a single out called 'Second Time Around' but how was it musically, the 1st time around?
Greg: That song was written in Central Park in NY. I was in town, I believe to see a few managers and went to Strawberry Fields and the Imagine Circle. I parked myself under a tree and started playing and that song came out. Just me on acoustic guitar. then I brought it to my band at the time. Different players at the time and they put their vibe on it and it became a real catchy pop song. One of my good friends, Diego Russo, who is an amazing guitar player, did all the lead parts.
Glenn: You have had songs featured in TV Shows. Which ones and how did you manage to achieve this goal?
Greg: The first song I had on a show was called 'Say Tonight' on a show called 'Trinity' years ago. When I released my full length album, my song 'Primadonnasaurus' was on 'ER' and 'I Remember' was on 'Without a Trace'. I also had a song that I co wrote with another artist on show called 'Hawthorne'. I had met a music supervisor that liked my music and she put some songs in the shows she was working on.
Glenn: What is it like for you when you suddenly hear yourself on a TV show? It must be pretty cool and surreal right? What goes through your head at the time?
Greg: Ya, it was cool. the music was more in the background, but it did give me a sense of accomplishment and validation on what I do.
Glenn: How did the Greg Haptor Band come to be? Care to tell us about your members and their backgrounds in the music field?
Greg: My band has gone through many incarnations though my musical journey. I did take a hiatus for some time with original music. I just got burned out a bit…the 'trying to make it' route got tedious and I had some close calls and big disappointments.
I then found myself in cover bands having a blast and no stress. Doing that definitely helped me with my chops and sining too. I started a family and priorities shifted as well. So the current line-up are friends of mine.
The guitar player from my current cover band, Matt States, is a great player and can do all the cool lead parts. Dean Cameron, the bass player, is a good friend and great musician that has his own original band called 'Low Speed Chase'.
The drummer, Dennis Leeflang (of Bumblefoot/Lita Ford/Within Temptation fame), came though Dean, and Gretchen who is the singer in my cover band and my better half was singing harmonies. She’s an amazing singer and can sing anything….great harmonies, etc...
Glenn: I saw you on January 30th at Maui Sugar Mill Saloon – How was that show your own personal set from your perspective?
Greg: This was the first show with the current line up and I think it went great. The band sounded good and I felt the audience was tuned in. It was hard to hear the vocals on stage which was frustrating…
Glenn: How did the band, Vinyl Revival come to be & is it essentially the same members but you change the name to suit the occasion and venue?
Greg: This has been my cover band for the last 10-15 years. We have gone though different line-ups and songs. Right now we do a lot of 70’s rock with some 80’s and 90’s thrown in.
Glenn: What's your preference when it comes to performing your own songs or covers of other artists and why?
Greg: I like both. With covers I am playing mostly songs that I like and it’s always to a lively bar crowd. The energy is good and we have a lot of fun as a cover band. Solo gigs seem to be more intimate as the audience, hopefully, is listening more intently to my music as the songs most likely are unfamiliar to them. I just love to play live so either way it is a way to express myself.
Glenn: What songs appear to go down best? Can you put your finger on why?
Greg: I always feel the higher energy songs go over well. the band is playing with more energy and the audience picks up on that. I sometimes think the type of venue also has an effect. When I would do my acoustic gigs, some of the songs with mood and deep lyrics, would go over well as there would be complete silence and the audience is really listening to what I am singing about.
Glenn: How did you originally get to know Happenin' Harry? Care to tell us about any cool moments you have been part of due to the man himself?
Greg: I really just met him that night. Our bass player's band was playing and added me to the line up. Harry was great and I had a change to talk with him for a bit before the show.
Glenn: What led to the interest in learning about Sound Engineering? Did it take long to learn? Who originally schooled you in it?
Greg: I sort of learned on my own. I started with a Tascam Porta 4 track and would record and bounce those tracks to a cassette deck, then put the casette back in the 4 track and add more tracks to the recordings. They were very early demos. Not sure I even have those.
Then I got hired by a composer to work in his studio and I really started to learn about gear and wiring. He would buy new gear and I would have to figure out how to put it in his racks and then I spent hours in the machine room dubbing stuff to send out.
Once computer recording became more accessible, that is when I really deep dived into the tech. my studio has grown and grown over the years and I have produced and recorded bands as well. I love old vintage gear. Mics, guitars, amps, mic pres, etc…
I also learned working with the producers and mixers when it came to my own recordings. There is definitely a leaning curve and technology now is almost too good as you can make anyone sound good, even if they are average...
Glenn: I understand that you also have a Profession Recording Studio named, 5 O' Clock Hero Music. How did you decide on that name?
Greg: Influenced by The Jam song 'Just Who Is The 5 O’Clock Hero?' off the album, 'The Gift'.
Glenn: Did it take long did it take to set up and establish in the recording field? There must have been a few headaches along the way in order to make a dream a reality?
Greg: I mainly built the studio for my personal use, but do get word of mouth referrals. I am choosy about who I work with since it is at my home. I designed and wired the studio myself pretty much so I know when and why something isn’t right and can remedy it pretty quickly.
Glenn: What have been the highlights so far with regard to producing and engineering that you look back on fondly?
Greg: I think the fondest highlights are when I come up with something really special in the productions. I have sometimes done all the music on a track and surprise myself with some of the stuff I came up with. Producing is always a challenge to me and it takes time. Sometimes I prefer the artist to not be there, so I can just focus and not feel the pressure when we are on the clock..
Glenn: What artists are you currently busy with at your studio?
Greg: Right now just me. I recently recorded the vocals for a friends band called 'A Doll's House'. There is another local band that might come record but I haven’t really been out trying to bring clients in as it is still more of a personal creative space for me.
Glenn: How did many of the artists originally discover you?
Greg: Mostly word of mouth… friends, etc..
Glenn: What would you say sets your studio apart from others in the area that makes artists ultimate choose you?
Greg: I have great gear, if that is what they are looking for. Great mics, pre-amps, guitars, guitar amps, plus I am easy to work with and really want what is best for the artist and try to create a comfortable environment where they can let go and express themselves.
Glenn: What do you have forthcoming in the next few months that you'd like to discuss musically or with regard to production?
Greg: Right now I am starting to work on some new songs and revisiting some older ones that were never recorded. I found some old demos and there are some really good songs that should be completed and released.
Glenn: What have been your proudest moments in your career so far and why those particular ones?
Greg: I’d say some of my proudest moments were the completion of my first record. Me and the Producer, Paul Lani, worked super hard on it for 3 months. I think we put together a great collection of songs that represented who I am as an artist.
Next was being asked to open for Paul Weller at the House of Blues one year. (Long story but didn’t happen). Paul was one of my biggest influences when I started out and to be asked to open for him was surreal.
Glenn: What would you like to say to the folk who have gone out of their way to read this interview?
Greg: Thank you for taking your time to learn a little about me. I hope it was informative and entertaining.